Bell/Virgin’s towers are

localized to Edmonton,

even though this search

was performed from

Calgary.

The most “local” option was #6!

IP-BASED LOCATION

“USE PRECISE LOCATION”

This option is in the footer

of any Google results

page. Whether it works

depends on device settings.

IP LOCATION PRECISE LOCATION

You can tell when “use precise location” is turned on because you’ll see proximity indicators in the local pack results.

Requires manual user action, so don’t expect that the searcher being

nearby will rank you number one.

Brand

Keywords

The second result is

nearer, but the other Apple

is (obviously) a bigger

brand, so it trumps.

“New York pizza” describes a style of pizza. It’s an implied brand, so it ranks higher than pizza

places in New York.

Reviews A less dominant ranking factor, but… Better reviews doesn’t always ensure a higher rank. More reviews (indicating higher reliability and more popularity) doesn’t always improve rankings either.

What can you do as a local business?

• Create high-quality content

• Verify with Google Search Console

• Blog and engage regularly

• Complete your Google+ profile and use it

• Link to your G+ Page and profile from your website and vice-versa

• Ensure your website is mobile friendly

• Be socially active

• Use local keywords in titles, headings, and page URLs

• Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) match exactly everywhere on the web

• Claim your G+ My Business listing

• Encourage local buyers to review your company on Yelp, Google, Yellow Pages, and elsewhere

• Update your schema (advanced)

STANDARD PRACTICE LOCAL-SPECIFIC

Get the local SEO checklist:http://kyak.mobi/1B4CGjk

(Check the box to be alerted to updates.)

SCHEMA.ORGLOCALBUSINESS

ADVANCEDThere are specific

categories for different

kinds of businesses

(restaurants, pharmacies,

etc.).

LocalSearchLocal

SearchLocal

Search

What is Google Local?

“San Francisco” actually nearbyLOCALIZED LOCAL

Know the difference between localized search, and local search.Google knows your IP

address, so they can

guess what city you live in.

It’s not always precise,

though.

“LOCAL PACK” OR “LOCAL STACK”

http://localu.org/blog/name-local-carousel-replacement/

We’re going to call it the

“local pack”, but we like

“fanny pack”, too.

When does it appear?

It’s entirely up to Google

dui lawyer

dui attorney

pest removal

mold removal

real estate

realtor

computers

laptops

dui lawyer

dui attorney near Calgary

pest removal

mold removal near Calgary

real estate

realtor near Calgary

computers

laptops near Calgary

This works with other localizing terms, like “in Calgary” or simply “Calgary”, but not local terms like “near me”.

Ranking factors?Proximity

Brand

Keywords

Reviews

Reviewer reputation

Review quantity

Google+ Business Page

+ usualGooglerankingfactors

There are dozens of other

factors, but we believe

that these are weighted

more heavily.

Proximity

Often allows for longer distances

(assuming car andmore time)

Stands to reason that it will prioritize

shorter distancesfor walking.