Google Business: How to Rank for the Local Map Pack

Rank for local map pack to improve online visibility and attract more customers!

If you’re a local business, chances are your target audience resides in the location you serve. Optimizing online visibility for local search engines enables more customers to find your store, culminating in more online traffic.

Local SEO is vital for any small business eager to get recognized and build authority. With nearly 3.5 billion global Google searches performed every single day, small businesses (with or without physical locations) must stand out if they want to be discovered by potential customers.

Instead of relying on generic SEO practices that are sometimes specific to tall ranking within search engine result pages (SERPs), local SEO tactics focus on providing users with outcomes tailored towards a particular business location. 

For example, people searching “pet store near me” are given different responses than people searching for “pet store in San Francisco.” This is simply because the profile of searchers from each localization offers distinct needs that must be addressed.

One of the benefits of local SEO services is ranking on Google’s Local Map Pack –  a section in Google’s search results that features a map of your local area with three business listings in the immediate vicinity. According to research, the first three placements get 33% clicks within Google’s Local Map Pack.

To be one of the top three featured businesses on Google Maps, the most effective skill is optimizing local keywords or search terms your prospective clients are likely to type into Google search boxes. This is otherwise known as local SEO optimization. This strategy will drive meaningful attention and increase walking visitors—an invaluable marketing asset for any B2C business.

There are many ways to improve your local SEO performance and increase your visibility in Google Maps local searches. This guide will walk you through four steps to ranking higher in the Google local pack and how to take advantage of each tactic.

What is the Google Local Map Pack?

Local search results for businesses on Google come in all shapes and forms. They appear via Google Maps, search engine results pages, Google posts, Google reviews, online directories, or even on mobile devices. However, one spot stands out above the rest: the coveted Google Map Pack (aka Google Local Pack or Google 3-Pack Ranking).
Google Map Packs give your actual business a front-and-center position as soon as a potential customer searches for your service or product. Getting local businesses inside the Maps Pack means more visibility, clicks, phone calls, and… ultimately, more business. No wonder this is such a popular spot among big and small businesses.

How Does it Work?

The Google Local Pack, or the Google 3-Pack Ranking, definitely catches the eye when seeking local results. Not surprisingly, this standout set of three highlighted results featured at the top of the SERP shows only the best businesses based on local search ranking factors.

Consider this set a special elite group among other local businesses. As in the name (Google Maps Pack), this section of search results doesn’t just show you the business name, address, and phone number. It also provides more business information, including a map showing the store’s physical location.

This helps users find businesses close to them that meet their specific needs. What does this mean? Businesses that rank in the top spot will grow twice as fast as those that are not. Therefore, the Local Pack is not just an inviting opportunity—it’s quite essential.

How to Rank in Google Local Map Pack

Getting your business at the top of the search results increases your chances of being discovered. While there is no standard rule on how to get there, we know that your local visibility mainly depends on your relevance to the searcher’s query and proximity.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat—it’s not your website that’ll determine if you can make it into the Local Map Pack. Your success with local SEO depends completely on something else: your Google My Business (GMB) Profile.

You might be thinking, “Oh, does that mean that if I rank for local map pack, then my business won’t show anymore in the standard search results?” Obviously, that’s not true. Since your website and Google Business profile are separate entities, you can get your GMB and website rank on the first page of search results. And to debunk this myth, here’s an example.

As you can see, It’s a Writer’s World SEO and Content Marketing is currently ranking on the first page for the keyword content marketing service on both standard search results and local map pack (since I’m based in Quezon City). Therefore, it is possible.

Now, let’s delve into an interesting observation I had while managing a client’s Google My Business (GMB) profile in Adelaide. Despite actively updating the profile with fresh content, photos, and timely posts, there were noticeable fluctuations in search views across various locations.

These variations underscore a key point about local SEO – that GMB performance can be influenced by shifting trends. Search interest and user behavior often change across regions, meaning that while one area may experience a dip in search views, another could see an uptick. Moreover, Google’s ranking algorithms are constantly evolving, and each update can impact local visibility for both branded and non-branded keywords.

3 Google Local Map Pack Ranking Factors

Let’s take a look at the ranking factors for the Local Map Pack:

Relevance

How well does your business profile match relevant search queries? So, if someone searches for a “vegan restaurant in San Francisco,” Google’s algorithm will review the query and provide the most relevant results. This means the businesses with the proper keywords (i.e., vegan, restaurant, San Francisco) in their profile—and only those—will be presented as potential answers to the customer’s query.

Proximity

Your distance from the searcher’s location (near me searches) or location specified in the query. Going back to the earlier example keyword, “vegan restaurant in San Francisco,” the top three results will be given to those in the city.

