What is local SEO?
SEO Definition and Examples
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing a business's online presence to appear in geographic search results — "dentist near me" or "restaurant London".
Full Definition: What is local SEO
Local SEO covers all the optimization strategies that help a business appear in SERPs with geographic intent. The main components: a complete, up-to-date Google Business Profile (the Google Maps listing), NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across all online platforms, authentic Google reviews, local citations (directory listings), localized content on the site (per-city pages, community articles) and backlinks from local sites. The most visible result: the Local Pack (the block of 3 businesses and a map in the SERP).
Why Does Local SEO Matter for SEO?
"Near me" is one of the most frequent search types, growing 25% year over year. 76% of mobile searches with local intent result in a visit to a physical business within 24 hours (Google).
Source: Google Business Profile HelpFrequently Asked Questions about Local SEO
Related Terms
Keyword Research
BeginnerKeyword research is identifying the words and phrases your target audience searches for on Google, so you can create content that answers those searches.
Schema Markup (Structured Data)
AdvancedSchema markup is structured data in JSON-LD format added to a page's HTML that helps Google and LLMs understand the context and type of the content.
Backlink
BeginnerA backlink is a hyperlink placed on an external site that points to a page on your site, signalling authority and relevance to Google.
Google Search Console
BeginnerGoogle Search Console is Google's free tool showing how your site appears in search: which keywords bring traffic, which pages are indexed, which errors exist.
Put Local SEO into practice
Explore how to apply this concept to your industry and city.
