HOW TO OUTRANK 99% OF LOCAL BUSINESSES ON GOOGLE MAPS (2025)
Is your local business struggling to appear in Google’s Map Pack?
Imagine 2 roofing companies in Geneva, Switzerland: one dominates local searches, ranking #1 across a 5-km radius, while the other barely registers.
The difference?
A Google Business Profile (GBP) optimized for local SEO.
We’ve helped businesses across many different industries climb to the top of Google Maps, turning searches into sales.
Drawing from the 2025 Local Search Ranking Factors report and our proven strategies, here are four essential SEO tactics to optimize your GBP and boost your Google Map Pack ranking fast.
1. Choose the Right Business Categories
Your GBP’s primary category is the #1 ranking factor for Google Maps, but picking the right one isn’t always straightforward.
Why It Matters: The primary category tells Google what your business does, directly impacting which searches you rank for. Secondary categories (#7 ranking factor) add flexibility.
How to Do It: Research high-volume keywords in your niche using free tools like Google Keyword Planner. For example, an HVAC company in San Diego might find “San Diego plumber” gets 4x more searches than “San Diego HVAC.” Search these keywords on Google Maps using a Chrome extension like GMB Everywhere (link: [insert link]) to see competitors’ primary categories (marked with a star). Choose the one aligning with top performers, and add relevant secondary categories.
Pro Tip: Ensure your website’s landing page (linked from your GBP) includes the primary category keyword in the title and headers (#11 and #15 ranking factors).
Action:
Log into your GBP, go to “Edit Profile,” and update your primary and secondary categories.
Changes typically take effect within 24-72 hours.
2. Optimize Your Business Name with Keywords
Including relevant keywords in your business name is the #2 ranking factor for GBP visibility, but it must align with Google’s guidelines.
Why It Matters: A keyword-rich name boosts rankings for those terms, as seen with clients who’ve gained top spots after strategic name tweaks.
How to Do It: If starting fresh, choose a name with natural keywords (e.g., “Scottsdale Plumbing Pros”). For existing businesses, cautiously add relevant keywords (e.g., “Joe’s Roofing” to “Joe’s Scottsdale Roofing”), ensuring it matches your real-world branding to avoid suspension. For high-risk industries (e.g., locksmiths, plumbers), file a DBA (Doing Business As) to legally adopt a keyword-rich trade name.
Pro Tip: Use Pleper (link: [insert link]) to analyze competitors’ names on Google Maps for keyword inspiration.
Action:
Review your business name.
If needed, update it in your GBP or file a DBA for compliance.
Monitor for ranking improvements within days.
3. Build a Strong Review Profile
Reviews are a powerhouse for GBP rankings, appearing four times in the ranking factors report: quantity (#6), written content (#8), consistency (#13), and recency.
Why It Matters: Positive reviews build trust and signal relevance to Google, boosting your Map Pack position.
How to Do It: Ask every satisfied customer for a review, aiming for a steady stream of 5-star ratings with detailed comments. Use Pleper’s pop-up on Google Maps to compare your review count and average rating against competitors. Encourage customers to include photos, as Google prioritizes these at the top of your profile.
Pro Tip: Respond to all reviews to show engagement, which indirectly supports rankings.
Action:
Set a goal to collect 5 new reviews this week.
Email or text happy clients with a direct review link from your GBP.
4. Add Predefined Services
Predefined services, a recent GBP feature, can make your listing appear in service-specific searches within 24 hours.
Why It Matters: Adding services tailored to your categories increases your visibility for niche searches, a factor likely to rank highly in future reports.
How to Do It: Log into your GBP, click “Edit Services,” and check for predefined services based on your categories. Select all relevant options and save. For example, a plumber might add “water heater repair” or “drain cleaning” to capture related searches.
Pro Tip: Cross-check competitors’ services using GMB Everywhere to ensure you’re covering all relevant options.
Action:
Add all applicable predefined services to your GBP today.
Monitor search performance over the next week.
so you might be asking, if you can do it on your own, Why Work with us?
Optimizing your GBP for the Google Map Pack requires strategy and precision.
Our team has helped businesses like yours dominate local search, driving foot traffic and revenue.
From category selection to review management, we handle the details to maximize your visibility.
Ready to claim the #1 spot in the Google Map Pack and turn searches into customers? Contact us today for a free GBP audit and custom local SEO strategy.
