Google My Business SEO 2024 (7 Tricks to Rank #1 in Google Maps)

Tim Richard

10 Nov 202306:51

Summary

TLDRThis video script offers a comprehensive guide to optimizing Google Business listings for top map rankings. It covers crucial steps such as selecting the right business category, optimizing business names for search, ensuring business location relevance, crafting keyword-rich descriptions, adding geotagged high-quality photos and videos, encouraging and responding to reviews, and optimizing linked landing pages. The tips aim to enhance local SEO, increase business authority, and improve visibility in Google Maps.

Takeaways

📌 Choose the right primary business category on Google Business to improve relevancy in specific searches.
🔍 Use the gmbb everywhere plugin to spy on competitors and determine the optimal primary category for your business.
🔑 Optimize your business name for search by including the main keyword people are searching for, while adhering to Google's policy for real business names.
📍 Ensure your business location is within the city limits of the area you want to service, or use a co-working or virtual office address.
📝 Create a keyword-rich business description that includes services offered and areas of operation to guide Google's understanding of your business.
📷 Add high-quality, geotagged photos and videos to show Google your business is active and to help it understand where your business operates.
🗳 Encourage and actively seek reviews from customers, as they are a powerful ranking factor, and be sure to respond to both positive and negative feedback.
🌐 Optimize the landing page linked from your Google Business profile with relevant keywords, consistent business information, and an embedded Google map.
🔗 Seek backlinks from local businesses or news outlets to increase your local market relevance and authority, which can improve your Google ranking.
🔄 Link out to other local businesses from your local page to show Google you are affiliated with the local community, enhancing your local SEO.
📈 Follow these actionable SEO steps for your Google Business profile to improve your ranking in the coveted Google Map section.

Q & A

What is the significance of ranking a Google Business listing in the map section?
-Ranking a Google Business listing in the map section is crucial because 46% of Google searches are for local businesses, and over 50% of those local searchers click on the Google Map Pack, which is the first map section that appears in search results.
How can I determine the best primary business category for my Google Business listing?
-To determine the best primary business category, use the gmbb everywhere plugin to spy on competitors and see what category the top-ranking businesses in your desired keywords are using, then choose the same category.
Why is optimizing the business name for search important for Google Business rankings?
-Optimizing the business name for search is important because it helps Google understand the relevance of your business to specific search terms. Including the main keyword people are searching for in your business name can improve your ranking.
What is the role of the business location in Google Business rankings?
-The business location plays a role in rankings because Google presents businesses based on location, often showing those in close proximity to the searcher. If your business location is not within the city limits of the city you're targeting, you should consider using a co-working or virtual office within the city as your business location.
How can a keyword-rich business description help with Google Business rankings?
-A keyword-rich business description helps Google understand what your business is about, what services you offer, and where you operate. This information assists Google in determining the relevance of your listing to specific searches.
Why are high-quality, geotagged photos and videos important for a Google Business listing?
-High-quality, geotagged photos and videos are important because they help Google verify that you are a real and active business in your service area. Geotagging also helps Google understand where your business operates.
What is the impact of reviews on Google Business rankings?
-Reviews are a powerful ranking factor. The more four or five-star reviews you have, the more established and trusted Google sees your business, leading to higher rankings.
How should I respond to reviews to improve my Google Business ranking?
-You should encourage and respond to both positive and negative reviews. This shows that you care about customer feedback and are an active, engaged business, which Google values.
Why is optimizing the landing page linked from the Google Business listing important?
-Optimizing the landing page is important because it should be relevant to the specific service and area listed on your Google Business page. It should contain relevant keywords and consistent business information, which Google values for local SEO.
How can backlinks from other local businesses or news outlets improve my Google Business ranking?
-Backlinks from other local businesses or news outlets can improve your ranking by showing Google your relevance in the local market and increasing your authority, which helps you rank higher in local searches.
What is the gmbb everywhere plugin, and how can it help with Google Business optimization?
-The gmbb everywhere plugin is a free Chrome extension that allows you to spy on competitors' Google Business listings. It can help you identify the primary service category that top-ranking businesses are using, which can inform your own optimization strategy.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Boosting Google Business Rankings

This paragraph discusses strategies for improving the visibility of a Google Business listing in the map section of search results. The speaker shares insights from their experience with a junk removal company that operates in over 40 cities. They emphasize the importance of Google Business listings, given that nearly half of all Google searches are for local businesses, and more than 50% of these searches result in clicks on the Google Map Pack. The speaker promises to share actionable tips for optimizing a Google Business profile, starting with choosing the right business category, which is critical for search relevance. They also mention the use of a Chrome plugin called 'Google My Business Everywhere' to spy on competitors' primary service categories, which can inform one's own category selection for better ranking.

