On this page
Key takeaways
- Google ranks local results mainly by relevance, distance, and prominence, and you cannot pay for a higher map position.
- Start with a verified profile under your real-world business name, the right address or service area, and only the categories that are true.
- Real photos, honest reviews, and a reply to every review keep a profile active and trusted.
- Your website and other listings should match your profile exactly, and genuine local mentions and links build prominence.
How Google ranks local results. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well your profile matches the search. Distance is how far you are from the searcher. Prominence is how well known you are, which Google says reflects things like links to your business and your reviews. You cannot pay for a higher position.
The 12 steps
1. Claim and verify your profile
Search for your business on Google and Google Maps. If a profile exists, claim it. If not, create one. Verify it, because an unverified profile limits what you can do.
2. Use your real-world business name
Google says your name should reflect your business as used consistently on your storefront, website and stationery. Adding keywords or extra information to the name is not permitted and can lead to suspension.
3. Set your address or service area correctly
Use a precise address if customers visit you. Google does not accept P.O. boxes, mailboxes at remote locations or virtual offices. If you travel to customers, hide the address and list service areas by city or ZIP code instead. See our service-area guide.
4. Choose the fewest categories that describe your core business
Pick the primary category that matches your most valuable service, and add secondary categories only where they are true.
5. Fill in services, attributes and hours
List every service with a plain description. Add attributes that apply, regular hours, and special hours for holidays and events. Austin festival weekends, such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, are a good reminder to check.
6. Add real photos
Show your location, team and finished work, and add new photos every month. Photos make a profile look active and trusted.
7. Earn real reviews
Ask customers soon after a real job, with a direct link. Never offer a reward, and never ask only the happy ones: Google prohibits both. Read our reviews guide.
8. Reply to every review
Short, specific and calm. A good reply to a negative review often matters more than the review.
9. Make your website match your profile
Use the same name, address or service area, phone number and services. Add a page for each core service, and an area page only where you really have jobs and reviews to show.
10. Keep your listings consistent
Check your details on the directories people use in Austin and fix any that are wrong or outdated. Inconsistent facts confuse both Google and AI assistants.
11. Earn local mentions and links
Because prominence reflects how well known you are, genuine local coverage, sponsorships, partner links and community mentions help. Buying links does not.
12. Measure, and check from different places
Track calls, direction requests and website clicks from your profile. Then check how you appear from different parts of Austin. A search in Hyde Park and the same search in Round Rock can show different businesses, because distance matters.
What not to do
- Fake, bought or staff-written reviews
- Keywords in the business name
- Duplicate profiles for the same business
- A virtual office or mailbox as your address
- Changing your name, address or category again and again
If you would like us to run this checklist on your business, ask for a free audit.
Related readingLocal SEO for small business owners in Austin: a starter planWritten by the Best SEO in Austin team
We help Austin service businesses, clinics, and firms get recommended by AI and found on Google Maps. Terms are month to month, and you own every account.
