Local SEO Guide for India
Master Google Maps, optimize your Business Profile, and dominate local search in your city.
Why Local SEO Matters
46% of all Google searches have local intent. "Near me" searches have grown 500% in 5 years. If you serve a local area, local SEO is non-negotiable.
Local Ranking Factors
Google Business Profile
Your GBP is the foundation of local SEO. Claim, verify, and fully optimize it.
On-Page Signals
NAP on website, local keywords in content, city-specific landing pages.
Reviews
Quantity, quality, velocity, and your responses to reviews.
Link Signals
Links from local businesses, newspapers, directories, and organizations.
Citations
Consistent NAP across Justdial, Sulekha, IndiaMART, and other directories.
Behavioral
Click-through rates, mobile clicks to call, driving directions requests.
*Based on Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors Study
Google Business Profile Optimization
Complete Every Field
- Business name (exactly as registered)
- Accurate address with landmark
- Phone number (local number preferred)
- Website URL
- Business hours (including holidays)
- Business category (primary + secondary)
Add Visual Content
- Logo and cover photo
- Interior and exterior photos
- Team photos
- Product/service images
- Short videos (under 30 seconds)
- 360° virtual tour if applicable
Use GBP Features
- Post updates weekly (offers, news, events)
- Add products/services with descriptions
- Enable messaging
- Add booking link if applicable
- Create Q&A and seed common questions
- Add attributes (women-owned, wheelchair accessible, etc.)
Manage Reviews
- Respond to ALL reviews (positive and negative)
- Respond within 24-48 hours
- Include keywords naturally in responses
- Don't use templates — personalize
- Never buy fake reviews
- Set up review request automation
Where to Build Citations in India
General Directories
- Justdial
- Sulekha
- IndiaMART
- TradeIndia
- Yellow Pages India
- Bing Places
Industry-Specific
- Practo (healthcare)
- Zomato (restaurants)
- MakeMyTrip (hotels)
- 99acres (real estate)
- CarDekho (auto)
- Zocdoc alternative platforms
Social Profiles
- Facebook Business
- LinkedIn Company
- Instagram Business
- Twitter/X
- Pinterest Business
- YouTube Channel
Local Links
- Chamber of Commerce
- Local news sites
- Business associations
- Sponsorships
- Local events
- Partnership mentions
Local Content Ideas
- [City] + [Service] landing pages (e.g., 'Dentist in Koramangala')
- Neighborhood-specific guides ('Best Restaurants in Jubilee Hills')
- Local event coverage and sponsorship announcements
- 'How to [solve problem] in [City]' guides
- Customer success stories with location mentions
- Local team and office content
Common Local SEO Mistakes
- • Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across directories
- • Buying fake reviews (Google can suspend your listing)
- • Keyword stuffing in business name
- • Creating duplicate GBP listings for same location
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does local SEO take to work?
You can see improvements in Google Maps rankings within 1-3 months with proper optimization. However, competitive markets may take 6+ months. Reviews and citations have faster impact than traditional SEO factors.
Do I need a physical address for local SEO?
For the Map Pack, yes — Google requires a verified address. However, 'service area businesses' (plumbers, photographers) can hide their address while showing service areas. Virtual offices are risky and can get you suspended.
How important are reviews for local ranking?
Very. Reviews account for ~16% of local ranking factors. But beyond rankings, they significantly impact click-through rates. A 4.5-star business with 100 reviews will outperform a 5-star with 3 reviews in clicks.
Should I create pages for every city I serve?
Only if you have genuine presence there. Google penalizes doorway pages with no real local content. If you serve multiple cities, create unique content for each — not just swapped city names.
What's the difference between local SEO and regular SEO?
Local SEO focuses on ranking in the Map Pack (Google Maps) and local search results. It emphasizes Google Business Profile, citations, and reviews. Regular SEO focuses on organic rankings for non-local queries.
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