Stay Ahead of These Game-Changing 2023 Local SEO Trends (It’s Not Only About AI)
Stay ahead of the game by keeping up with the 2023 Local SEO trends that have caught the eyes of our search engine marketers mid-year—and finish the year out stronger than you started.
As generative AI transforms search engines and the threat of a downturn drags on, keeping up with the massive changes happening in SEO has never been more important.
Or more challenging, for that matter, since these days, news on Google latest algorithm tweaks and search features is breaking literally by the minute.
What we want to do here is get you up to speed on seven 2023 Local SEO trends and changes that we’ve got our eyes on and tell how you can leverage them to your advantage.
Our goal? To equip you with practical insights and proven strategies that will keep your business at the top of local search results.
If you’re new to local SEO, check out the refresher below—if not, skip straight to our first point.
Content:
- Capitalize on Consistent Customer Reviews
- Build Backlinks to Your GBP Landing Page
- Leverage Your Location (or Overcome its Drawbacks)
- Unleash the Potential of Dedicated Service Pages
- Make Quality Content and Internal Links Work
- Embrace On-page, Technical SEO, and Local Schema
- Get to Know Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)
Background: Understanding Google’s Approach to Local Ranking
You know the saying, “location, location, location”?
When it comes to local SEO, Google takes this concept to heart—but with a bit of important nuance.
Beyond just physical proximity, Google’s local ranking revolves around three key factors:
- Relevance
- Distance
- Prominence
You might be wondering what these terms mean and how they can help your business. So, let’s unravel these factors one by one, starting with the first element of Google’s local ranking trinity: Relevance.
1. Relevance is the Perfect Matchmaker
Relevance is all about how well your business matches a user’s search query.
When your business profile matches what someone is searching for, Google gives you a thumbs up.
By refining your business information, you’re telling Google: “Hey, we’re the perfect match for that search!” And Google loves a good match.
2. Distance is the Art of Being in the Right Place
Distance is how far your business is from the location specified in a user’s search.
If a user doesn’t specify a location, Google takes a Sherlock Holmes approach and calculates distance based on “what we do know about their location”, which could include search history.
This factor reminds us of the importance of maintaining an accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) across your website and Google Business Profile. Even the online mentions of your business’s NAP play a role.
Making these details readily available and consistent helps Google locate your business with pinpoint accuracy, giving you a greater chance of landing in front of the right audience.
3. Prominence is Standing Tall and Standing Out
Prominence is your business’s claim to fame. It’s about how well-known or reputable your business is, both online and offline.
This factor is influenced by elements like Google reviews, backlinks, articles, directories, and even your website’s authority.
If you’re a well-established brand or a business with glowing reviews, Google is likely to boost your prominence in local search.
But this doesn’t mean newer businesses can’t compete—a well-optimized website with quality content can earn prominence, too.
Don’t Fall For the One-Size-Fits-All Local Search Myth
We’d all love a local SEO cheat sheet. Wouldn’t it be great to have a list of every ranking factor and how much they each matter?
Unfortunately, Google doesn’t play like that. In 2023, local SEO remains a game of ongoing observation and adaptation.
Suppose you’re a local SEO expert working with a drive-through coffee shop. You might notice that Google heavily weighs a factor like “popular times” for the industry.
On the other hand, if you’re doing local SEO for a lawyer, you’ll probably find that “popular times” is totally irrelevant compared to something like link authority.
Even though such observations are helpful, they do not provide a universal rule. Every market and industry has its own local search algorithm quirks.
When we say that a specific element impacts rankings, it’s not a revelation from the sacred Google algorithm scroll. It’s based on experience and observation. It’s based on the data we and other reputable SEO professionals have collected through experimentation and testing.
There’s no universal recipe for SEO success. But once you grasp this concept, you can shift your strategy from being a one-size-fits-all to a custom-tailored local SEO approach.
So, take heart. Although we don’t have a definite formula for success, we do have the collective wisdom of experience, observation, and experimentation.
And below, we’ll discuss what we’re seeing as key important factors in local SEO in 2023.
Google My Business vs. Google Business Profile (Same Thing, Different Name)
As of November 2021, Google has officially transitioned from ’Google My Business’ (GMB) to ’Google Business Profile’ (GBP). It’s the same feature, just under a new name. To add to that, the back-end dashboard where you manage your profile is now known as ’Business Profile Manager.’
1. Capitalize on Consistent Customer Reviews
When it comes to optimizing your local SEO, one factor that often takes a backseat but holds immense potential is customer reviews.
