Local businesses that want to rank higher in local search results will need to focus on optimizing their websites and local listings for local SEO.
The local SEO ranking factors are more important than ever in 2022 because of Google’s changes to its algorithm, which now favors local businesses with a physical location.
Alignment Online Marketing is a digital marketing agency specializing in local SEO services for small and medium-sized business owners with brick and mortar locations. We offer website design, content writing, social media management, email marketing campaigns, PPC advertising (including Google Adwords), video production, and more!
What Is Local SEO?
In a nutshell, local SEO is the process of improving a local business’ local search rankings in local search results pages.
Local SEO is the process of improving a local business’ local search rankings in local search results pages. This can be done by optimizing a local business’ website for local SEO, as well as its local listings.
What Are the Most Important Local Seo Ranking Factors? Here Are the Top Local Seo Ranking Factors for Local Businesses in 2022:
Local Seo Ranking Factor #1 – Citations & Reviews
Local citations and reviews have become integral local SEO ranking factors in 2022. Review signals are now being used by Google local listings, local + mobile universal pack listings, local search engine results, schema markup verification sites, the Moz local toolbar SERP feature checker, and more!
Local Seo Ranking Factor #2 – Company Name
One of the essential local SEO ranking factors in 2022 is your business’s name and how it appears across all local listings. The local SEO ranking factors include your local business name, local business category and keyword targeting, and local business keywords in the title tag and meta description.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #3 – Address
Another local SEO ranking factor is address accuracy, or having a geocoded address that matches your local business’ actual location. Many local search results show local companies worldwide that are not local! The local SEO ranking factors for address accuracy include having a local business category, local business name, local business keywords in the title tag, and meta description.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #4 – NAP Consistency
This includes having your information listed on directories across the web with the same name, address, and phone number. Having your local business information listed on local directories helps you rank higher in local search results and helps provide users with the exact local business they are looking for when performing local searches from their mobile devices.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #5 – Localized Page Titles
Moz stated that a page’s local SEO ranking factor score is “determined by how many local terms are used in the page title, as well as external links pointing back to the page.”
Local Seo Ranking Factor #6 – Local Keywords in the Main Content
This local SEO ranking factor includes local keywords in your meta description, content title tags, and local business category. Using local keywords throughout your site’s copy helps you rank for local searches and increases click-through rates (CTR). The local SEO ranking factors state that Google uses local keywords in local search results, local business pack listings, local mobile universal pack listings, and local SERP snippets to determine local rankings.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #7 – Local Mobile Optimization
Small businesses concerned with their website visitors from desktop computers can overlook this local SEO ranking factor. But local mobile searches now outpace local searchers on desktop local search engines. The local SEO ranking factors include local business listing verification (Google), local item and location extensions (Google Adwords), Google My Business, Schema markup optimizer, and more!
Local Seo Ranking Factor #8 – Location Keyword Targeting
This local SEO ranking factor includes local keywords in local business title tags, local business meta descriptions, local content copy, local NAP consistency across local directories and local social media sites.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #9 – Schema Markup
Schema markup is code that helps Google do a better job of understanding your website’s data. The local SEO ranking factors include local business schema markup, local business review schema markup, local event schema markup, local recipe schema markup, and local archive schema.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #10 – Local Directories
Local directories are a local SEO ranking factor because local search engines use local directories to determine local rankings. The local SEO ranking factors include local business name, address, and phone number on local business directory listings across the web.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #11 – Pictures of Your Local Business Offering from Multiple Angles
The local SEO ranking factors include having your local business listed on local business directories with multiple pictures, Google Local Pack photos, Google Maps images, local business logos, and local business URLs.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #12 – Location-Specific Content (Nearby Restaurants)
The local SEO ranking factor includes location-specific content that local search engines give local rankings to. The local SEO ranking factors include local businesses offering local deals, local events, local customer reviews, and local news relevant to the local company’s industry.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #13 – Social Media Presence
The social media pages for your local business should be filled with appropriate keywords and regional content to help local search engines find your local business. The local SEO ranking factors include local business social media profiles, local business social media posts with location information, local business information across the web, local customer reviews on local directories, and profile links to social media sites. Building your brand awareness is an important task and social media can help. See how to measure brand awareness for more info.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #14 – Google My Business for Boosting Local Search Rankings
The local SEO ranking factors include local business information on local directories with local keywords, reviewing local keywords across social media sites, having a regional customer reviews strategy, and having a local NAP consistency. These local SEO ranking factors apply to your local listing on Google.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #15 – Offline Marketing
The local SEO ranking factors include a local address on your local business website, local directories listing with local keywords, and local phone numbers listed with local NAP consistency. These local SEO ranking factors apply to all marketing sources for your local business, from offline ads to social media pages.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #16 – Backlinks
The local SEO ranking factors include local links on local business directories across the web, local links on local social media sites, and local links to local content. These local SEO ranking factors apply to local websites, blogs, and social media pages with local keywords that link back to your local business’s website.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #17 – On-Page Optimization
Optimize local business website content with local keywords across local directories, local social media sites, and local pages on the local business website. The local SEO ranking factor is to optimize local business title tags, meta descriptions, headings, copy on the local business website.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #18 – Reviews
The local SEO ranking factors include local customer reviews across local directories, local social media sites, and local pages on the local business website. The local SEO ranking factor is structured data markup for each review with local keywords in the local review snippet.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #19 – Thorough Website Optimization for local SEO
The local SEO ranking factors include local keywords in local reviews, local reviews across local directories and local social media sites, local studies on the local business website. The local SEO ranking factor is having a local landing page optimized with the exact keywords as the rest of the site.
