It's no secret that Google favors complete and active Business Profiles. A quick local search will reveal that the top-ranking businesses typically have comprehensive information, ample photos, and strong reviews.
If potential customers search on Google Maps and your business isn’t showing up near the top, you could be missing out on significant business opportunities.
In 2023 alone, Google Maps was the most downloaded map and navigation app in the U.S., with 21 million downloads, despite already being pre-installed on Android devices.
So, what search engine optimization (SEO) tricks can you follow to start climbing the ranks on Google Maps?
We answer all these and more...
Why You Should Care About Ranking High on Google Maps
Ranking high on Google Maps is like having a prime location on a bustling main street. It ensures your business is easily found by potential customers searching for what you offer or related services.
Being at the top builds trust.
A top ranking signals that you're a leading choice in your area, boosting your visibility, driving more foot traffic to your location, and increasing clicks to your website, potentially leading to more sales.
These benefits highlight why businesses compete for a spot in the Google Maps Pack.
What Is the Google Maps Pack?
The Google Maps Pack, also known as the Local Pack, is like the VIP section for local businesses on Google’s search results page.
When someone searches for services or products nearby, Google highlights the top three local businesses that best match the query in this special box.
It's positioned right at the top of the search results, making it valuable digital real estate.
The Google Maps Pack not only lists business names but also provides useful details like ratings, hours of operation, and a small map snippet showing their location.
It's a fast, user-friendly way for Google users to compare options without needing to sift through multiple websites.
For businesses, securing a spot in the Google Maps Pack can significantly increase visibility and drive both online and offline customer traffic.
Google Maps SEO: How To Rank Higher on Google Maps
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start climbing the ranks like a Google Maps expert:
1. Add Your Business on Google Maps
First, get your business listed or check if it’s already there by searching for your business name on Google Maps.
If your business is not listed, you can easily add it yourself.
Log into Google Maps on your computer to add your business through one of three methods:
Type your address into the search bar. In the Business Profile section on the left, select “Add your business.”
Right-click any location on the map and choose “Add your business” from the Menu.
Click on the Menu in the top left corner and select “Add your business.”
Then, simply follow the prompts to complete the setup of your Business Profile.
Make sure to enter your business name just as it appears in your physical store. The name should also be consistent in other signages, letterhead and other brand goodies.
If you decide to edit your business name after you’ve asked for a verification letter, you’ll need to go through the process again.
Another way to add or see if your business is already listed is to sign in to your Google Account and visit business.google.com/create
A reminder for selecting business categories in setup: Pick the category that fits your business the best. Choosing the right category is crucial for how your business appears in the right search results.
You’re allowed to add up to nine additional categories. The first category you pick will be considered your primary one.
For multiple business locations, you need to have the same “Primary category,” so choose one that closely reflects what your business is all about.
2. Claim Your Google Maps Listing
When you first create your listing, you just put in the basics: name, category and location. But, once you claim it, that’s your chance to really dish about your business.
The more you share, the higher Google Maps will rank you.
Once your business is already listed, whether by you or someone else, you can claim it or ask to become the owner:
Launch Google Maps on your computer.
Type the name of your business into the search bar, then click on the correct business from the results.
Next, select “Claim this business,” followed by “Manage now.”
If you need to claim a different business, click on “I own or manage another business.”
Finally, pick how you’d like to verify ownership and complete the steps shown on your screen.
Google often reviews verification submissions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of Business Profiles, which can take around a week to complete. Once verified, you will receive a notification from Google.
If Google is unable to verify your business using your initial method, the “Get verified” will reappear. That’s your hint to try verifying your business with a different method.
3. Edit Your Google Business Profile
Once Google has verified your Business Profile, you’re able to make edits to ensure all your business information stays accurate.
To make changes to your profile directly through Google Search and Maps, here’s what you need to do:
Access your Business Profile.
For editing:
Via Google Search, click on “Edit profile.”
Via Google Maps, click “Edit profile,” then go to “Business information.”
Remember to click “Save” after each modification you apply.
You can adjust your location, opening hours, contact information and images. Providing key information helps new customers find your business and learn more about what you offer.
Let’s dive into the changes you can make to optimize your Google Business Profile in the next steps.