In an era where E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Experience, and Trustworthiness) rules, high-quality reviews can set you apart from the competition. Here’s why a steady stream of customer reviews should be your top priority.
Local Business Reviews are a Trust-Building Exercise
Google isn’t just about algorithms and bots. Above all, it’s about creating a trustworthy and reliable user experience.
And that’s where consistent reviews come into play.
A sudden rush of positive reviews can seem suspicious, like an attempt to game the system. But a steady flow of reviews over a long period? This tells Google, and your potential customers, that your business reliably provides excellent experiences over time.
That you aren’t just a flash in the pan. That you’re here to stay.
But the consistency of local reviews isn’t the only factor to consider when discussing 2023 local SEO trends. There’s also review velocity, diversity, and quality.
- Review velocity is the rate that your business gains new reviews over time. A high review velocity signals to search engines that your business is actively engaging with customers, continually fostering dialogue and feedback. Google loves this engagement. It’s a signal that your business is alive, kicking, and deeply involved with its audience. It’s an indication of freshness and activity that can significantly boost your local SEO rankings.
- Review diversity is not only about a diversity of opinions, but also diversity of sources. Google and other search engines consider reviews from various different sources, like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Facebook, as a sign of credibility. They reward businesses with positive reviews from a wide range of review sources with higher rankings. This diversity, coupled with consistency, amplifies your reputation and credibility, both online and offline.
- Review quality is just what it sounds like. While consistent reviews are key, the sentiment and quality of these reviews matter too. After all, your goal is to provide an excellent experience and build trust. Encourage your customers to share honest, detailed feedback about their experiences. Remember, every review is a story about your business. The richer the story, the more it adds to your E-E-A-T score and your overall SEO efforts.
Customer reviews are more than just ratings; they’re the testament of your customer’s journey with your business. And in the grand scheme of local SEO, they’re increasingly important.
Adopt strategies that drive consistent, quality reviews. Embrace the power of organic growth, trust-building, and the delight of a satisfied customer.
What Else is New in Local Business Reviews that Impacts 2023 Local SEO Trends?
We couldn’t let you go without mentioning a couple of key recent developments in the world of online reviews that you should pay attention to.
FTC Crackdown on Fake Reviews
In a significant step towards ensuring authenticity and credibility, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing to ban fake reviews. The new rule, if accepted, could see businesses facing fines up to $50,000 each time a customer encounters a counterfeit review.
It’s not just about penalizing businesses that use fake reviews, but also the brokers that produce them.
The proposal extends to prohibit “insider” reviews and testimonials, mandating that any review or endorsement from a company’s managers, employees, or their relatives must have proper disclosure.
This move underscores the importance of fostering a culture of genuine and ethical reviews, which can enhance your E-E-A-T score and positively impact local SEO.
Google’s AI-Based Review Filter
Google has made significant strides in making sure Google Business Profile reviews are the real deal. Part of this effort involves a new AI-based filter on Google reviews meant to weed out the fakes and the spammers.
However, this move has led to instances of genuine Google reviews disappearing. In response, Google has had to set up a dedicated process businesses can use to report missing reviews.
Interestingly, the disappearing review issue seems to impact certain industries more than others.
The real estate, home services, and construction sectors appear to be the most affected. Place-based businesses, like car dealerships, brick-and-mortar establishments, or restaurants, are reporting fewer issues.
This difference could be attributed to Google’s ability to verify “store visits”, thereby increasing trust in reviews left by consumers who have visited the location before leaving a review.
Google’s Stand Against Malicious Schemes
Finally, underscoring its commitment to real reviews, Google has taken legal action against a company allegedly creating fake Google Business Profiles and counterfeit reviews. The lawsuit indicates Google’s resolve to safeguard its platform from misuse, promising a more genuine and reliable environment for businesses and customers.
The landscape of customer reviews and local search is constantly evolving. Staying informed about these developments can help businesses navigate this space effectively, ensuring their practices align with regulatory standards and technological advancements.
2. Build Backlinks to Your GBP Landing Page
Your GBP landing page isn’t just about linking back to your homepage. It’s a matter of focusing on the specific URLs that could most impact your local rankings.
What that is depends on your business. Maybe it’s a city-specific service page, or a dedicated city page for each GBP location if you’re a multi-location business.
One way to determine which page you should link to from GPB is to look at Google Search Console (GSC). GSC allows you to pinpoint which pages are attracting traffic for your key search terms, helping you select the perfect candidate for your GBP landing page.
A great point highlighted in the article by Sterling Sky above is to make sure that your chosen keyword triggers a map pack in search results.
