How to boost your Google Maps ranking

Chapter I. Why Google Maps optimization is essential for local businesses

Google Maps ranking should be a top priority for local businesses looking to attract new customers and build their online presence. The map and navigation app was downloaded 25.5 million times by US smartphone users in 2021, significantly more than any other app in the category. 
With more people turning to Google Maps to find local businesses, and the dramatic rise in voice search use, knowing how to rank higher on Google Maps is an essential skill you need in your local maps SEO toolbox. 
Investing in your Google Maps ranking can reap huge rewards for local businesses—and the difference between ranking first and fourth is crucial for your online visibility.

Semrush Local's Map Rank Tracker gives you a detailed look at how you rank in the map pack depending on where your customer is searching from, so you can reliably track the results of your optimization efforts.

Chapter II. The biggest Google Maps ranking factors

According to Google, the three most important Google Maps ranking factors are relevance, distance and prominence. 
Relevant results are those which closely match the search query. This is why it’s so important for your Google Business Profile to have complete, accurate and detailed information about where you’re located and the services you offer. 
A user’s distance from your business also factors heavily in your profile’s ranking, as does whether or not your business address falls within the borders of a local search area (as delineated on Google Maps). For example, a restaurant located within the boundaries of Glenville is more likely to rank higher for “restaurants in Glenville” than one just outside the town limits.

A screengrab showing restaurants that rank higher in the map pack for a local search

Prominence is a combination of a business’ reputation, online presence, star rating, SEO… essentially any signal that tells Google Maps how aware people are of you. This is where local map SEOs tend to focus their efforts, because there’s plenty that can be done to actively influence the ranking factor, such as campaigning for reviews, posting content and building links. Managing review generation campaigns is far less time-consuming with Semrush Local's Review Management tool—and you can further strengthen your prominence with the platform’s other useful tools that allow you to schedule regular content for your Google Business Profile and pinpoint link-building opportunities. 

Chapter III. How to rank in the map pack: The essentials

Google Maps pulls in data from your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), which is what’s displayed on the SERP when users look up local businesses in Google Search. 
Assuming you’ve already added your business to Google Maps, you’ll first want to make sure the information on your Google Business Profile is up to date. 
The most important thing to check is your NAP data (name, address, phone number). These should exactly match the information published on your website (and anywhere else you promote your business). Warning: Don’t try to cram keywords into your business name or you might end up with a notice from Google saying they've gone ahead and changed it, either because it doesn’t match your NAP data or because a user has flagged it.

An email alert from Google to inform an owner that their business name has been changed

Be sure your category, attributes and description also reflect the reality of your business, otherwise users are likely to bounce, and your Google Maps ranking will suffer. 
Your opening hours must also be accurate, including special hours for holidays when businesses tend to close (you can update opening hours across all your business listings in one go via Semrush Local's Listing Management tool). Telling users your establishment is open when it isn’t is a quick way to lose a customer and land yourself a negative review. Actively generating reviews for your Google Business Profile will not only result in a great first impression for users that come across it, but it also directly impacts your ranking in Google Maps.

A top florist result in the map pack with great reviews

Reply to everyone that leaves a review—even the negative ones—to build strong client relationships and show other users that you take feedback seriously.

Regularly adding photos builds trust with potential customers (it proves your business operates as claimed) and it’s an easy way to put your team’s personality across.

Bonus tip: Make sure your images are relevant to your location and aren’t promo shots or advertisements (use updates for that). Show off your building, site, entrance, interior, team members… and encourage your customers to upload pictures they took at your business too!

Updates let both Google Maps and potential users know your business is active. Share links to relevant blog posts, promote special offers and let people know what you’ve got going on!

A screengrab of a Google Business Profile update displaying on Google Maps under “From the owner”

Your Google Business Profile’s products and services sections also need to be kept up to date so users can quickly confirm that you offer exactly what they’re looking for.

Chapter IV. Advanced tips to rank in Google Maps

On top of the completeness of your profile, Google Maps also looks at your website’s relevance, organic ranking and backlinks.

Optimizing your website for local keywords helps boost your organic positions and, in turn, your Google Maps ranking.

You should also ask your developer to add schema markup code to your NAP data to make it easier for Google to find what it's looking for, as well as embedding a Google Maps with your pinned location directly on your contact page for extra Google brownie points.

Google cross references your NAP data with other prominent business listing directories to check its validity, so it pays to invest in your general online presence if you want a higher Google Maps ranking.

Time saver: Semrush Local's Listing Management tool is the fastest way to build out your business’ online presence. Submit your information once and it’ll be distributed to all the important directories, including Yell, Bing Places, and, of course, Google Business Profile.

And if you’re willing to pump a bit of cash into your Google Maps presence, Google Ads allows you to promote your profile natively in the local pack.

A screengrab showing a Google Ad of a restaurant

Chapter V. How to edit your Google Maps profile

Google Business Profile has made it even easier for users to update their information, doing away with the old dashboard and allowing users to edit directly from Google Search and Google Maps.

Where to edit your Google Business Profile information in Google Search

If you’re editing your Google Maps information on desktop, search your business name on Google Maps and click “Manage your Business Profile” (or simply look up your business name in Google Search). This brings up “Your business on Google”, where you can edit your profile, read reviews, answer messages, add photos, check your profile performance, post updates, and edit products and services. 
On the Google Maps app, you can also bring up the interface by searching your business name, or clicking your profile icon and selecting “Your Business Profiles”.