Ranking in Google's Local Organic Search

Steps to Ranking in Organic Local Searches 

Organic local search results appear just below the local pack results on Google’s first page. These results are specific to a geographic location and are triggered by the location search term used in the search itself. For example, “dry cleaners in Biloxi, Mississippi” or “pet grooming in Phoenix, Arizona.” 

As mentioned in our earlier posts, ranking in Google’s local pack and ranking in organic local results are not mutually exclusive. Many of the techniques used to increase your pack ranking will also work for increasing your organic local ranking, and vice versa. As such, we’ll touch on some of the same methods mentioned in our prior article here, in addition to focusing in on a few more. 

If you’re looking to increase your organic local search ranking, follow these best practices. 

Name-Address-Phone Number 

You’ll find this piece of advice throughout our blog and it’s something we stress with our own clients. Ensuring your NAP (name-address-phone number) is consistent throughout the internet is absolutely vital. 

When your NAP is consistent it helps Google recognize that you’re a legitimate business with an established web presence. This lends itself to increased organic search rankings. 

Google My Business

This is another essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to ranking in local searches. Your business must have an active, up-to-date Google My Business listing. If you don’t, you’ll face a steep uphill battle in terms of any sort of local ranking. 

Your Google My Business listing establishes your company as an active business in your community, which gives you an edge in local searches. If you haven’t set up your Google My Business listing, learn more here. 

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

You already know positive customer reviews are important for attracting new clients to your business. But did you know Google gives ranking priority to businesses with a greater number of positive reviews? And we’re not just talking about Google reviews, here. Google’s ranking algorithm looks at other review platforms, like Facebook and Yelp – just to name a couple – in addition to Google reviews. 



If you’re looking to rank higher in local organic searches, work hard at getting lots of great customer reviews.   

Mobile Friendliness

At this point, most large businesses have very mobile-friendly websites. These companies understand something very important – more than 50% of internet traffic originates from a mobile device.  Unfortunately though, many smaller, local businesses have failed to recognize this. 

A mobile-friendly website is not only important from a customer experience standpoint, it’s also imperative when it comes to ranking in organic local search results. Google favors websites that are user-friendly and provide a great customer experience, especially on mobile devices. 



If your local business website is hard to navigate or doesn’t render properly on a mobile device, your rankings will be negatively affected. 

Local Keywords

By now, using keywords in your website’s copy may seem obvious.  Keywords as a search engine optimization (SEO) method has been around forever.  But keep in mind, ranking for local searches means you need to include local keywords. 



Using “tree trimming service” as a keyword helps, but if you intend to rank in local searches, your keywords also need to include your target location. This means “tree trimming service” turns into “tree trimming service in Akron, OH.” 

Ranking Doesn't Happen Overnight

Ranking in Google’s local organic search, (or Google’s local pack, for that matter,) is a marathon – not a sprint. Put these methods to work, but be patient. Don’t expect results overnight. It’s a process. 



Keep an eye on your results and be ready to adjust your approach if something’s not working. But before you jump to make changes, give it time.