LOCAL SEARCH
One search.Different streets.
The same search phrase can return different local results from different locations. A position observed on one street does not describe visibility across an entire town.
Local ranking01 / SEARCH CONTEXT
Locationis context.
Google's local results consider relevance, distance and prominence. A position observed from one location describes that search context; the observation does not establish a fixed position for an entire town.
Local ranking- Relevance
The match between the search and the business information. Complete, specific profile details describe the business more accurately.
Local ranking- Distance
The distance between a business and the location used for the search. Google estimates location when a location is not shared.
Local ranking- Prominence
How well known a business is. Google's guidance includes links to the business and review signals; distance alone is not the complete local comparison.
Local ranking
The location behind the result.
Google can use device location, saved account places, earlier activity or the connection's IP address to determine search location.Search location
The location indication at the bottom of search results identifies the estimated location and its source. That displayed context belongs in the observation record.Search location
An IP-based estimate is one of Google's documented location sources. Private browsing alone is therefore insufficient evidence of a location-neutral comparison.Search location
02 / COVERAGE AND CATEGORY
Coverage isa business fact.
A Business Profile service area describes where service is provided. Google's service-area guidance does not document guaranteed visibility throughout that area. The absence of a guaranteed boundary is not evidence of zero ranking influence.
Service areas
Operating coverage and an observed search result belong in separate records.
Service-area business
Service is provided away from the business address. Visitors are not served at that address.
Service areasHybrid business
Service is provided at the business address and at other locations. Address and service area describe separate parts of that operation.
Service areasService areas are entered as cities, postcodes or other named areas. The setting is not a configurable circular radius.
Service areasThe business type.
The primary category should be the most specific available category that accurately describes the business.
Business categoriesAdditional categories describe the business. Categories are not a catalogue of every individual product.
Business categories03 / PROFILE PERFORMANCE
A click isan interaction.
Business Profile performance records specific interactions. The interaction definition and the corresponding business outcome are separate records. A total can include organic and Ads interactions.
Profile performanceCalls
Clicks on the Business Profile call button.
Profile performanceThe click count alone does not establish an answered call or an appointment.
Profile performancePhone record
- Call time
- Connected or missed
- Reason for the call
- Appointment recorded
The telephone record identifies what happened after contact.
Website clicks
Clicks on the website link in the Business Profile.
Profile performanceThe link-click count alone does not establish a submitted enquiry.
Profile performanceWebsite enquiry record
- Submission time
- Destination page
- Enquiry reference
- Attribution context when available
The website record identifies an actual submission and its available context.
Directions
Requests for directions from the Business Profile.
Profile performanceThe directions-request count alone does not establish a completed visit.
Profile performanceVisit or appointment record
- Visit or appointment date
- Attendance recorded
- Contact source when known
The business record identifies whether a visit took place.
The presence of Ads interactions means the combined profile-performance total cannot automatically be assigned to organic SEO. Attribution requires separate observation context.Profile performance
THE OBSERVATION RECORD
A record beforea conclusion.
A geographic comparison holds the search phrase and result surface constant. The recorded locations differ. A time comparison holds the location, phrase and surface constant while retaining the dates.
- 01
The exact phrase
The complete wording belongs in the record, including any place name.
- 02
The location context
The location displayed with the results belongs beside the observation. A different street and an unknown location are different conditions.
- 03
The result surface
A local business result, website listing and advertisement require separate entries.
- 04
The date and observation
The date, result presence and available browser or report context identify the snapshot. Missing context remains marked as unknown.
Two observation records.
Entries remain in the current page. No record is sent.
No comparison prepared.
Local search observation record
| Recorded observation | Observation A | Observation B |
|---|---|---|
| Exact search phrase | ||
| Location shown with the results | ||
| Observation date | ||
| Observation time | ||
| Result surface | ||
| Business presence | ||
| Browser or report context |
Different phrases
A business-name search compared with a service search.
A geographic comparison uses the same complete phrase at each recorded location.
Different result surfaces
A local business result compared with a website listing.
The same result surface is recorded on both sides. Website and local-business observations stay separate.
Missing location
A position recorded without the location used for the search.
The observation retains the displayed location context, or the location is marked as unknown.
Mixed attribution
Combined profile-performance interactions treated as an organic SEO total.
Profile interactions and any separate organic or Ads attribution are retained as distinct records.
Advertising participation does not change inclusion or ranking in Google's web search. An advertisement and a website result remain separate observations.
Web searchScopefirst.
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