When people search for what you offer, they’re likely ready to buy — but if your business isn’t showing up at the top, they’re likely going elsewhere. Every spot you drop in the rankings means fewer clicks, fewer calls, and fewer customers walking through your doors.
But here’s the good news: You can earn a top spot on Google Maps. With the right tweaks, your business can climb the rankings and show up in front of ready-to-buy customers. It all comes down to Google Maps SEO — optimizing your online presence so Google sees your business as the best answer to local searches.
In this guide, we’ll cover what impacts your Google Maps ranking and 12 proven strategies to help your business rise to the top. By the end, you’ll know exactly what it takes to outrank competitors, attract more customers, and turn Google Maps into a powerful sales driver for your business.
What is Google Maps SEO?
Think about the last time you needed a nearby service — maybe a coffee shop, a plumber, or a pet store. You probably pulled out your phone, searched for “best coffee shop near me,” and clicked on one of the top results in Google Maps. That’s Google Maps SEO in action.
Google Maps SEO is the process of optimizing your business so it ranks higher in Google’s local search results — both in the Google Maps app and the Local Pack (the top three business listings that appear in search results).
The higher your business ranks, the more likely customers are to find and choose you.
Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on website rankings, Google Maps SEO is about getting your physical business location in front of local customers.
The best part is that Google Maps SEO isn’t just for big brands. Whether you’re a single-location shop or a multi-location retailer, the right strategies can help you rank higher, attract more customers, and turn local searches into sales.
Why Does Google Maps SEO Matter to Local Businesses?
You’re not an internet business — you’re a local business. You have loyal customers, great word-of-mouth, and people who love what you do. So why should you spend valuable time worrying about Google Maps SEO?
Because new customers don’t know you yet. And when they search for what you offer, they’re seeing your competitors first — even if your business is the better choice.
Imagine someone nearby searching “best [your service] near me.” They’re looking for a business just like yours, ready to book an appointment, stop by, or make a purchase. But if your business isn’t at the top of Google Maps, they won’t find you — they’ll find your competitors.
This isn’t luck — it’s strategy. But you can make sure you get seen first.
When your business is optimized for Google Maps, more people will find you first, visit your location, and become repeat customers. Instead of losing sales to competitors, you’ll get the calls, the foot traffic, and a steady stream of new business.
Plus, your business will look more professional. Like it or not, customers evaluate businesses based on their online presence. If you’re missing photos, reviews, or key business details, that could be the deciding factor in whether they choose you or go elsewhere.
Once your Google Maps presence is primed for search engines, it will keep working for you. No monthly costs or pay-to-play — just a powerful, cost-effective way to make sure the right customers find you at the right time.
Key Ranking Factors for Google Maps SEO
Google decides which businesses rank at the top of its searches based on several factors. The more aligned your business is with these factors, the higher your chances of appearing in front of potential customers.
Here’s what matters most for local searches on Google Maps:
- Relevance: How well your business matches what someone is searching for.
- Distance: How close your business is to the searcher’s location.
- Prominence: How well-known and trusted your business is, based on reviews, backlinks, and online mentions.
- Engagement: Actions like clicks, calls, website visits, and direction requests signal to Google that people are interested in your business.
- Profile completeness: A fully optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) with accurate information, photos, and categories ranks higher.
- Performance: Google considers how fast and mobile-friendly your website is, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Optimizing for these factors is the key to ranking higher, attracting more customers, and staying ahead of competitors. Next, we’ll walk through 12 proven strategies to improve your rankings in Google Maps SEO and get more customers through your doors.
12 Proven Strategies to Improve Your Google Maps SEO
1. Claim Your Google Business Profile
Before you can start optimizing for Google Maps, you need to create or claim your GBP. Without it, your business has no control over how it appears in local search results, and potential customers may see outdated or incorrect information.
How to claim your profile:
- Check if your business already has a profile by searching for your business name on Google Maps.
- If it appears, click “Claim this business” and follow the steps to verify ownership.
- If not, go to Google Business Profile and create a new listing.
- Verify your business — this may involve receiving a postcard, phone call, or video verification to prove you own or work at this business.
- Ensure all of your business details are accurate, including your name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and hours.
Claiming your GBP makes your business look more credible and professional, ensuring that customers see accurate, up-to-date information. It also gives you full control to respond to reviews, post updates, and optimize your listing — key factors in improving your Google Maps ranking.
