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All lessons in Local SEO Lesson 3.5 of 61

Module 1: Introduction to Local Search

  1. 1.1What is local search marketing?
  2. 1.2How does Google local search work?
  3. 1.3Google Search vs. Google Maps: what's the difference?
  4. 1.4How does Google determine local rankings?
  5. 1.5What is the local search customer journey?

Module 2: Google Business Profile

  1. 2.1How to set up a Google Business Profile
  2. 2.2How to verify a Google Business Profile
  3. 2.3How to choose the right business categories
  4. 2.4How to optimize business information and services
  5. 2.5How to add photos, videos, products, and updates
  6. 2.6How to manage multiple locations in Google Business Profile
  7. 2.7Service-area businesses vs. storefronts

Module 3: Local Keyword Research and Search Intent

  1. 3.1How to find local keywords
  2. 3.2City, neighborhood, and service-based keywords
  3. 3.3Understanding near me searches
  4. 3.4Transactional vs. informational local intent
  5. 3.5How to research local competitors and keywords
  6. 3.6How to map keywords to locations and services

Module 4: Local Landing Pages and Website Optimization

  1. 4.1How to create location landing pages
  2. 4.2How to optimize local service pages
  3. 4.3How to write location-relevant titles and content
  4. 4.4How to build location and service page architecture
  5. 4.5How to avoid duplicate and thin location pages
  6. 4.6Local business schema and structured data
  7. 4.7How to keep your website and Business Profile consistent

Module 5: Reviews and Reputation Management

  1. 5.1Why do reviews matter for local businesses?
  2. 5.2How to build a customer review generation process
  3. 5.3How to respond to positive and negative reviews
  4. 5.4How to handle fake or policy-violating reviews
  5. 5.5Review policies and ethical reputation management
  6. 5.6How to monitor review trends and customer sentiment

Module 6: Local Citations and Business Listings

  1. 6.1What are local citations?
  2. 6.2Name, address, and phone number consistency
  3. 6.3How to find relevant business directories
  4. 6.4How to create and update business listings
  5. 6.5How to identify duplicate and incorrect listings
  6. 6.6Industry-specific and local directory opportunities

Module 7: Local Authority and Competitive Visibility

  1. 7.1How to analyze local search competitors
  2. 7.2How to earn local links through community partnerships
  3. 7.3Local sponsorships, organizations, and media
  4. 7.4How to build local brand recognition
  5. 7.5How to evaluate competitor reviews and business profiles
  6. 7.6How to identify local visibility gaps

Module 8: Local Search Tracking and Reporting

  1. 8.1How to track local rankings across geographic areas
  2. 8.2Understanding Google Business Profile performance
  3. 8.3How to measure calls, website visits, and direction requests
  4. 8.4How to track local leads and conversions
  5. 8.5How to use Google Search Console and Analytics for local SEO
  6. 8.6How to create local search performance reports

Module 9: Local Search Strategy by Business Type

  1. 9.1Local search for restaurants and retail stores
  2. 9.2Local search for service-area businesses
  3. 9.3Local search for professional services
  4. 9.4Local search for healthcare and other regulated industries
  5. 9.5Local search for multi-location businesses
  6. 9.6Local search for new and small businesses

Module 10: Local Search Audits and Practical Projects

  1. 10.1How to conduct a local search audit
  2. 10.2How to audit a Google Business Profile
  3. 10.3How to check local landing pages and citations
  4. 10.4How to evaluate reviews and competitor visibility
  5. 10.5How to build a prioritized local search action plan
  6. 10.6How to create a 30-day local search improvement plan

How to research local competitors and keywords

Inside this lesson

  • How to find your real local competitors
  • What to check in their profiles
  • How to mine their websites for keywords
  • How to use review language for keyword ideas

Short answer

Local competitor research means studying the businesses that rank for your target searches. Check their categories, services, and review words in Google Business Profile, then review their website titles and service pages. Note keywords they target that you do not. This shows gaps you can fill and phrases customers really use.

Find your real local competitors

Search your top three keywords from inside your area. Write down the businesses in each local pack.

These are your local competitors in search. Some may surprise you. A business you never noticed can rank above you.

Also note search competitors in the organic results, like directories or big chains.

Study their Google Business Profiles

For each competitor, check:

  • primary and additional categories
  • the services they list
  • words in their business description
  • number of reviews and rating
  • photos and recent updates

Their services list often reveals keywords you forgot.

Mine their websites

Open their websites. Look at:

  • Title tags in Google results, like “Aircon Cleaning in Pasig | 24/7 Service”
  • their service pages and location pages
  • headings and FAQs

Each page usually targets one keyword. List the pages they have that you do not. This is your keyword gap.

Read their reviews for language

Review language shows how customers really talk. Words like “mabilis ang service,” “malinis,” or “affordable” hint at what matters.

Reviews also mention specific services, like “deep cleaning” or “split type.” These can become keywords and page ideas.

You will go deeper on competitor analysis in Module 7.

Quick quiz

1. Where should you start finding local competitors?
2. What is a keyword gap?
3. Why read competitor reviews?

Common mistakes

  • Studying only well known rivals. Check who actually ranks.
  • Copying competitor content. Use it for ideas, then write your own.
  • Ignoring directories. They take up clicks and can list you too.

Your action

Research the top competitors of your chosen business. Your progress saves on this device.

Key terms

Local competitor
A business that ranks for the same local searches as you.
Search competitor
A site that ranks for your keywords, even if it is not a direct business rival.
Review language
Words customers use in reviews, like 'mabilis' or 'malinis.'
Keyword gap
Keywords competitors target that you do not.
Title tag
The page title shown in search results.

Questions beginners ask

Are my local competitors the same as my business rivals?

Not always. A directory or big chain can be a search competitor even if you never think of them as rivals.

Do I need paid tools?

No. Google Search, Maps, and the competitor's website give a lot of free data.

How many competitors should I study?

Start with the top three in the local pack for your main keyword.

Related lessons

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