If you aim to rank in Google’s Local Pack (Map Pack) or improve your local organic visibility, you must understand the ranking signals that matter most. Based on the latest industry research, like the Whitespark Local Search Ranking Factors, and proven SEO best practices, here’s a breakdown of the top 50 local SEO ranking factors you should prioritize.

🔵 Google Business Profile (GBP) Signals

These factors directly impact your visibility in Google Maps and the Local Pack.

1. Primary category selection

2. Business name keyword inclusion (Caution: Risky if done unnaturally)

3. Proximity of the  business address to the searcher

4. Use of additional GBP categories

5. Fully completed GBP profile

6. High volume of positive GBP reviews

7. Presence of keywords in review text

8. Recency and frequency of reviews

9. Timely responses to customer reviews

10. Photos uploaded to GBP (by both the owner and users)

🟢 On-Page SEO Signals

Your website’s local relevance starts with on-page optimization.

11. NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) across all pages

12. Local keywords in title tags

13. City/State in landing page titles

14. City/State in meta descriptions

15. City/State mentioned in H1 and body content

16. Embedded Google Map on the contact or location page

17. Local Business/Organization schema markup

18. Dedicated location pages (for multi-location businesses)

19. Mobile-friendly and fast-loading website

20. Internal linking to local content pages

🔴 Review Signals

Customer feedback plays a huge role in trust and ranking.

21. Total volume of reviews across multiple platforms

22. Overall star rating (average review score)

23. Diversity of review sources (Google, Yelp, etc.)

24. Review velocity (consistent growth over time)

25. Use of keywords in customer review content

26. Business owner’s responsiveness to reviews

27. Review length and detail

28. Authenticity and natural review patterns

🟠 Citation Signals

Consistency across local directories helps confirm your legitimacy.

29. NAP consistency across all citation platforms

30. Number of structured local citations

31. Authority of citation sources

32. Presence in major data aggregators (e.g., Neustar, Foursquare)

33. Citations with rich data (photos, categories, business hours)

34. Industry-specific citation listings

35. City or region-specific citations

36. Regular audits and cleanup of outdated citations

🟣 Local Link Signals

Backlinks still matter—especially from local and relevant sources.

37. Number of backlinks to location-specific pages

38. Local relevance of referring domains

39. Anchor text containing keywords or city name

40. Backlinks from local organizations or businesses

41. Mentions in local news or blogs

42. Local event sponsorships and partnerships

🟤 Behavioral Signals

User engagement helps Google determine if your listing satisfies intent.

43. Click-through rate (CTR) from local search results

44. Time spent on your site (dwell time)

45. Bounce rate on location pages

46. Driving directions requested from GBP

47. Click-to-call actions via GBP or website

48. User check-ins or other interactions with your profile

⚫ Personalization & Other Factors

Google tailors local results based on user context.

49. Searcher’s device location and past behavior

50. Social media signals and user-generated content (less direct, but supportive)

✅ Pro Tip

Start with the essentials:

• Optimize your Google Business Profile

• Ensure NAP consistency

• Build robust local landing pages

Then scale out reviews, citations, and local links over time for sustained visibility.