local search Google Places ranking factors

Local Map/Places Ranking Factors

Local SEO – Importance of General Signals

Local SEO – Most Positive Factors

General Importance of Claiming Place Page / Local Listing (+4.40)
Business Address in City of Search (+4.16)
Associating Place Page with Proper Categories (+3.91)
Volume of Citations from Major Data Providers + IYP Portals (+3.53)
General Importance of Off-Page / Off-Listing Criteria (+3.35)

Local SEO – Most Harmful Factors

Multiple Place Pages with Same Phone Number (-2.75)
Not Showing Address on Your Place Page (-2.48)
Multiple Place Pages with Same Address (-2.33)
Listing PO Box on Website without a Physical Address (-1.61)
Multiple Place Pages with Same Business Title (-1.35)

Local SEO – Highest Agreement

Business Address in City of Search (+4.16)
WHOIS Record Associated with Your Domain (+0.60)
Volume of Location Service Check-ins (+0.75)
General Importance of Claiming Place Page / Local Listing (+4.40)
Participation in Local PPC or Place Page Advertising (+0.43)

Local SEO – Most Controversial

Defining a Service Area for Your Place Page (+0.47)
Including Location Keywords in Place Page Categories (-0.14)
Location Keyword in Place Page Business Title (1.82)
Choosing List of Areas Served for Your Place Page (1.00)
Not Showing Address on Your Place Page (-2.48)

Local SEO – More Helpful Than in 2009

Associating Photos with Your Place Page (0.56)
General Importance of Claiming Place Page / Local Listing (0.55)
Volume of MyMaps on which Your Business Is Included (0.54)
Age of Place Page (0.49)
Associating Local Area Code as Primary Place Page Phone Number (0.29)

Local SEO – Less Helpful Than in 2009

Including Full Address on Places Landing Page (↓1.08)
Location Keyword in Place Page Description (↓0.99)
Listing Information for Multiple Locations on Places Landing Page (↓0.93)
Multiple Place Pages with Same Phone Number (↓0.89)
Location Keywords in Inbound Links to Website (↓0.83)