What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO is the practice of making your business more visible in location-based searches — “plumber near me,” “boat detailing Marathon,” “best breakfast Key West.” It’s distinct from traditional SEO because Google uses a different algorithm, and shows different results, when it detects local intent.

The three results that matter

For local searches, Google shows a map with three business listings — the “map pack” — above the regular results. Those three positions capture the majority of clicks and calls. Local SEO is largely the competition for those spots.

What Google actually weighs

Google’s own documentation names three factors: relevance (does your business match the search), distance (how close you are to the searcher), and prominence (how well-known and well-reviewed you are). You can’t move your building, but you can dramatically improve relevance and prominence — through your Google Business Profile, your website’s local content, your reviews, and consistent business information across the web.

Why it matters more in the Keys

The island chain creates unusually strong proximity effects: a searcher in Islamorada rarely sees Key West businesses. That means each community is its own winnable market — and a business that builds relevance across multiple islands can dominate a surprising stretch of coastline.

Where to start

Claim and complete your Google Business Profile, fix inconsistent listings, start generating reviews weekly, and give each core service a real page on your website. Those four moves outrank most competitors in smaller Keys markets — and they’re exactly where we begin with new clients.