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All lessons in Local SEO Lesson 2.6 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 manage multiple locations in Google Business Profile

Inside this lesson

  • Why each branch needs its own profile
  • How business groups work
  • When bulk verification applies
  • How to keep data consistent across branches

Short answer

To manage multiple locations in Google Business Profile, create one profile for each branch that serves customers in person. Group them in a business group, keep the brand name consistent, and give each branch its own local phone, hours, and landing page. Businesses with ten or more locations may qualify for bulk verification.

One profile per branch

Every branch that serves customers in person needs its own profile. A lechon chain with branches in Cebu City, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu needs three profiles.

Each profile should have:

  • the same brand name
  • its own address and map pin
  • its own local phone number, if possible
  • its own hours
  • a link to its own location page on the website

Use business groups

A business group is a folder in Business Profile Manager. It holds many locations in one place.

Groups let you add users once for all branches. Head office can stay the owner, while branch managers get manager access to their own profiles.

Bulk verification

Brands with ten or more locations can apply for bulk verification. Instead of verifying each branch one by one, Google reviews the business as a whole.

Smaller chains verify each branch separately, like a single business.

Keep data consistent

With many branches, mistakes spread fast. Use a master spreadsheet with each branch’s name, address, phone, hours, categories, and store code.

Use the same categories for similar branches. Use the same naming pattern everywhere. Update holiday hours for all branches at once.

Watch for closed branches

When a branch closes, mark its profile as permanently closed. Do not delete it or leave it active. Customers trust closed markers more than missing listings.

Try it

Sort each practice.

Is this a good multi-location practice?

  • Give each branch its own local phone number

  • Use one profile for all branches

  • Link each profile to its own location page

  • Leave a closed branch marked as open

Quick quiz

1. How many profiles does a brand with five branches need?
2. What is a business group?
3. Who qualifies for bulk verification?

Common mistakes

  • Linking every branch to the homepage. Link each one to its own location page.
  • Different names for the same brand. Keep naming consistent unless signage differs.
  • Deleting closed branches. Mark them as permanently closed.

Your action

If your chosen business has branches, check them. If not, use any chain you know. Your progress saves on this device.

Key terms

Location
One branch of a business with its own address.
Business group
A folder in Business Profile Manager that holds many locations.
Bulk verification
A way for brands with ten or more locations to verify them together.
Store code
A unique ID you give each location to track it.
Location page
A page on your website for one branch.

Questions beginners ask

Can one profile cover all branches?

No. Each branch with its own address and customers needs its own profile.

Should branch names include the city?

Only if that is how the branch is actually named on signage. Otherwise keep the brand name the same.

Who should manage each branch profile?

Head office should stay the owner. Branch managers can get manager access for daily updates.

Related lessons

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