Many businesses claim their profile but forget to fully complete it. After claiming, make sure you fill out every section to maximize your visibility. In the next sections, we’ll dive into exactly how to improve key areas like business categories, reviews, and local keywords to help you rank higher and attract more customers.
2. Ensure Your NAP is Consistent
Your name, address, and phone number must be accurate and consistent everywhere it appears online. Even small differences — like using “St.” on your website but “Street” on your Google Business Profile — can create confusion with search engines and hurt your rankings.
To avoid this, make sure your NAP matches exactly across your Google Business Profile, website, social media, and all online directories. If your business has ever changed locations, phone numbers, or branding, check for outdated listings and update or remove any incorrect information.
Common places where your NAP should be consistent:
- Google Business Profile
- Your website (homepage, contact page, footer)
- Other websites
- Social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X)
- General online directories (Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, Better Business Bureau)
- Industry-specific directories (TripAdvisor, OpenTable, Healthgrades, etc.)
To check for inconsistencies, Google your business name along with your city and scan the results for old or incorrect listings. For a more targeted search, use Google’s “site:” search operator to find citations on specific websites. For example, try searching: site:yelp.com “Your Business Name” “Your City”
This will show all Yelp pages mentioning your business. Repeat this for other directories so you can quickly find outdated or incorrect listings.
If you find incorrect information on a website you don’t control, reach out to the site owner or support team and request an update. Many directories offer an option to suggest an edit or claim the listing, but if not, look for a contact email or support form to submit your request.
3. Use Relevant GBP Categories
Choose the right business categories for your Google Business Profile to help Google understand what your business offers and match you with the right searches. If you pick the wrong categories — or don’t add enough — you could be missing out on potential customers.
Your primary GBP category should be the closest match to your core business. For example, if you own a coffee shop, choose “Coffee Shop” rather than just “Restaurant.” Then, add secondary categories to cover additional services or specialties like “Cafe” or “Bakery” if you sell pastries.
If you’re not sure which categories to choose, keep these points in mind:
- Start with Google’s official category list: When updating your GBP, Google will suggest pre-set categories — choose the most accurate one.
- Be specific but relevant: Avoid broad categories that don’t fully describe your business.
- Don’t overdo it: Adding too many unrelated categories can confuse Google and weaken your ranking for your core services.
If you’re still not certain, try looking at your competitors and the categories they’re using. Using a Chrome Extension like GMB Everywhere allows you to see the categories they’re using on their business profile.
If multiple competitors are using a category you haven’t added, it may be worth including to expand the pool of people seeing your business online.
4. Manage and Encourage Positive Google Reviews
Reviews on your Google Business Profile are one of the biggest ranking factors for Google Maps SEO. More positive, recent, and relevant reviews signal to Google — and potential customers — that your business is trustworthy and popular. Businesses with better ratings and more positive reviews often rank above competitors, making reviews essential for visibility and conversions.
Here are some tips you can follow to get more Google reviews:
- Ask happy customers directly: A simple request in person or via email or SMS can go a long way.
- Make it easy: Share your Google review link on receipts, emails, and your website.
- Automate review requests: Tools like Chatmeter can send follow-up requests after a purchase or service.
- Offer top-tier service: The best way to get great reviews is to create experiences worth raving about.
Once reviews start coming in, it’s just as important to manage them properly by:
- Replying to every review: Thank customers for positive feedback and address negative reviews professionally.
- Responding quickly: Customers expect businesses to engage, and a timely response builds trust.
- Taking issues offline when needed: If a customer leaves a bad review, acknowledge their experience and invite them to discuss it privately.
The more active and engaged you are with your reviews, the more trust you build with both Google and potential customers. A strong review profile will boost your rankings and make your business the obvious choice over competitors.
To learn more about handling reviews professionally, take a look at some of our guides to review management:
- How to Respond to Negative Customer Reviews (With Examples and Templates)
- How to Respond to Positive Customer Reviews (With Examples and Templates)
- How to Manage Negative Google Reviews (Plus 9 Violations That’ll Let You Remove Them)
5. Use Local Keywords in Your GBP and Website Content
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when searching for businesses like yours.
