Local SEO Checklist
Work through local SEO in dependency order so foundational mistakes do not undermine later tactics.
Explore the Local SEO library
Each guide has a distinct search job while reinforcing the same local-visibility knowledge graph.
Foundation
Confirm business eligibility, accurate contact information, website crawlability, analytics/Search Console and a properly configured Business Profile.
Profile and reviews
Choose accurate categories, complete services and hours, add representative photos, create a compliant review-request process and respond to feedback.
Website and authority
Create strong service and location content, use descriptive internal links, maintain important citations and pursue locally relevant mentions and backlinks.
Measurement and maintenance
Track local pack visibility geographically, monitor Search Console queries and update pages or create new URLs only when Google shows a truly distinct intent.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I run a local SEO checklist?
Run a comprehensive audit at setup and periodically thereafter, with ongoing monitoring for changes to hours, services, reviews, rankings and technical issues.
Should every city get a landing page?
No. Create location pages only when they serve a real business purpose and can provide distinct, useful local information.
What should I fix first?
Eligibility, inaccurate business information and major technical/indexing issues come before advanced content or link campaigns.
Editorial note: Google Business Profile features and local-search behavior change. Time-sensitive claims in this cluster are checked against Google Business Profile and Google Search documentation, with third-party local-search research used as directional evidence.