Check your local search ranking on Google and boost your online visibility. Learn effective methods to stay competitive in your target market.
As a business owner or digital marketer, understanding your local search ranking on Google is crucial for attracting nearby customers and increasing your online visibility.
With so many consumers using search engines to find local products and services, optimizing for local search has become a key component of any successful SEO strategy.
In this article, we’ll explore various methods to check your local ranking on Google, ensuring that your business stays competitive in your target market.
Why Do Search Results Vary By Location?
Google prioritizes local relevance in its search results to provide users with the most helpful information based on their location.
The search engine uses various factors to determine a user’s location, including:
- Device location (via Wi-Fi, cell phone triangulation, or GPS).
- Labeled places on Google Maps.
- Home address linked to the user’s Google account.
- Previous activity across Google products.
- IP address.
Google uses these factors to determine your location and provide search results that are relevant to your area. This means you and your neighbor might see different search results even if you search for the same thing.
Add A Local Parameter To Your Search
For instance, let’s say you’re in Kansas City and want to see how a coffee shop chain called “Jitters” compares to its competitors in Seattle. You can start by searching for “coffee shops near me” on Google.
When the search results appear, look at the URL in your browser’s address bar. It will be pretty long, but don’t worry about that. Just scroll to the very end of the URL and add “&near=Seattle” (without the quotes).
Hit enter, and Google will show you the search results as if you were in Seattle. This way, you can quickly check out the local competition for Jitters in Seattle without traveling there yourself.