Using local keywords — which include both what you offer and where you’re located — helps Google match your business with the kinds of customers who are most likely to want your product or service. If someone searches “best bakery in Seattle,” businesses that have those keywords in their Google Business Profile and website are more likely to rank higher.
To improve your rankings, naturally incorporate location-based keywords in key areas like:
- GBP business description: Mention your primary services and location (e.g., “We’re a family-owned deli serving downtown Springfield”).
- Services and products section: Add specific offerings with local relevance (e.g., “Organic cold brew coffee in Austin, TX”).
- Website title tags and meta descriptions: Optimize for searches like “best bakery in Seattle” or “24-hour plumber in Denver.”
- Homepage and about page content: Reinforce your location by mentioning neighborhoods you serve or nearby landmarks.
- Image alt text and file names: Rename images to include location keywords (e.g., “miami-hair-salon-interior.jpg” instead of “IMG_1234.jpg”).
Using local keywords strategically improves your relevance, increases visibility in search results, and helps customers find you when they’re searching for businesses in your area. Just make sure keywords fit naturally — Google rewards useful, readable content, not something that looks spammy and overly keyword-stuffed.
6. Use Google Posts for Local Visibility
Google Posts are a free, built-in feature of your GBP that allows you to share updates, promotions, events, and news directly in search results and on Google Maps.
Regularly posting updates signals to Google that your business is relevant and up-to-date. To make the most of Google Posts, use them to:
- Promote special offers and discounts
- Highlight upcoming events
- Announce new products or services
- Share important business updates
Google Posts appear in your business listing, so posting consistently helps keep your profile fresh and engaging. Include high-quality images, a clear call to action, and relevant local keywords to drum up business for these one-off events.
7. Utilize the Q&A Feature on Your GBP
The Q&A section on your GBP allows potential customers to ask questions about your business directly in search results. Once those questions are asked, you or other customers are free to answer those questions.
To make the most of the Q&A feature:
- Ask and answer common questions yourself: Preemptively add FAQs about your services, pricing, policies, or hours to provide quick, accurate responses.
- Monitor and respond to new questions quickly: Unanswered questions — or incorrect answers from the public — can mislead potential customers.
- Use relevant keywords naturally: Answers that include location-based or service-related terms can reinforce your SEO.
- Keep responses professional and helpful: Your answers represent your brand. Provide clear, informative responses that enhance credibility.
8. Optimize Photos and Videos for Google Maps
High-quality photos and videos make your GBP more engaging. Listings with images and videos receive more clicks, calls, and direction requests, making it a crucial factor for Google Maps visibility.
To optimize your media for Google Maps:
- Upload high-quality images: Showcase your storefront, interior, products, and team to give customers a clear idea of what to expect.
- Use recommended image sizes and formats: Try to keep images at least 720 x 720 pixels and use JPG or PNG formats.
- Use accurate file names: Rename images with relevant local keywords (e.g., “downtown-austin-coffee-shop.jpg” instead of “IMG_1234.jpg”) to reinforce local relevance.
- Post short, engaging videos: Highlight your space, services, or behind-the-scenes moments to increase engagement.
- Keep visuals updated: Replace outdated images and regularly add new content to keep your profile fresh.
9. Get High-Quality Backlinks and Local Citations
Google views backlinks (links from other websites to yours) and local citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web) as signals of trust and authority. The more high-quality backlinks and accurate citations your business has, the stronger your Google Maps ranking.
To build strong backlinks and citations:
- Get listed in reputable directories: Submit your business to Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, BBB, and industry-specific directories like TripAdvisor or Healthgrades.
- Earn backlinks from local websites: Partner with local blogs, news sites, and business associations to get featured.
- Sponsor or collaborate with local organizations: Events, charities, and partnerships often lead to backlinks from trusted local sources.
- Write guest posts or provide expert quotes: Offering insights for local blogs or industry publications can earn you valuable backlinks.
- Check for existing unlinked mentions: Use Google Search to find mentions of your business that don’t link to your website — then reach out and request a link.
Local institutions such as chambers of commerce, universities, and community organizations are excellent sources for backlinks and citations. Many have business directories, event listings, or partnership opportunities that can help boost your local authority while strengthening community connections.
10. Embed a Google Map Widget on Your Site
Embedding a Google Map widget on your website makes it easy for customers to find your location while strengthening your local SEO signals. It connects your website with your Google Business Profile, reinforcing your business’s legitimacy and improving your visibility in Google Maps searches.
