Local Domination: Winning the Map Pack in 2025

Proximity is King (But You Can Stretch It)

The #1 factor in Local SEO is proximity. But you can’t move your office. So how do you rank 10 miles away?

1. Relevance Signals

If your Google Business Profile (GBP) just says “Marketing Agency,” you limit your reach. You need to signal relevance for specific services linked to locations.

Tactic: Create “Service Area Pages” on your website that are explicitly linked from your GBP “Services” menu.

2. The Review Velocity

It’s not just the number of reviews; it’s the velocity and the text.

“Great service” is useless. “Loved how they handled our HVAC repair in North Austin” is gold.

Strategy: Train your sales team to ask clients to mention the service performed and their location in the review.

3. Entity Validation

Google needs to trust you are real.

• Embed a Map on your contact page.
• Local Schema: Use precise LocalBusiness schema with geoMidpoint coordinates.
• Real Photos: Stock photos on GBP hurt trust. Upload photos of your branded truck in front of a recognizable local landmark.

Local SEO is no longer about directory citations. It’s about proving you truly serve the community.