Local Seo Ranking Factor #20 – Get Featured on local Business Listings
The local SEO ranking factors include local businesses listing with local keywords and local business profiles with local keywords. The local SEO ranking factor is to get business information on local directories with proper NAP listings, consistent NAP listings across the web, and complete social media profiles that link back to your website.
How local SEO ranking factors have changed in 2022
The local SEO ranking factors in 2022 are not much different from the local SEO ranking factors in 2021. Local businesses need to make sure their local listings are consistent across the web, optimize local business website content with local keywords, and have local customer reviews for regional rankings. However, local search engines are beginning to promote websites with good online marketing strategies. Google has encouraged local business websites with more than local customer reviews, directory listings, and local NAP consistency. Those local businesses with local SEO strategies beyond local SEO ranking factors will rank higher in local search results.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, more and more people have searched online for local contactless services and business opportunities. Local businesses that want to rank higher in local search results will need to focus on local SEO strategies and local listings for local content and local customer reviews too.
The Importance of Local Seo for Businesses with A Physical Location
A local business with local SEO strategies will take local rankings to the next level. The local SEO ranking factors are not much different from local search ranking factors in 2021, and there are some additions to local SEO strategies for 2022. Local businesses can now use social media platforms to rank higher organically in local search results by adding local keywords on local social media profiles and local links to local content. Finally, local businesses that want to rank higher in local search results will need to focus on optimizing their websites and local listings for local SEO.
Alignment Online Marketing’s Local Seo Services and How They Can Help You Rank Higher on Google Search Results
Alignment Online Marketing offers local SEO services with local SEO strategies to local businesses with physical locations. The local SEO ranking factors are not much different from local search ranking factors in 2021, and there are some additions to local SEO strategies for 2022. More and more people are searching online for local contactless services and business opportunities. Local businesses that want to rank higher in local search results will need to focus on local SEO strategies and local listings for local content and local customer reviews too.
Alignment Online Marketing’s local SEO services can help your business find more customers through increased visibility in local search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. We do this by getting your business to boost local rankings for local keywords, local reviews, and local customer reviews.
On top of local SEO services, Alignment Online Marketing will also work with your business to create local social media profiles that link back to your website. By using both local search engine optimization and local social media marketing together, you can get found by more customers in local searches than ever before.
Contact local SEO experts at Alignment Online Marketing today to discuss local SEO services for local business websites, local listings on local directories with proper NAP listings, and consistent NAP listings across the web. Our local SEO advisor will listen to your needs and help you build a regional search engine optimization strategy that is right for your local business.
Did You Know That Google Local Searches Will Grow By 42% in 2021?
Did you know local search engine traffic and local SEO rankings will grow by 42% in 2021? Because local businesses that want to rank higher in local search results will need to focus on optimizing their websites and local listings for local SEO. Google has been promoting local business websites that have more local content. Google local search results now have local-style local packs with local customer reviews and local business information from local websites. The local SEO ranking factors are not much different from local search ranking factors in 2021, and there are some additions to local SEO strategies for 2022.
Are you looking to increase your visibility in local search engines?
Local SEO is more crucial than ever before. Ranking higher in local search results can help you find more customers through increased visibility.
