Local SEO Basics: What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO Basics: What Is Local SEO?

What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing a business, product, or service for a search query that is location-specific. Google (and other search engines) uses a user’s location based on IP address (for desktop) and geolocation (for mobile) to determine what results to show the user. So when someone searches for Dentist, Car Wash, or Locksmith, the search engine will display businesses relevant to their location.

Local SEO Basics: What Is Local SEO?
Local Search Results on Google
A local search result combines two main parts (or opportunities) for a local business:

Organic Search Results – The website

Local Pack – Google My Business (GMB)

Users can also search for results in a different location by adding in a local area qualifier, like “Hotels in London”. Other positions (opportunities) include Ads, Images, One Box, and, of course, users searching specifically in Local Finder and Maps.

Local SEO Basics: What Is Local SEO?
The practice of Local SEO includes optimizing the business’s website for local search queries, as well as optimizing the business’s Google My Business page.