And remember, don’t overlook the importance of using UTMs to track your GBP traffic by location. This simple step enables you to compare GBP vs. organic data in GSC, adding another layer to your SEO insights.
Optimizing Your GBP Landing Page with Quality Backlinks
So, you’ve identified the ideal GBP landing page. Now it’s time for optimization, and that’s where backlinks come into play.
Backlinks act as a thumbs-up to your website, increasing your visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). They offer a triple threat in terms of boosting local SEO:
- Local Authority: Backlinks from local websites and directories lend your business authority, painting a picture of trustworthiness for search engines.
- Local Citations: Backlinks from local directories act as citations, providing consistent information about your business and solidifying your business’s legitimacy.
- Local Relevance: Backlinks from local industry-related websites and blogs help to establish your relevance to your local audience.
Backlinks from local websites, blogs, and directories not only increase your authority but also showcase your relevance.
And when you add backlinks from review sites to the mix, you build an online reputation that signals quality and credibility to search engines.
3. Leverage Your Location (or Overcome its Drawbacks)
There’s another piece to the local SEO puzzle that’s bigger than ever, and that’s your physical location.
We get it. Setting up shop in the heart of the city isn’t as simple as snapping your fingers.
But understanding the strategic advantage of your location can be the game-changer in your local SEO journey.
In the context of local SEO, proximity isn’t merely about how close your business is to the searcher. It’s about your business’s closeness to the heart of the city you’re serving.
When a user searches for a service or product in a specific location, search engines prioritize businesses in or near that area. Your location’s relevance to the search query can dramatically influence your visibility.
Businesses near the city center enjoy a clear advantage in visibility. It’s simple – higher population density and foot traffic mean a larger volume of searches. The result? A greater chance of your business showing up in local search results.
Now, of course, this is a tough factor to control if you’re not located near city centers. Especially for businesses with multiple locations, the impact of location on local SEO can be a tough pill to swallow.
But here’s the silver lining: understanding this allows you to plan strategically and maximize your potential within your given parameters. While changing your location might not be an option, understanding its impact is your key to informed decision-making.
4. Unleash the Potential of Dedicated Service Pages
Remember when adding predefined services to your GBP seemed to have little impact on your local search rankings?
Those were the days. Fast forward to now, and the picture has dramatically changed.
But we recommend taking it a step further. Instead of just listing your services on your GBP, imagine creating a dedicated web page for each service.
Sounds like a lot of work, right? But consider the potential benefits.
Each page is an opportunity to showcase the unique aspects of a service, to paint a vivid picture that attracts and engages your audience. This level of detail can significantly improve your visibility for those specific services.
And there’s more. Optimized service pages can make your website a magnet for relevant keywords. This means higher ranking in search results and a better user experience for your visitors.
Your prospective customers land on a page that directly addresses their needs. No confusion, no navigation nightmare, just straight to the solution they’ve been looking for.
Suddenly, choosing your business becomes the logical next step.
Make Sure Your Service Pages Stand Out
But beware, there’s a fine line between a successful strategy and a SEO pitfall.
While it’s essential to have separate service pages, duplicating content across these pages is a no-go. Remember, each service is unique and deserves its own spotlight.
- Ensure your content is fresh and unique for each service.
- Describe its benefits, its features, and why it’s the perfect solution for your customers.
- Add relevant images, glowing testimonials, and anything else that makes your service stand out.
You must also make it a point to have your GBP landing pages reflect the breadth of your services. If a service isn’t mentioned on your site, Google’s going to have a hard time figuring out what you offer, and so will your potential customers.
By incorporating these services into your GBP landing page, you’re increasing your chances of being recognized in Google’s “website mentions” justifications. Below is the map pack result for the search query ‘buy kids bike’—note the bold text in the top two local results.
With each unique service page, tailored to the local area, you not only boost your SEO efforts but also become a more attractive choice for your customers.
5. Make Quality Content and Internal Links Work
This point follows directly from the previous one about individual service pages, and it comes in two interrelated parts: content and internal linking.
In the journey to harness 2023’s local SEO trends, your greatest ally is high-quality content. But it’s easy to fall into the trap of churning out countless pages, each one basically copying the other.
This is a pitfall you need to avoid, because Google really doesn’t take kindly to duplicate content. Our topline tips to avoid this trap are as follows:
- Focus on creating unique, valuable content for each of your product or service pages, with an emphasis on geographical relevance. Catering to your local audience is crucial.
- Paint a vivid picture of your services, and how they address the unique needs of your local clientele. Remember, you’re not just offering a product or service. You’re providing solutions that make life better. Show them how!