Alignment Online Marketing is one of the top SEO companies and we can help you rank higher in local search results with local SEO services that focus on optimizing your website and local listings for local content and local customer reviews.
Contact us today to learn more about our local SEO services and how we can help your business rank higher in local search engine results!
FAQ for Local Seo Ranking Factors
What is the local SEO ranking factors that are most important in local search results?
Your local SEO strategy should include local listings on local directories and consistent local listings across the web. It would be best to rank higher in local search results for local keywords, customer reviews, and local content.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO is a term used to optimize your business's website to be found by local customers through local search engine results. Local SEO is vital for local businesses to rank higher in local search results to be seen by local customers at the top of local SERPs like Google, Yahoo and Bing.
How do I find local keywords?
You can use free online tools like Google Trends to find local keywords and local search terms.
What local SEO strategies should I include in my local search engine optimization strategy?
Your local SEO strategy should include local directory listings, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your website.
Why is local SEO important for local businesses?
Local SEO is essential for local businesses to rank higher in local search results by local customers at the top of local SERPs like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Local SEO can also help local businesses increase visibility in local search engines, which leads to more local customers.
How do I optimize my website for local SEO?
Optimizing your website for local SEO includes local SEO of local business websites, local listings on local directories with proper NAP listings, and consistent NAP listings across the web. Being found in local SERPs is very important for local businesses to rank higher in local search results. Regularly updating content on your website with local keywords is also very important for local SEO.
What local directories do I need to be listed on for local SEO?
You should include local listings on local business directories like Google Plus, Yelp, Apple Maps, and Bing Places. You should also create local NAP listings in local marketplaces like Amazon Local.
How often should I update my local SEO strategy?
Your local SEO strategy should be updated regularly. Your local SEO strategy should include local listings on local directories, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your website.
What local SEO strategies can I use to optimize my local search engine?
Your local SEO strategy should include local listings on local business directories, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your website.
How important are local customer reviews in local SEO?
Local customer reviews can be critical for local businesses to rank higher in local search results. Other local customers will see positive local reviews when searching for local business services.
How important are local keywords in local SEO?
Local keywords can be critical for local businesses to rank higher in local search results. Other local customers will see positive local reviews when searching for local business services.
How important are local social media profiles in local SEO?
Local social media profiles that link back to your local business website are essential for local businesses looking to rank higher in local search results. Your local business should have local social media profiles on local directories like Google Plus, Yelp, and Facebook.
What is the difference between local SEO and search engine optimization?
Local SEO is more important than local search engine optimization because local businesses need local SEO to rank higher in local SERPs like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Local search engine optimization does not matter if local companies can't be found on local SERPs.
What are the most crucial local SEO ranking factors?
The most crucial local SEO ranking factors include local listings in local directories, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your local business website.
What local SEO ranking factors can be used to increase local rankings?
Local SEO ranking factors that can increase local rankings include local listings in local directories, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your local business website.
How much do local customer reviews affect local rankings?
Positive local customer reviews can increase local rankings for local businesses. Local SEO with local customer reviews is crucial for local businesses to rank higher in local search results.
What are some local SEO ranking factors that I should avoid?
Local business websites that have been penalized by Google can negatively affect local rankings—not having a website or local business listings can also negatively impact local rankings.
Is local on-page SEO important for local SEO?
On-page local SEO is critical for local businesses to rank higher in local search results. On-page local SEO factors include having a local business name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistency across the web, high-quality local images with alt tags, high-quality local videos with local keywords, local schema markup, and local social media profiles link back to a local business website.
What is the importance of local listings in local SEO?
Local listings on local business directories are significant for local businesses looking to rank higher in local search results because Google uses these local listing pages as a reference when determining local rankings.
What local SEO strategies should local businesses focus on?
Local businesses should focus on local SEO ranking factors like local listings in local directories, NAP consistency across the web, and local social media profiles that link back to your local business website. Google is now using more advanced machine learning technologies to determine local rankings so having a lot of local SEO factors is very important. Google local search algorithms are updated more often than local search engine optimization algorithms, which means local businesses need local SEO more than local SEO.
I want to thank you for reading my article! If you had a good time reading this article and think it was helpful, please take a minute to share it with your friends and family. Sharing local SEO articles is very important for local businesses looking to rank higher in local search results because Google uses local social media profiles as a reference when determining local rankings.
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