Proximity Is Now A Top Ranking Factor In Local Search

Many of our SEO clients have heard us tell them that when it comes to local searches it’s all about location and relevance. This subject usually arises when a client calls or emails because their business isn’t showing up in the “local pack” search results. (The “local pack” is the portion near the top of the search results that shows a map with up to three local businesses). They often wonder why a new business with no reviews is showing up on the map and listings and they aren’t.

The local pack has generated a lot of discussion recently as SEO experts try to figure out how Google arrives at their results. It doesn’t appear to be based on reviews since some of the listings won’t show any. It also doesn’t appear to be the age of the business. After careful analysis, it now appears that proximity is the top factor in this determination. Since more people now search on their mobile phones than on computers, Google places more importance on providing them with relevant, location-based results.

Let’s say that you’re out shopping and it’s getting close to noon. You’re hungry and in the mood for Mexican food, so you do a quick search on your phone for “Mexican restaurants”. The results you get will show the local pack with a map and up to three listings. You’ll notice that they are the closest Mexican restaurants based on your current location. In the meantime, your spouse is on the other side of town and uses their phone to search for Mexican restaurants. Their local pack results will show the restaurants closest to them.

What does this mean for your business? It can be a bit frustrating to know that someone across town is searching for a business and your competitors are showing up instead of you. Your business may be listed on the first page, below the local pack, but many people will naturally gravitate towards the local pack before scanning the page for more results. No amount of SEO work will force your business to show up in the local pack regardless of where the searcher is located.

Although Google includes a link in the local pack for “more results”, that’s little consolation to a business that’s hoping their SEO efforts are paying off. They may be at the very top of the organic listings, right below the local pack, but they want to get noticed right away. Unfortunately, in a mobile-centric environment, it’s all about proximity now, and it looks like it will be that way for at least the near future.

Easy Way To Get Google Reviews

Google reviews are extremely important for businesses nowadays because of consumer influence. Businesses know they need to be accumulating as many positive reviews as possible for various business marketing reasons, though many don't know how to do so or where to start. As Google is constantly changing, it’s important for us at Solutions by Design to keep our clients ahead of the game and educated on how Google reviews work, as well as conquering the task of getting more reviews from current and past patients.

Where to start?

The first thing you need to do is a Google search with your business name in the search box. As long as you’ve already claimed your "Google My Business" page(s) and you’re easily found in that kind of a search, you’ll see the Google Maps and "Google My Business" page appear to the right of the screen. Once you get here, click on the map and you will be taken directly to your “Google My Business” public page. This page is where your patients will go to write a review. Persons leaving the review must have a Google account and must be signed in to do so.

The question we hear is how do you get your patients through this journey of finding your "Google My Business" page easily? We suggest you simplify the search for the patient by linking your Google place page on your website or email the link in an e-blast. To do this, find the "embed map code" and provide it to the person designated to update your website, or use the short link for an e-blast or hyperlink on your website.

How do you find the link?

1. Find your Google place page.
2. Click the menu option.
3. Click share or embed map. 
4. A pop-up to share the link will appear, click the short URL and use this for e-blasts or hyperlink on your website.
5. To embed map on your website, click “Embed Map” and provide this code to the designated person. 

We suggest you add this to your website to help increase the number of Google reviews on your "Google My Business" page. If you are a Solutions by Design social media client, talk to your social media manager about this update as it is included in your monthly subscription if it is not already done. If you are not a social media client, give us a call to add have your maps code embedded to your website. All Google Maps website updates starting at $150.