At Simplexity Marketing Group, we are often approached by local small businesses that want to rank in Google Local Search. They are always curious how Google determines who ranks where and how their business can go about improving their rankings.
When we are asked this question, we first point our potential clients to a Google Support Form: Here is the Google Local Search Form for Google My Business
Here Google states three important factors for ranking in the local results of Google:
Distance: How far away is your business from the searcher? Are their similar types of businesses closer? If so, the closer ones may have a better chance of showing up first.
Relevance: Does your local listing match what the searcher is looking for? If you are categorized as a pediatrician, you’ll have a better chance of showing up when a parent is looking for a dentist for their child compared to the categorization of general dentist.
Prominence: How well know is your business? Do you have articles that link to your webpage? What about correct and up to date business information? All of these things matter and are taken into affect for a business local listing.
Possible Additional Factors:
According to the 2014 Moz Local Search Engine ranking factors 40 Experts in the local search field believe other factors also contribute to the local search rankings of businesses. The following are believed to play a factor in the algorithm.
Reviews: Review quantity, how often you are getting reviews and your review diversity.
Social Signals: Google + Authority, Facebook Likes, Twitter Followers, ect.
