Local SEO 2025: The 20-Minute Google Maps Strategy Nobody Talks About!

Hey everyone, and welcome back to the channel! In today’s video, I’m going to share a powerful Google Maps strategy that you can implement in just about 20 minutes to help you get more views and ultimately rank higher locally. This is a hands-on, actionable approach that often gets overlooked

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Episode Transcript

(0:15) (Dedication – As in the Video)

Before we dive in, this video is dedicated to my friend Darren Marian, who we sadly lost on November 14th, 2021. Love you, brother. This one’s for you.

(0:30) (The Problem & Going Back to Basics – Similar to Cochrane’s initial questions)

Recently, a friend of mine was struggling to understand why one of his pages wasn’t ranking in Google Maps. After some troubleshooting, we decided to go back to the fundamentals. It’s amazing how often the simplest things can have the biggest impact.

(0:50) (The 20-Minute Google Maps Strategy – Main Content, broken down into steps like chapters):

Here’s the step-by-step strategy we uncovered:

  • (0:55) Step 1: Check Your Website Indexing (Approx. 5 minutes)

    • The very first thing you need to do is ensure that Google has actually indexed all of the important pages on your website. To do this, go to Google and type in site:yourdomainname.com (without the www., https://, or any trailing slashes or page names).
    • If you have, for example, a 25-page website, you need to see all 25 pages listed in the search results. If Google hasn’t indexed a page, it won’t show up in search results, including Google Maps for relevant keywords on that page.
    • We discovered that in my friend’s case, several pages were missing from Google’s index. This often happens because Google might deem older, unupdated content as “boring” and de-index it to save server space.
    • Important: Make a habit of checking your site indexing every couple of months. It’s a surprisingly easy way to identify and fix ranking issues.
    • Also, make sure to remove any template pages like “Hello World,” “Uncategorized Archives,” or “Admin Author” from your website. These offer no value and should not be indexed.
  • (6:00) Step 2: Verify Your GMB Category (Approx. 5 minutes)

    • Having the correct Google My Business (GMB) category is crucial for ranking in Google Maps. I’ve seen instances where simply changing the GMB category led to immediate ranking improvements.
    • To find the most relevant categories for your business, I recommend using a free Chrome extension called GMB Everywhere. You can find the link in the description below.
    • Once installed, this tool adds extra buttons to Google Maps. Click on a local business in your niche and use the “Category Finder” feature. This will show you the primary and secondary categories they are using.
    • More importantly, under each category, GMB Everywhere reveals the keywords associated with that service. This helps you identify the most appropriate category to target the keywords you want to rank for.
    • Ensure your primary category accurately reflects your core business. Don’t make the mistake of having a category that’s close but not quite right.
  • (11:00) Step 3: Analyze Top Competitors’ SEO Basics (Approx. 5 minutes)

    • Now, let’s look at what your top-ranking competitors are doing with their on-page SEO. Install another free Chrome extension called Detailed (look for the purple “d” icon – link in the description).
    • Search for your main keyword on Google Maps (e.g., “top Brooklyn electrician”).
    • Open the website of one of the top 3-4 ranking businesses.
    • Click the Detailed extension icon. You want to pay attention to two key things:
      • Title Tag: This is what appears in the browser tab. It should ideally include your target keywords and location.
      • H1 Tag: This is the main heading on the page. Similar to the title tag, it should also incorporate your important keywords.
    • By analyzing the title tags and H1 tags of your competitors, you can gain insights into the keywords they are prioritizing. Make sure your own website’s title tags and H1 tags on your relevant service pages are optimized with similar, relevant keywords. If you’re unsure how to do this on your website (e.g., WordPress), reach out to your web developer.
  • (16:00) Step 4 & 5: Leveraging the Local Ranking Grid & Geo-Targeted Actions (Approx. 5 minutes – combined strategy)

    • To understand your current ranking position for specific keywords across a local area, you need to use a grid program. Examples mentioned are Local Dominator (currently preferred) and Local Falcon. These are paid tools.
    • These tools allow you to input your target keyword (e.g., “Brooklyn HVAC”) and see where your business ranks in the Google Maps 3-pack across a grid of locations. Green indicates ranking in the top 3, while yellow, orange, and red suggest lower or no ranking in those areas.
    • Now, here’s a strategy to influence your local ranking (do not overdo this – 1-2 times per week maximum):
      • Identify an area on the grid where you are not ranking well but would like to.
      • Contact a trusted friend or client who lives in that specific area.
      • Ask them to search for your target keyword on Google Maps from their location.
      • They should then scroll down in the search results and find your business listing.
      • The crucial step is to have them click on your listing and then make a call to your business directly through Google Maps. This sends a strong signal to Google that someone in that specific area found your business relevant and contacted you. Do not have multiple people do this on the same day or within a short timeframe.
  • (21:00) Step 6: Geo-Targeted Reviews with Keywords (Ongoing)

    • Encourage your satisfied clients to leave 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile.
    • Specifically, ask them if they would be willing to include the target keyword and their general location (if comfortable) in their review. For example, “As a resident of [Neighborhood], I was looking for a Brooklyn electrician and found [Your Business Name]. Joe and his team did a fantastic job…”.
    • You can easily share a direct link for leaving reviews with your clients.
    • Getting 1-2 keyword-rich, geo-targeted reviews per week can significantly help your ranking for those specific terms.
  • (23:30) (Bonus – Risk Taker Strategy – Use with Caution!)

    • This is a more aggressive tactic and comes with potential risks. Consider this at your own discretion.
    • If you are targeting a specific keyword (e.g., “Brooklyn electrician”), you could consider temporarily including that keyword in your GMB business name (e.g., changing “Bruno Electric” to “Bruno Brooklyn Electric”).
    • The speaker notes that this can often lead to a quick boost in rankings for that keyword.
    • However, this violates Google’s guidelines if it’s not your actual business name and competitors may report you, potentially leading to GMB suspension or your name being changed back by Google. If Google changes it back, do not attempt to change it again.
    • Many businesses do this and get away with it, but be aware of the risks involved. The speaker explicitly states he is not recommending this, and it’s for entertainment purposes only.
  • (26:30) Step 7: Optimize Your Google Business Profile Pictures

    • Don’t underestimate the power of your GMB profile pictures. People often choose a business based on the visual appeal of their listing.
    • Use high-quality, relevant pictures that showcase your work, team, or business in an inviting way. Avoid generic or unprofessional-looking images. A friendly staff photo can be very effective.

(28:30) (Conclusion – Similar to Podcast Outro)

So, there you have it – a 20-minute Google Maps strategy that can make a real difference in your local SEO efforts. Remember to focus on the fundamentals, utilize the right tools, and consistently implement these steps.

(29:00) (Call to Action & Encouragement – Similar to Cochrane’s closing)

If you found these tips helpful, please like this video and subscribe to the channel so we can reach more business owners like you. Also, ask any questions you have about local SEO or Google Maps in the comment section below – it helps us create more valuable content.

The reason I share these strategies is because I know how frustrating it can be to navigate the world of online marketing. My goal is to provide actionable tips that can help you improve your Google ranking, grow your business, and ultimately provide a better life for your family. Just remember, while working on your business is important, don’t forget to be present with your loved ones.

Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!