GMB Ranking Factors: Getting to the Top of Google Maps and Search Results

Getting your business to appear on the top of Google Maps is one of the best ways to naturally get eyes on your business, especially for customers who are ready to buy. While Google has kept their search engine algorithm purposefully hidden, it doesn’t mean that it’s completely out of your control.

There are certain things you can do to give your business the best chance to rank.

The First Thing You See When You Google

After ads, Google shows local maps before they show organic search engine results, which makes it technically position 0 in GMB ranking.

As Google adds more and more features to GMB, there will be new opportunities to get your profile on Google’s radar and by extension, your potential customers.

Any good local SEO campaigns would optimise for business visibility, which includes proper listing, verified information, and a profile actively managed. Google’s search algorithms use signals like contact information, proximity, and updated and relevant content to analyse and show your business to people in the area.

The only limiting factor you need to keep in mind is the search location, which plays a role in where you appear. You won’t appear in searches that are too far from your business but this also applies to your competitors, so optimising for the gaps in service area can help you land customers.

Keep your GMB strong for your slice of the pie.

What Are The GMB Ranking Factors

Here are some general local SEO ranking factors:

Factor	Description
Google Business Profile (GMB) for business owners	A complete and informative business profile will perform better than one that isn’t optimised.
Address of point of Google search	Google prioritises showing businesses physically located near the searcher’s location. Having an accurate address on your GMB listing is crucial.
Directory listings for your local business	Listing your business in relevant online directories can act as a signal to Google that your business is legitimate and active.
Negative and positive reviews in Google, Yelp, or Bing	Positive reviews can significantly improve your GMB ranking, while negative reviews can bring it down. Responding to both positive and negative reviews professionally shows good customer service.
High-quality inbound links or backlinks	While not as crucial for GMB ranking as for traditional SEO, high-quality backlinks from relevant local websites can still play a role.
Number of “Check-Ins” at location	Google may consider the number of check-ins (if enabled) as a sign of engagement and local popularity.
Relevant Citations	Citations refer to mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP information) across the web. Consistency and accuracy of citations across various platforms is important.
Consistent search engine NAP information	NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information should be consistent across your GMB listing, website, and all online directories. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines.
An optimised landing page	Google tracks user behaviour on websites, and a higher dwell time (time spent on the page) from a well-designed landing page can be a positive signal for GMB ranking.

These best practices will ensure that Google recognises you as a credible and active business that customers are looking for.

Google’s Base Standards for Local Ranking

According to Google, they mostly look at three elements when deciding local rankings: relevance, distance, and prominence. Even if your GMB is weak in one of these factors, the three are combined to provide the best listings for searchers. A business that is further away from the user’s location can still rank better than a business that is closer if Google finds it to be more relevant or prominent.

Relevance

Relevance is how well your business matches what a user is searching for. Detailed business information, keywords included in your listing and the relevant services was written in their search query.

Someone specifically looking for a root canal may get dental clinics with a root canal treatment highlighted in their business profile.

Distance

Distance may be the main thing searchers consider when looking for a local business and Google considers this attribute when ranking on Maps. Google wants to make sure that their search results are easily accessible by the searcher based on their current location. This factor is the least flexible and one that businesses can’t change.

Prominence

Prominence refers to how well known a business is. While it’s not comparable to tourist spots for example, prominence can be measured through online mentions, links, articles and directories that lead straight back to the business’ profile or website. Google reviews are especially important in the local search ranking as well as your website’s organic position in the search results, which can be improved with SEO practices.

Optimise So Customers Can Find You with Hypercharge

Hypercharge is your go-to SEO agency in Malaysia for full-fledged SEO solution. We can manage your GMB profile by optimising it for customers to easily find your services and maintaining engagement on the account so Google recognises that you’re an active business. We also offer local search engine optimization so you become more visible to the customers within your service area.

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