# Local SEO

Local SEO — the efforts to help businesses with a physical location or service area rank higher in local search results and the map pack.

**Local SEO (Local SEO)** is the optimization work aimed at helping businesses that serve a specific geographic area (restaurants, clinics, stores, service providers) rank higher in local search results and in the “local pack” on Google Maps.

The main components of Local SEO are:

- **Google Business Profile:** The correct category, business hours, photos, and service list.
- **NAP consistency:** Keeping the business name, address, and phone information the same across the web.
- **Local keywords:** City + service combinations such as “Istanbul dentist.”
- **Reviews:** The number of customer reviews, their average rating, and whether they are responded to.
- **Local backlinks:** Links from sources such as regional news sites, associations, and chambers of commerce.

**Tip:** The local pack (the box where 3 businesses appear with a map) often gets more clicks than the #1 organic position. For this reason, Local SEO should be a priority for geographically targeted businesses.