When it comes to attracting nearby customers, Local SEO and Google Maps SEO are two powerful strategies—but they’re not the same. Understanding how they differ and how they work together can help your business dominate local search results and drive more traffic both online and offline.
{getToc} $title={Table of Contents}What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website and online presence to appear in search results for location-based queries. This includes keywords like “best pizza near me” or “plumber in Chicago.”
Key elements of Local SEO:
- Optimizing website content with local keywords
- Creating location-specific landing pages
- Building local backlinks and citations
- Embedding Google Maps on your site
- Ensuring mobile responsiveness and fast loading speed
What Is Google Maps SEO?
Google Maps SEO focuses specifically on optimizing your Google Business Profile to rank higher in Google Maps and the Local Pack. It’s about making your business more visible when users search within the map interface or location-based results.
Key elements of Google Maps SEO:
- Completing and verifying your Google Business Profile
- Choosing accurate business categories
- Adding geo-tagged photos and videos
- Collecting and responding to customer reviews
- Posting regular updates via Google Posts
Why You Need Both Strategies
While Local SEO helps your website rank in organic search results, Google Maps SEO ensures your business appears in map-based searches and mobile queries. Together, they create a comprehensive local presence that increases visibility, builds trust, and drives conversions.
Benefits of combining both:
- Higher chances of appearing in both organic and map results
- Improved brand credibility and customer trust
- More traffic to your website and physical location
- Better performance in “near me” and voice searches
🔗 Internal Link Suggestions
To dive deeper into optimizing your Google Business Profile, check out our guide: 7 Ways to Boost Your Google Maps Ranking for Small Businesses
Want to learn how reviews impact your ranking? Read: 10 Common Mistakes in Google Maps SEO
📈 Conclusion
Local SEO and Google Maps SEO are not competing strategies—they’re complementary. By investing in both, you’ll maximize your visibility across platforms, attract more qualified leads, and grow your business in your target area.