05:01

🔍 Optimizing Google Business Profile for SEO

The second paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of optimizing a Google Business profile for better search engine optimization (SEO). It covers the importance of having a business name that includes the main keyword for the service being offered, which can help in ranking for specific search terms. The paragraph also touches on the significance of having a business location within the target city limits to appear in local search results. The speaker advises using a co-working space or virtual office if necessary. They continue with the recommendation to create a keyword-rich business description that includes services offered and areas of operation, ensuring that the information is clear and concise for Google's algorithms. Additionally, the paragraph highlights the value of adding high-quality, geotagged photos and videos to demonstrate the business's activity and location. Lastly, the importance of reviews for ranking is underscored, with the suggestion to actively seek out customer feedback and to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Google Business listing

Google Business listing refers to a business's profile on Google My Business, which is a free tool that helps businesses manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. The video emphasizes the importance of ranking high in this listing, as it is a critical factor in attracting local customers. For example, the script mentions that 46% of Google searches are for local businesses, highlighting the significance of a good Google Business listing.

💡Google Map Pack

The Google Map Pack is the first section of the search results that shows a map with local business listings. It is crucial for businesses to appear in this section as it is where most users click when searching for local services. The script explains that more than 50% of local searchers click on the Google Map Pack, indicating its importance in local SEO.

💡Business category

A business category is a classification used by Google My Business to categorize businesses and help them appear in relevant searches. The video script stresses the importance of choosing the right primary business category, as it is a key factor in Google's ranking algorithm. For instance, choosing between 'lawn care service' or 'landscaper' can impact how a business is perceived in search results.

💡GMBB Everywhere plugin

The GMBB Everywhere plugin is a Chrome extension that allows users to spy on their competitors' Google My Business listings. It reveals the primary service category of competitors, which can be used to inform one's own business category selection. The script suggests using this tool to see what category top-ranking businesses in a similar field are using.

💡Business name optimization

Optimizing a business name for search involves including relevant keywords that potential customers might use when searching for services. The video explains that including the main keyword in the business name can help improve search rankings. For example, 'Big Mike's Denver Lawn Care' would be more effective than just 'Big Mike's' for a business looking to rank for lawn care services in Denver.

💡Location relevance

Location relevance is the idea that businesses that are physically located in or near the area they serve are more likely to rank higher in local search results. The script advises businesses to ensure their listed location is within the city limits of their target market, suggesting the use of co-working spaces or virtual offices if necessary.

💡Keyword-rich business description

A keyword-rich business description is a detailed and informative description of a business that includes relevant keywords to improve search visibility. The video script emphasizes crafting a compelling description that tells potential customers and Google about the business, its services, and its operational areas, which helps Google understand and rank the business more effectively.

💡Geotagging

Geotagging is the process of adding geographical information to photos or videos, indicating where they were taken. The video suggests using tools like tools.geotagger.com to tag images with specific locations, which can help Google understand where a business operates. This is particularly useful for businesses that want to show their presence in a specific service area.

💡Reviews

Reviews are user-generated feedback on a business, which can significantly influence its online reputation and search ranking. The video script highlights the importance of encouraging and responding to reviews, as they are a powerful ranking factor. It suggests that businesses should actively ask customers for reviews and respond to both positive and negative feedback to show engagement and build trust.

💡Landing page optimization

Landing page optimization involves making a webpage relevant and appealing to both users and search engines. The video script advises linking the Google My Business listing to a relevant page on the business's website that includes relevant keywords, the business's name, address, and phone number, and an embedded Google map. This helps enhance local SEO and increase the chances of appearing in local map searches.

💡Backlinks

Backlinks are links from one website to another. The video script mentions that getting backlinks from other local businesses or news outlets can increase a business's authority and relevance in the local market, which in turn can improve its search ranking. It also suggests linking out to other local businesses from the business's local page to show affiliation and community involvement.

Highlights

Google Business listings are crucial for local businesses, as 46% of Google searches are for local businesses and over 50% of those searchers click on the Google Map Pack.

Choosing the right primary business category is critical for Google Business rankings and can be optimized by using the gmbb everywhere plugin to spy on competitors.

Optimizing your business name for search by including the main keyword can improve your ranking for specific services.

Having the business location within the target city limits can help in ranking, and using a co-working or virtual office within the city can be an alternative.

Creating a keyword-rich business description and choosing the right services can help Google understand your business better and improve your ranking.

Adding high-quality, geotagged photos and videos can assist Google in understanding where your business operates and show that you are an active business.

Encouraging reviews and responding to them is a powerful ranking factor, with more four-five-star reviews leading to higher rankings.

Optimizing the landing page linked from your Google Business profile with relevant keywords and consistent business information can enhance local SEO.

Embedding a Google map on the landing page and getting backlinks from local businesses or news outlets can increase your authority and help in ranking higher.

Linking out to other local businesses from your local page and having them link back to you can show Google your relevance in the local market.

Google Business listings are not something to cut corners on, emphasizing the importance of proper optimization.

The gmbb everywhere plugin can be used to spy on competitors and see their primary service category, which can be mimicked for better ranking.

Including the location of your business in the area you want to service is crucial for showing up in local search results.

A compelling business description that includes services and areas of operation can guide Google in understanding your business better.

Geotagging images and videos in your service area can help Google understand where your business operates.

Asking for reviews and providing a direct link to leave a review can significantly increase the number of reviews your business receives.

Responding to both positive and negative feedback shows that you care and can improve your ranking by showing you are an active and engaged business.

Consistency of business information across the web, including the landing page, is valued by Google and can enhance your local SEO.

Linking out to other local businesses and having them link back to you can show affiliation and activity in the local community, improving your ranking.