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All lessons in Local SEO Lesson 6.3 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 relevant business directories

Covered here

  • Which core platforms every business needs
  • How to find local and Philippine directories
  • How to judge a directory's quality
  • How to find where competitors are listed

Short answer

To find relevant business directories, start with core platforms like Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect, Bing Places, and Facebook. Then add Philippine and local directories such as Yellow Pages PH and Azifind, plus industry sites for your field. Choose directories that real customers use, that are indexed by Google, and that list competitors.

Start with core platforms

These core platforms reach most customers:

  • Google Business Profile: Search and Maps
  • Apple Business Connect: Apple Maps on iPhones
  • Bing Places: Bing search and Microsoft products
  • Facebook Page: where many Filipinos look up businesses first
  • Waze: useful for drivers; make sure your location appears correctly

Add Philippine and local directories

General directories list all kinds of businesses. In the Philippines, options include Yellow Pages PH and Azifind. Local tourism offices, chambers of commerce, and city business directories may also list you.

Add niche directories

Niche directories match your industry: Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and Agoda for hotels and resorts; food delivery apps for restaurants; doctor booking platforms for clinics. Lesson 6.6 covers these.

Judge directory quality

Before listing, check:

  • Does the directory show up in Google for searches in your area? Search “dentist Legazpi” and see which directories appear.
  • Is it indexed? Search site:directoryname.com plus your city.
  • Does it list real, active businesses?
  • Does it get real visitors, or is it full of spam?

See where competitors are listed

Do a competitor citation search. Search your top competitor’s name and phone number. Note every directory that appears. These are likely good options for you too.

Try it

Decide which directories are worth it.

Should you list here?

  • A directory that appears in Google for 'resort Albay'

  • A site with thousands of random links and no visitors

  • Apple Business Connect

  • A foreign directory unrelated to your country or industry

Quick quiz

1. Which is a core platform?
2. How can you find good directories quickly?
3. What is a niche directory?

Common mistakes

  • Buying bulk directory packages. Many are low quality.
  • Skipping Apple and Bing. They reach customers Google misses.
  • Ignoring industry sites. They often bring the best leads.

Your action

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

Key terms

Core platforms
The major listing services most customers use, like Google, Apple, Bing, and Facebook.
General directory
A directory covering all business types.
Niche directory
A directory for one industry, like travel or healthcare.
Indexed
Visible in Google's search results.
Competitor citation search
Finding the listings where competitors appear.

Questions beginners ask

Are paid directory listings worth it?

Only if the directory sends real customers. Check its traffic and whether competitors get results there.

How do I know if a directory is spam?

Signs include no real visitors, thousands of random links, and pages not showing on Google.

Do Facebook Pages count as directories?

They act like one, with name, address, phone, hours, and reviews.

Related lessons

Want someone to handle SEO for your business while you learn? The team at Remar Digital can help.