When you’re in native search engine optimisation, you’ve undoubtedly heard of “close to me” searches. These are the magical queries – like “plumber close to me” or “dentist close to me” – that join searchers with companies near their location.
However do you know there’s a surprisingly easy, and fairly ridiculous tactic to assist your corporation rank larger for these searches? It really works. However don’t take my phrase for it – I’ll present you some examples.
What Are “Close to Me” Searches?
When somebody searches for one thing like “plumber close to me,” Google routinely considers the consumer’s proximity to companies. Many SEOs argue you could’t affect these outcomes as a result of Google already makes use of location information to point out the closest choices.
I’ve shoppers say on a regular basis, “However Pleasure, Google is wise sufficient to know what you imply – you don’t have to inform them.”
The neatest SEOs know the way not-smart Google actually is.
Whereas proximity is baked into Google’s algorithm, there are methods to rank your corporation larger within the rankings for these searches.
The Trick for Rating Higher for “Close to Me” Searches
Sure, it’s so simple as including phrases like “close to me” or “close to you” to your web site’s titles, headers, and URLs.
You’re welcome.
When you’re nonetheless skeptical, you’re not alone – nearly everybody I speak to about that is. So right here is an instance.
The BBB most likely does the most effective job at this tactic, as they actually have “close to me” in every single place (instance).
They rank very effectively consequently.
Does “Close to You” Work as Nicely as “Close to Me”?
Yep. Utilizing “close to you” is usually higher as a result of it reads extra naturally to customers. If you embody “close to you” in your content material, we’ve discovered Google treats it as interchangeable with “close to me.”
Case Examine: How This Works for Small Companies
Right here’s an instance of a dentist we labored with. Their web site wasn’t rating a lot for “close to me” searches, and we added situations of “close to you” to their titles, headers, and URLs.
Nonetheless not satisfied? Right here is one other one exhibiting a earlier than/after image of how a lawyer ranks for “close to me” for his or her major key phrase sample.
Is This Spammy?
It would sound spammy since you’re optimizing for Google reasonably than customers. However we haven’t seen any indication that it harms consumer expertise.
After we implement this for shoppers, the one end result we see is healthier rating, thus extra site visitors, and extra conversions.
When “Close to Me” Optimization Doesn’t Work
It’s vital to notice that we’ve solely seen this tactic affect natural search rankings, not the Google Maps or native pack rankings.
Ought to You Use This Tactic?
Sure. Whereas it appears straightforward, and silly, it really works.
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