4. Keep Your Name, Address and Phone Number Consistent
Having an accurate name, address and phone number (NAP) is non-negotiable. Your Google Business Profile name should be the same elsewhere, as mentioned earlier.
The name in the Google Maps listing above exactly matches its storefront name. You want to follow this consistency.
For those with multiple locations, you simply add the cities after your business name on your listings.
Address: Fill in the full and exact address where your business is located. You want to make sure to add details such as suite numbers, floors, building numbers and any other unit information.
If it’s not where customers come to see you, you can skip the address part and leave it blank.
You’ll need to verify your business all over again if you move or change your address after you’ve asked for a verification letter.
For service area coverage: You can also specify service locations by cities, postal codes or regions. Defining your service area helps customers know where you’re willing to head out for visits or deliveries.
Phone numbers: Besides your main business phone, you can add up to two additional numbers, which can be either mobile or landline (just no fax numbers).
You can choose not to display your phone number on your Business Profile. Here’s how:
Head over to your Business Profile.
Click on “More,” then select “Business Profile settings.”
Access “Advanced settings.”
In the “Phone number” section, toggle the “Don’t show” option on or off to either hide or display your phone number.
5. Set Up Your Business Hours and Attributes
Getting your business hours spot on means you won’t have customers showing up only to find the door locked when they expected you to be open.
How to add the main hours your business is open for a typical week:
Open your Business Profile.
To modify your business details:
In Google Search, click on “Edit profile.”
In Google Maps, click on “Edit profile” and then “Business information.”
At the top, click on the “Hours” tab.
Click on “Edit” next to “Hours,” and choose “Open with main hours.”
For each day your business is open, tick the corresponding box.
Use the dropdown menus to specify your operating hours.
Once you’ve set your hours, don’t forget to hit “Save.”
To indicate that your business operates around the clock, simply choose “Opens at” next to each day your business is open and select “24 hours.” Then, click “Save” when you’re done.
To show that your business takes a break during its operating hours, you’ll need to make two separate time entries for the same day.
So, say your shop is open 8 AM to 3 PM on Fridays, takes a break and then reopens from 5 PM to 11 PM:
Choose Friday.
Pick “Opens at” and set it to 8:00 AM, then “Closes at” 3:00 PM.
Click “Add hours.”
Again, select “Opens at,” setting it to 5:00 PM, followed by “Closes at” 11:00 PM.
Hit “Save” to lock in those hours.
After establishing your regular hours, you have the option to add “More hours” to highlight specific services like delivery, takeout, drive-through and pickup.
Ideally, “More hours” should fall within the range of your main operating hours. For instance, a bistro open from 8 AM to 10 PM could specify:
Business hours: 8 AM to 10 PM
Happy hour: 5 PM to 7 PM
Takeout: 9 AM to 7 PM
If you prefer not to display your business hours on your profile, choose “Open with no main hours” and save your changes.
In case you’re closing down your business for more than a week, or if it’s a seasonal operation closing for the off-season, you should set its status to “Temporarily closed.”
Now, onto attributes.
Set attributes to highlight features like outdoor seating or Wi-Fi in your Business Profile, which will help you catch the eye online.
Keep in mind that some attributes might only be available based on your location or business type—think payment options, accessibility or whether your business is women-owned.
Also, attribute names might get tweaked now and then to align better with how folks search for places like yours.
Adding specific attributes to your Business Profile does more than make it look good across Google Search, Maps and other platforms.
It makes your business more visible.
When you highlight these special features, your business is more likely to show up in searches for places offering exactly what you’ve got across Google’s ecosystem.
Above is how attributes would appear on your Google Maps listing.
You can add attributes in the “More” tab when you access and edit your profile’s Business information.
6. Add Your Website, Social Links, Photos and Description
Let’s continue filling out your Google Business Profile.
Website: Based on your business type, you might find options to include extra links beyond your main website, such as links for placing online orders, making reservations or scheduling appointments.
Providing direct links means potential customers can easily find what they need, improving their overall experience.
Social media links: Adding social media links varies by region and might not be an option for everyone just yet.
If your business operates in certain areas, you can add a link for each of your social media pages right into your profile, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (previously Twitter) and YouTube.
Google has also rolled out a new feature in certain areas that automatically surfaces posts from your linked social media accounts on your Google Business Profile.