Prominence

Your business’s “prominence” is determined by various signals such as reviews, ratings, backlinks, content, and other criteria Google uses to identify the most popular businesses. The more popular your business is online (and offline), the better its chances of appearing in the Google Local Pack.

By understanding the ranking factors along with Google business profile optimization, you can shape your local SEO strategy to get more visibility, which translates to increased views.

5 Tips to Rank Locally in the Google 3-Pack

To ensure that your business listing is more visible in Google Maps, you can optimize it using on-listing and off-listing optimizations—much like how websites are optimized with both on-page and off-page SEO. Before starting this process, however, you’ll need to get listed on Google Maps and claim your listing.

1. Add Your Business to Google Maps

If you don’t have a Google Maps listing or are uncertain if one exists, follow the steps below to add your business. If you already have one, feel free to skip this section altogether.

• On your browser, type in Google.com/maps and search for your business name.
• If your business name appears in the drop-down list with a city name next to it, then you are listed on Google Maps.

Note: We’ve seen cases of duplicate listings or another user creating a listing, not the company. Here, you don’t have to create another listing; rather, you can see if you have the option to ‘Claim this Business.’ If that option is available, go ahead and claim the business and take ownership. But if that’s not the case, try to consult Google support to see if there’s any way you can claim the listing.

• If your name isn’t on the list, you’ll see an option to “add a missing place.” Click this option.
• This will prompt you to a form where you can add your name, category, location, phone number, and other information.
• Google will then ask you to verify your business by sending a postcard with a verification code.
• Once you receive the postcard, enter the code and verify your business on Google Maps.

2. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

The local map pack consists of Google Business Profiles. Therefore, claiming your business listing makes you eligible to appear in the Google 3-Pack. Optimize your profile by including accurate and up-to-date details, including:

• Your business name
• Category
• Map location
• Service area
• Contact number
• Website URL
• Business hours
• A concise description of your business

Write original and compelling copy for your business description and upload high-quality images to make your listing more visually appealing. Update your profile for any changes in your information.

You can check out our guide here: Ultimate Guide: How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile.

3. Add Photos to Your Google Business Profile

Google likes it when you upload photos to your listing. This means that your listing is active, and Google will show it to more people. Also, Google is getting better at recognizing pictures, so they may show up in search results. Lastly, people like looking at photos, so Google will show listings with photos more often.

To improve your Google Maps ranking, upload high-quality and compelling photos to your business listing that capture what it’s like to be at your business. 

• You can do this by going to the “Photos” tab in your Google My Business dashboard and clicking on the blue circle with a white plus sign. 
• Then, you will be able to drag and drop several photos and/or videos at once. 
• You should try to add at least one new photo a day.

4. Encourage Positive Reviews

Consumers today are savvier than ever — they look at online reviews before purchasing. In fact, a study shows that 80% of consumers only trust businesses with 4-star ratings and above. Another reason to encourage your clients to leave positive reviews is that Google factors them into how they rank businesses in the Google Maps Pack. They help algorithms understand which businesses are superior to their competitors.

Obviously, businesses with more good reviews on Google and other listing sites are more likely to rank in the Google Maps Pack than businesses with fewer or negative reviews. So, encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google business listing and make it a point to respond to these reviews: 

• Businesses that respond to more customer reviews are viewed as 1.7x more trustworthy versus businesses that don’t.
• Most consumers who read more reviews also read the business’s responses.
• 40% of consumers expect businesses to respond to reviews within 24 hours or less.

5. Post Regularly to Your Google Business Profile

You can post things on your Google Maps business listing, like Facebook. If you do this often, it tells Google that you manage your listing well. This is good because Google will rank you higher. People use search engines when they are interested in something, so if you post offers on your listing, people who see it are more likely to be interested.

There are three types of posts you can create:

• Offer: Use this post type to promote a special offer related to your business, such as discounts or free products.
• What’s New: Use this post type to let people know about any new product or service you are offering.
• Event: Use this post type to promote an upcoming event related to your business.

Remember: You can also add links, images, and videos to your posts.

Start Ranking on Local Map Pack Today!

Following the tips outlined above, you can optimize your Google Business Profile and rank higher in the local map pack. Remember to update your profile regularly, encourage good reviews, add photos to your listing, and post regularly on it. Doing this will help you rank higher and be seen by more people in the search results.

At It’s a Writer’s World, I specialize in helping businesses get ranked higher on Google Maps. I can help you optimize your profile, manage reviews, and create localized content to improve your local map pack visibility.

We also provide content marketing services that help you keep your content fresh and engaging. Reach out today for more tips and to see how we can help you start ranking on Google Local Map Pack!

Google Local Map Pack FAQs