Local ranking

How Google orders nearby businesses in local results on Maps and Search, mainly by how well each matches the search, how far away it is and how well known it is.

When someone searches for a business or place near them, such as “Italian restaurant” on their phone, they see local results on Google Maps and Search (Google Business Profile Help). Your local ranking is where your business shows up in those results.

Google says local results are mainly based on three factors:

• Relevance: how well a Business Profile matches what someone is searching for.
• Distance: how far each business is from the person searching. If they don’t share where they are, Google uses what it knows about their location.
• Prominence: how well known a business is. Google bases it partly on how many websites link to your business and how many reviews you have.

Can you pay for a better spot?

No. In Google’s words, “There’s no way to request or pay for a better local ranking on Google.” It keeps the details of its search algorithm confidential “to make the ranking system as fair as possible for everyone.”

What you can do in your Business Profile

Google says you can use your Business Profile to improve your local ranking:

• Verify your business, which makes it more likely to show up in search results.
• Keep your details complete and accurate: your address if customers can visit, your hours (special hours too), your business category, and details such as parking or Wi-Fi. Businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up in local results, and if yours is wrong, your profile might not show up for relevant searches in your area.
• Reply to reviews. Positive reviews and helpful replies can help your business stand out, and more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking.
• Add photos and videos. A retail store in an eligible country or region can also show its in-store products.

Related terms

• Google Business Profile
• Link spam

Tools for it

• Local SEO
• Rank tracking

Sources

• https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091 (Oct 12, 2026)

Updated Oct 12, 2026.