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All lessons in Local SEO Lesson 3.1 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 find local keywords

Your roadmap for this lesson

  • What makes a keyword local
  • Free places to find local keyword ideas
  • How to use your own profile data
  • How to build a starter keyword list

Short answer

To find local keywords, start with your services, then add the places you serve. Check Google autocomplete, Google Maps suggestions, People also ask, and competitor profiles for more ideas. Look at the search terms in your Google Business Profile performance report. Use Google Keyword Planner to compare rough search volume.

What makes a keyword local

A local keyword is a search that points to a place. Some name the place, like “catering in Naga.” Others imply it, like “catering near me” or just “catering” on a phone.

Your goal is to find the words nearby customers actually type.

Start with seed keywords

List your main services as seed keywords. For an events business in Albay:

  • catering
  • event venue
  • debut package
  • wedding coordinator

Then add the places you serve: Legazpi, Daraga, Albay, Bicol.

Free places to find more ideas

  • Google autocomplete: type “catering in Legazpi” and note the suggestions.
  • Google Maps: type your service in the Maps search bar and note the suggestions.
  • People also ask: questions like “How much is catering per head in Albay?”
  • Competitor profiles: their services, categories, and review words.
  • Customer questions: what people ask you on calls and chats.

Use your own profile data

Your Google Business Profile performance report shows the search terms that found your business. These are real searches from real customers. Check them monthly.

Check rough search volume

Google Keyword Planner shows estimated monthly searches by location. Set the location to your province or city. Expect ranges, not exact numbers.

Do not drop a keyword just because volume looks low. Local searchers are close and ready to act.

Try it

Sort each search phrase.

Is this a local keyword?

  • catering in Legazpi

  • history of catering

  • debut package near me

  • catering business ideas

Quick quiz

1. What is a seed keyword?
2. Where can you see real searches that found your profile?
3. Should you drop low-volume local keywords?

Common mistakes

  • Only using national keyword tools. Set the location to your area.
  • Ignoring customer language. Customers may say ‘aircon’ while you say ‘HVAC.’
  • Skipping your own profile data. Search terms show exactly how people found you.

Your action

Build a starter keyword list for your chosen business. Your progress saves on this device.

Key terms

Local keyword
A search phrase that includes or implies a location, like 'resort in Albay.'
Seed keyword
A basic service word you start with, like 'catering.'
Autocomplete
The suggestions Google shows as you type.
Search terms report
The list of searches that showed your Google Business Profile.
Search volume
A rough estimate of how often a phrase is searched each month.

Questions beginners ask

Do local keywords have low search volume?

Often, yes. But the people searching them are close by and ready to buy, so even small numbers matter.

Is Google Keyword Planner free?

It is free to use with a Google Ads account. Exact volumes may show as ranges unless you run ads.

How many local keywords do I need?

Start with a short list for each main service and area. You can grow it later.

Related lessons

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