- Punctuate your words with relevant, original images as well. Recognizable local landmarks are a great start, but what you really want is your people and product on the backdrop of those landmarks.
Use Internal Links to Make Your Site a Roadmap
In the realm of local SEO, internal linking is like a GPS system guiding your visitors through your website.
Imagine your visitor, lost in a sea of content, unsure where to go next. The lack of clear directions leaves them frustrated.
So, how do you alleviate this? By implementing a robust internal linking structure.
Directing users to related content or services on your site enhances the user experience. It encourages them to spend more time exploring, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
Understanding and implementing high-quality content and effective internal linking is your solution to a user-friendly, Google-approved site. By addressing these key elements, you’re not only enhancing your local SEO but also providing an enjoyable user experience.
Now, it’s your turn to put these insights into action. Start by auditing your content and internal linking structure. Identify areas for improvement and make the necessary adjustments. This might be a daunting task, but remember, every step you take brings you closer to your goal of a highly optimized, user-friendly website that rules the local SEO landscape.
6. Embrace On-page, Technical SEO, and Local Schema
You’ve got a handle on the 2023 local SEO trends we’ve noticed in reviews, content, and GBP pages.
But if you stop there, you’re missing out.
Enter the world of on-page and technical SEO, with a special focus on local schema—increasingly becoming the path to truly standing out in local search, and to skyrocketing conversions.
Think of on-page and technical SEO as the foundation and the bricks of your online presence. On-page SEO involves optimizing each page of your website to rank higher and earn relevant traffic. Keywords, meta tags, URL structure, and content quality all play a part here.
Technical SEO, on the other hand, focuses on the backend—website speed, XML sitemaps, website security, mobile-friendliness, and so on. These elements might not be immediately visible, but they make a significant difference to your website’s performance and its appeal to search engines.
Each step you take towards optimizing your on-page and technical SEO is a step towards creating a powerful, search-engine friendly website that stands firm amidst the changes in algorithms and trends.
Speak Google’s Language with Local Schema
Imagine having a direct line of communication with Google’s algorithm, telling it exactly what your business is about.
This is basically what local schema can do.
By adding LocalBusiness Schema Markup to your website, you’re not just speaking Google’s language, you’re shouting out loud in it. But not in a rude way. Sanctioned shouting.
What is LocalBusiness schema? It’s a type of markup within the schema.org vocabulary, used to categorize and provide detailed information about local businesses. It translates your content into machine-readable language, or JSON-LD, making it easier for Google to understand and index your site.
Why is this important? Because it makes you eligible for rich results—those eye-catching search results that provide additional information and visuals right in the SERPs.
And the benefits don’t stop there. Rich results attract higher click-through rates, which leads to increased organic traffic, which in turn leads to more conversions.
Google provides documentation on how to add LocalBusiness markup to your website. It may feel like speaking a foreign language at first, but the reward is the opportunity to directly influence how your business appears in search results.
We’ve also heard word of SEOs using ChatGPT to write schema, which could prove a powerful time-saver. We’re sticking with relying on our experts for now, but there’s potential there.
7. Get to Know Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)
This year, Google introduced the Search Generative Experience (SGE), which represents the single most dramatic evolution of the SERP in decades.
And yes, it’s as daunting as it sounds. But let’s break it down.
What we have now are largely observations and conjecture, but these early insights are crucial. Google’s SGE aims to integrate AI into the search results, a significant leap in our SEO journey. Currently, it’s being tested in Google’s Search Labs.
While elements of the SGE Pack and Classic Local Pack overlap, there isn’t a 100% match, indicating a broader net being cast by the SGE. It’s also a clear indication just how much AI will impact local SEO going forward.
As with any new frontier, SGE comes with its share of uncertainty and anticipation. It’s a brave new world, and the rules are still being written. But the promise it holds is too significant to ignore.
The takeaway here is simple: keep SGE on your radar. The year is only halfway through, but AI is already having a huge impact on 2023’s local SEO trends. Embrace the challenge it presents, observe its impact, and adapt your strategies accordingly.
Remember, in this game of digital visibility, the ones who adapt are the ones who thrive. It’s your playing field. Now go forth, explore, and conquer.
Keep an Eye on These 2023 Local SEO Trends
In the ever-evolving landscape of local SEO, keeping up with the shifts and nuances can seem overwhelming.
There’s a lot to take in. But remember, you’re not alone in this journey.
Our agency is here to alleviate that pressure, to help you decode the complexities, and to guide you through this challenging landscape. Reach out to us today and we’ll help pave the way for the successes of tomorrow.