Question
How does Google Maps ranking work?
Short answer 39 words
Google says local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well a profile matches the search, distance is how far it is from the searcher, and prominence is how well known the business is.
The fuller answer
You can influence relevance and prominence. You cannot change distance, so rank varies with where the searcher stands.
See rank grid, Maps rank tracking and the local SEO ranking factors guide.
Google's three factors
How well the profile matches the search.
How far you are from the searcher.
How well known you are, partly from reviews and links.
Your next steps
Today
- Check your rank from three points.
This week
- Improve relevance: categories and services.
This month
- Build prominence: reviews and local mentions.
Reach by Locus IntelligenceReach keeps every location accurate and answers its reviews, per location, with approval before anything posts. Free for one location, no card.
Related questions
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Profile score, Maps rank against the top 3, and the fixes that matter most.
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