Top 3 Ranking Factors for Google My Business (GMB)

18 Jun Top 3 Ranking Factors for Google My Business (GMB)

Introduction to Google My Business

Google My Business (GMB), also known simply as Google Business, is a powerful, free tool designed to help local businesses manage how they appear across Google’s platforms, including Google Search and Google Maps. As a cornerstone of local SEO, GMB allows businesses to showcase essential information—like business hours, address, and contact details—directly in local search results. By claiming and optimising your Google My Business profile, you can ensure your business stands out in local searches, making it easier for customers to find you when they need your products or services most.

An optimised GMB listing not only increases your chances of appearing in the coveted local pack (the map and business listings that show up at the top of local search results) but also helps drive more traffic to your website and physical location. For local businesses looking to improve their local search ranking and overall search visibility, Google My Business is an essential part of any local SEO strategy.

Top 3 Ranking Factors for Google Business Profile (GMB)

Local business listings are a key driver of local SEO via search and maps. Understanding the top 3 ranking factors for Google Business Listings will go a long way in setting your business up for local success. Local ranking factors play a crucial role in determining your visibility in local results, and implementing effective local SEO strategies—such as optimising local business listings and managing online reviews—can significantly improve your search performance. Creating a profile is easy and will get you one step closer to being there at the right place, at the right time when people are looking for goods or services near them.

“Hey Google / Siri, find my nearest mechanic!“

Nowadays, when we need to find a local mechanic, florist, or café, it is as easy as asking the question (voice search) or a quick online search using Google. Over 80% of all customers who do a local search on their phones visit that business on the same day. In 2021, “near me” searches jumped by a whopping 900%. Positive reviews and online reviews are essential for improving your business’s presence in local results and ensuring your local listings stand out to potential customers.

So, what does this mean?

It has never been more important to have an optimised, active Google My Business listing. In a competitive world, knowing how to get your listing to appear above a related business can be tricky. Understanding Local SEO will get you a step above the rest. Positive Google reviews can greatly enhance your business’s visibility and reputation, making you more attractive to local customers.

Here are our top 3 local search ranking factors for Google My Business:

1. Relevance

Relevance determines the best match between local businesses and a user’s search. When we want to find a local barber, we don’t want a nail salon popping up. It is important to ensure that a business profile is as accurate as possible. Optimising your web pages for local SEO by including relevant keywords and strong on-page signals—such as accurate NAP details and mobile-friendliness—can significantly improve your visibility in local search results. Here are the essentials for setting this up correctly:

• Include target words and phrases in your description.
• Optimise your title tag and landing page with relevant keywords to improve on-page signals and on-page ranking factors.
• Choose the right business category.
• Place a marker on Google Maps.
• Add photos.
• Fill in all information such as opening hours, address, contact details and email, for example.

2. Distance

Distance is a local ranking factor that determines how far away the location is from the user. If the person searching does not specify a location, then a range of results will display that are around the user’s location.

Distance is a key ranking factor where Google values four core things:

• Business Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Website URL

Maintaining accurate and consistent business information across all platforms is crucial for both physical locations and service area businesses, as it can significantly impact local rankings. For service area businesses, optimising business information helps target customers in specific geographic areas beyond just a physical storefront. Local companies benefit from ensuring their details are correct, as distance directly influences their visibility in local SERPs, with businesses closer to the searcher more likely to appear in the map pack and local listing.

How successful you are in ranking for distance will depend on how much and how consistently your digital footprint is – i.e., keep your information up to date on all platforms, social media, website and of course Google Business.

3. Prominence

Are you popular? I know this may seem an odd question, but Google measures the prominence of a business based on several factors such as:

• Search Engine ranking
• Link building
• Domain authority
• Testimonials and Google Reviews
• Visibility on social platforms
• Local link building and acquiring links from other sites and other websites with high linking domain authority to improve local SEO ranking and search engine rankings

In addition, positive online reviews and strong organic search results contribute significantly to your business’s local ranking and help you rank higher in local search rankings and local SEO ranking factors.

Google Business Visibility

Maximising your Google Business visibility is crucial for local businesses aiming to connect with potential customers in their area. When your GMB listing is fully optimised, your business is more likely to appear in local search results, making it easier for people searching for your products or services to find you. This increased visibility in search results can lead to more website visits, higher foot traffic to your store, and ultimately, greater sales and revenue.

By focusing on your GMB visibility, you ensure that your business is front and centre when local customers are searching for what you offer. In today’s competitive landscape, standing out in local search is key to attracting new customers and growing your business within your local community.

Google My Business visibility

With any business, the goal is to be found online. Google My Business is an essential part of this. Optimising your Google Business Profile is crucial for improving your Google ranking and increasing visibility on mobile devices, where most local searches happen. With over 3.5 billion Google searches carried out daily, we think that prioritising your listing is an absolute prerequisite for success. Managing your local listing and improving your local pack rankings are key components of a comprehensive local SEO campaign. It’s as simple as getting the basics right and utilising this great asset to generate more leads and customers for your business.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about how to get found via GMB or discuss the ranking factors for Google Business. Remember, understanding local search ranking factors and the elements that affect local SEO rankings is just the beginning—ongoing optimisation is essential for lasting results. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing how we can help you find more local customers.