Photos: Further promote your Business Profile’s appeal by including photos or videos of your storefront, products and services. These visuals will be visible on Google once your profile is verified.
For businesses operating in 10 or more locations, there’s the convenience of uploading images through a spreadsheet.
Photos should be clear, well-lit and true to life, avoiding heavy edits or filter use. Essentially, they should mirror reality. So your photos look best on Google, follow these specifications:
Stick to JPG or PNG format.
Keep the size within 10 KB to 5 MB.
Aim for 720 px by 720 px resolution.
Ensure at least 250 px by 250 px resolution.
Adding a photo of the outside of your place helps folks spot your business easily when they drop by.
For videos, they should not exceed 30 seconds in duration, have a file size of no more than 75 MB and require a minimum resolution of 720p.
Description: “From the business” section is where you can add a brief description of your business. It’s a space where you can do a little bit of Google Maps marketing and self-promotion.
Highlight what you provide, what makes your business stand out, a bit about your journey and any other details that might be useful for customers to know.
7. Publish Posts on Your Google Business Profile
Google favors active profiles, so by using Business Profile Manager to post your offers, events, products and services, you’re directly feeding into Google Search and Map and keeping your profile vibrant and visible.
Use your Business Profile on Google Search and Maps to engage with customers, old and new. You can easily share the latest news, deals, must-have products or events straight from your profile; it’s practically like a social media channel.
How to create a post from Google Search using a computer:
Open your Business Profile.
Click on “Add Update.”
Select the kind of post you wish to create.
Enter the required information in the dialog box that appears.
Decide whether to publish your post immediately or preview it first.
8. Encourage Google Reviews and Respond to Them
Google is all for encouraging reviews, so much so that it even makes it super easy to create and share a review link straight from its platform.
How to create a Google reviews link:
Open your Business Profile.
To locate your review link:
On Google Search, click “Ask for reviews.”
On Google Maps, go to “Customers”> “Reviews”> “Get more reviews.”
Share your review link directly with customers or through the available sharing options.
Local SEO Tips To Help You Rank Higher on Google Maps
In the last two steps, we’ll explore actions you can take outside the Google Maps platform to continue promoting your visibility.
9. Embed Google Map Your Website
Even though it’s not spelled out, there’s good reason to think that adding a Google Map to your site might positively influence your visibility on Google Maps.
By embedding a Google Map on your website, you’re essentially sending more trust signals to Google that your business can indeed be found at the address in your listing.
10. Optimize Your Website Content With Local Keywords
To show up in relevant searches, use and place the right keywords on your page. These keywords are what pull your site into search results.
Aim to get your business in front of your target audience by using keywords tied closely to what you offer, especially local and long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words).
Specific phrases like “cleaning services in Savannah” signal a searcher’s strong interest in finding local services.
To start using these keywords, weave them into your website’s key areas, such as the page titles, meta description and other headings. This strategy helps you attract people actively looking for businesses like yours in your area.
In the image above, three companies appear in the search query for the mentioned keyword. While they do not target the exact keyword, Google is smart enough to detect alternatives to the keyword and keep the results relevant.
You also want to strategically place your keywords throughout your website copy on your homepage, About Us page, Contact Us page and your product and service pages.
11. Apply More Local SEO Strategies
Additionally, if it fits your strategy, churn out some blog posts, too, especially those timeless, evergreen ones that stay relevant and can spotlight your local keywords.
Here are more local SEO strategies that can impact your visibility in search results:
Claim other business citations: Get your business listed in all local directories, not only on Google Maps, and maintain consistency in your business name, address and phone number.
Collect and respond to reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your other business listings and take time to respond to them, showing you value customer feedback.
Use local Schema markup: Implement structured data markup on your site to help search engines understand your business’s local relevance.
Create local content: Publish content that speaks to local issues, events, or interests to attract a local audience.
Optimize for voice search: Include long-tail keywords in a conversational tone that people might use in voice searches.
Build your backlink profile: Earn backlinks from reputable and relevant websites to boost your site’s credibility and search ranking.
Monitor your performance: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your site’s performance and make data-driven improvements.
To add, your site should also be responsive and user-friendly on other devices. Remember, most local searches are done on mobile.
Catch you in the next article!