To embed a Google Map on your site:
- Go to Google Maps and search for your business name.
- Click “Share” > “Embed a Map.”
- Copy the provided HTML code.
- Paste it into your website’s contact page, footer, or location page.
For multi-location businesses, create a dedicated location page for each branch with an embedded map, unique business details, and localized content. This helps Google associate each location with its respective service area, improving rankings for local searches.
Additionally, using structured data (Schema markup) alongside the map can further enhance your local SEO by providing search engines with precise business location details.
11. Optimize for Mobile Devices and User Experience
Most Google Maps searches happen on mobile, so a slow or poorly designed website can drive potential customers away before they even step foot in your business. Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search rankings, making mobile optimization essential for local SEO.
Some improvements are simple fixes that any business owner can handle:
- Simplify navigation: Make it easy for users to find essential info like your address, phone number, and hours of operation.
- Add click-to-call and click-for-directions buttons: Ensure mobile users can contact or locate your business with a single tap.
- Minimize pop-ups and intrusive elements: Google penalizes websites with frustrating mobile experiences.
Other optimizations may require a web developer or SEO expert to implement effectively:
- Use a responsive design: Your website should adjust seamlessly across all screen sizes.
- Improve page speed: Compress images, enable caching, and use a fast hosting provider to reduce load times.
- Ensure Core Web Vitals compliance: Google’s ranking factors include page speed, interactivity, and stability — technical optimizations that often require expert help.
For many business owners, website optimization is more technical than they have time for. If your site is slow, outdated, or difficult to navigate, bringing in an expert can save time and ensure your site meets Google’s best practices, giving you a better shot at ranking higher and turning mobile visitors into real customers.
12. Track Performance and Adjust Your Strategy
Google Maps SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it process — ongoing tracking and adjustments are essential to stay ahead of competitors and maintain strong visibility. Regularly monitoring your performance helps you identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.
Some tracking methods are easy for any business owner to manage:
- Check your Google Business Profile Insights: See how many people view your listing, request directions, call, or click your website link.
- Monitor customer reviews and engagement: Keep an eye on new reviews, Q&A activity, and how customers interact with your profile.
- Track keyword rankings for local searches: Search for terms like “best [your service] near me” to see where your business appears.
For deeper insights and long-term strategy, SEO experts or analytics tools can help:
- Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics: Track website traffic from Google Maps and local searches.
- Leverage third-party SEO tools like Chatmeter: These tools provide competitor analysis, citation tracking, and more detailed performance insights.
- A/B test optimizations: Experiment with different post types, images, or keywords to see what drives more engagement.
Google’s algorithms and customer behavior constantly change. Analyze performance and adjust your approach to stay competitive. Whether you track it yourself or work with an expert, data-driven decisions lead to higher rankings and more customers.
Master Google Maps Visibility With Chatmeter
Google Maps SEO takes time, effort, and constant adjustments — with Chatmeter, businesses can get better rankings, more customer engagement, and increased foot traffic without the manual workload. Whether you’re a single-location business or a multi-location brand, Chatmeter simplifies and automates key local SEO tasks so you can focus on running your business.
Here are all of the ways Chatmeter can help your business get more traffic through Google Maps:
- Automated business listings management: Ensure accurate, consistent NAP across Google, Apple Maps, Yelp, Bing, and 140+ directories — all updated in one place.
- Review monitoring & response automation: Get real-time alerts for new reviews, track customer sentiment with AI-powered analysis, and respond at scale with smart templates.
- Local SEO & competitive insights: Track local keyword rankings, monitor competitor performance, and get data-driven recommendations to outrank nearby businesses.
- Performance analytics & reporting: See how customers find and interact with your business with Google Business Profile Insights integration, custom dashboards, and automated reports.
- AI-powered optimization suggestions: Chatmeter’s AI analyzes your listings and provides personalized recommendations to improve rankings and engagement.
- Local page creation: Build SEO-optimized local landing pages that enhance search visibility, strengthen your Google Maps presence, and drive more local traffic to each of your locations.
Instead of juggling multiple tools and manually updating your listings, reviews, and SEO strategy, Chatmeter automates and streamlines the entire process — saving you time while delivering better results.
Want to see how Chatmeter can help your business dominate Google Maps? Book a demo today and take control of your local visibility.