Although it’s true that many modern consumers prefer to purchase the services and products they need online when they can, sometimes nothing short of a local solution will do. 

And while some of your customers may well turn to friends or family for recommendations on occasion, you can bet they’re still using Google to see what their options are.

They’re searching for local lunch spots on the fly when they find themselves in unfamiliar neighborhoods. They’re Googling for the best mechanics in town when they need someplace to take their car for emergency repairs. 

And Google Maps is helping them find what they’re looking for. 

Here’s how you can use this powerful tool to take your SEO campaign to the next level, too.

9. Watch your SERP rankings

Whether you’re focusing strictly on Google Maps SEO right now or looking for ways to streamline your entire approach to optimization, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your SERP rankings. 

You can check on this by either performing a manual search for your targeted keywords or using a rank monitoring tool to keep track of it for you.

And frequently research new longtail keywords to add to your campaign, as well. Always include qualifiers and local identifiers to help localize your choices.

10. Engage with locals

Localized engagement is another factor that Google considers a huge deal when it comes to Google Maps SEO, so don’t forget to be active in your community and engage with audience members in your area. 

You’re a lot more likely to be seen as a valued member of the community.

Value-rich engagement can take many forms, so you have room for creativity here. 

Getting physically involved in local events increases the likelihood of mentions and shoutouts, so that’s one way. 

You can also promote linked content and encourage further engagement by actively reaching out to other local businesses online.

Some folks forget that offline interactions often bleed into the digital space—think about a quick Instagram post from a happy customer after meeting you at a Saturday craft fair or someone tagging your business after a community clean-up. These tiny, seemingly throwaway acknowledgments on social media can send subtle signals to Google’s algorithm that your business isn’t just an island online; you actually matter in your neighborhood. It’s less about some formula and more about layering real-world trust with your digital footprint.

Even small gestures can snowball into bigger perceptions. Maybe you sponsor a local soccer team or just hand out free coffee on a cold morning—doesn’t have to be grand. The reality is, people talk, and when they talk online, it counts double. If you sound like a real part of the place you operate, Google’s more likely to notice, but more importantly, so are those potential customers who haven’t met you yet.

How Do I Rank Keywords on Google Maps?

Choosing the right keywords is always important when it comes to any aspect of a well-rounded SEO strategy. 

But remember, Google Maps SEO is all about polishing your local online presence and establishing yourself as a valuable member of your community. 

That means paying a lot of attention to longtail keywords.

Again, great longtail keyword choices for local businesses looking to boost rankings contain qualifiers that correspond to user intent. 

For example, let’s say you’re the proud owner of a local auto shop in Aurora, Illinois, and want to raise your business’s visibility. Some longtail examples to consider might include:

• “auto shops near me”
• “best Aurora IL auto shop”
• “affordable auto body shop in Aurora”
• “affordable oil change near me”

And every local business owner is encouraged to research and consider other clever options that might apply to their clientele, location, or industry, as well.

Is It Legal to Scrape Google Maps?

Web scraping is a practice used to extract, collect, and organize various types of data from around the web. This is typically done via computer software designed especially for the purpose.  

Scraping in and of itself has existed for multiple decades and isn’t illegal. Search engines actually use a form of it to index online content in the first place. 

SEO software developers also use it to provide users with timely, accurate analytics data.

However, there’s a decidedly shady side to data scraping, as well. For example, some companies data-scrape as an easy way to gain a big advantage over their competition. 

There are also potential copyright issues involved. Plus, the speed and volume with which many data scrapers collect information can harm a website’s delicate infrastructure.

That said, scraping public data from Google Maps or anywhere isn’t necessarily illegal. But it can easily lead you into territory that is, so proceed with caution.

How Do I Increase Search Results in Google Maps?

If you ultimately find that you’re still having trouble getting your company to show up in the right localized searches, you’ll naturally want to improve that aspect of your Google Maps SEO. Here are some tips that should help you immensely.

Verify all your locations

Always double-check to make sure all of your current business locations are verified. 

Verified results are infinitely more likely to show up in any localized search. 

Yes, this includes Google Maps, but it also covers standard Google searches.

Update information as soon as it changes

The last thing you want is for an excited would-be customer to decide to check out your business only to find out that the phone number or address they found online isn’t accurate. They’ll find it harder to accept the legitimacy of your business. 

So always keep your information detailed and up to date as things change for your business.

Include your products

When relevant, always include photos and other information about your products on your Google My Business profile. 

The more Google knows about what your business sells, the easier it will be to serve your page up to customers who are looking for those items.

Pay special attention to your operational hours

There are more than a few business owners out there who are great at updating contact details or uploading new photos on a regular basis but somehow space updating their business hours. 

Anytime your hours change for any reason – including seasonal sales, holidays, or community events – be sure that information is reflected on your business profile, website, and social media pages.

Don’t forget reviews

Google does notice how you and your staff handle customer reviews. Show it you can be trusted with people’s business by responding to every review you get. 

Thank happy customers for their business, and address the concerns of unhappy ones, asking what you can do to make it right.

Wrap-Up

Whether you’re looking to boost your Google Maps SEO, improve your SERP rankings, or something else entirely, you won’t get where you need to be without plenty of high-quality, keyword-rich content. 

But producing all that content by yourself is a tall order.