If you own a business and want to show up prominently in local search results, especially in the 3-pack at the top of Google Search, you need to optimize your Google My Business or Google Business Profile with the right keywords.
This means carefully choosing and including keywords that potential customers might use when searching for services or products like yours. It can also help Google understand what your business offers and give signal to Google to ensure your business appears in relevant local searches.
To stand out from competitors, you need to include specific keywords that highlight your unique features.
For example, if you’re open 24 hours and offer a co-working space, make sure to mention these in your profile. So, when people search for “24 hour coffee shop in Jakarta” or “co-working cafe in Jakarta,” your business will be more likely to appear in the top search results like below.
Where can I add keywords on Google My Business?
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- Add Keywords as Business Categories: Pick categories that match your business and the terms people use to find what you offer.
- Add Keywords to Your Business Description: Write a clear description of your business using relevant keywords to make it easier for customers to find you.
- Use Keywords in Products/Services: List your products or services with keywords to help customers discover what you offer.
- Add Keywords to Business Attributes: Include keywords in sections like services or special features to enhance searchability.
- Update Posts with Keywords: Regularly post updates using keywords related to your latest offers or events to keep your profile active.
- Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review and update your keywords based on performance and changes in local map pack result.
Before you start to add keywords to your Google My Business, make sure to set up your Google My Business Profile first. If you haven’t done that yet, check out our ‘How to Register on Google My Business‘ guide.
The Importance of Keywords in Google My Business
Keywords are critical for improving search visibility. By integrating relevant keywords into your business description, services, and posts, GMB listings can more accurately target potential customers searching for related products or services.
Using specific keywords rather than broad terms increases the chance of appearing in local searches. For example, a bakery might use “Artisan bread” instead of just “bread.”
Plus, you need to add the location, instead of just “Artisan bread”, be more specific and use “Artisan bread in Bronx”.
Additionally, monitoring competitors’ listings can offer insights into effective keyword usage and help your business to stay on top. Keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush can help identify useful keywords.
Once you’re set up and understand the role of keywords on google my business for SEO, follow these steps to start adding your keywords on GMB.
1. Add Keywords to Your Business Categories Field
The business category in your Google My Business Profile is crucial for attracting the right customers. It’s the primary keyword that helps people find your business. A comprehensive keyword research helps in identifying the phrases potential customers are likely to use.
Examine competitors’ listings to spot common keywords. Focus on long-tail keywords as they are more specific and less competitive.
For example: if you have a web development company, here’s how to effectively use categories on your Google My Business Profile:
- Select Accurate Categories from the Options: Your primary business category should clearly describe what you do. For instance, if you run a web development company, “Web Design” or “Web hosting” would be a suitable choice. This category helps target the broadest range of potential clients searching for web development services.
- Add Relevant Additional Categories: To capture more specific searches, add secondary categories that highlight your additional services. You can maybe include categories such as “IT services”, “SEO Services” or “UX Designer.”
- Expand Your Reach: Adding multiple relevant categories increases your chances of appearing in various searches. For example, if you add “E-commerce Developer” as an additional category, you’ll attract clients specifically looking for expertise in e-commerce websites.
- Update and Save: Once you’ve selected and added all relevant categories, click “Save” to update your profile. This ensures your business shows up in searches that match the categories you’ve chosen.
By carefully selecting and adding the relevant business categories, your web development company will be better positioned to attract a wider range of potential clients.
2. Add Keywords to Your Business Description
Integrate identified keywords naturally within your business description. Ensure the description remains engaging and easy to read while embedding keywords. It’s your opportunity to showcase what your business offers and why people should choose you.
You can enhance your chances to appear in the top local map-pack through GMB description by following these tips:
- Start with the Target Keyword: Begin your description with the keyword you want to rank for. For example, “Sustainable Fashion.”
- Include the City: Since it’s a local search, adding the city is crucial. For instance, “New York.”
- Front-load the Keyword: Place the keyword at the very start of your description for maximum impact. For example, “Sustainable Fashion in New York.”
By using these simple steps, you can make your GMB profile more visible and attract more local customers. Avoid keyword stuffing as it can penalize your listing.
You can edit this on NMX by clicking ‘Edit Profile’ and go directly to the ‘About’ section or Alternatively, you can update your business description using SEOCopilot’s GMB optimization feature for pro tips and recommendationsCheck out a more detailed tips on this on our Ultimate Guide on Crafting a Great Google My Business Description.
3. Use Keywords in Products/Services
Adding keywords to your product and service descriptions helps Google and users understand what you offer and who can benefit most. Here’s how:
- Access Your Products: Go to the “Your business on Google” menu and select “Edit products.”
- Start Adding Products: If you haven’t added any products yet, click “Get started” when the window pops up.
- Edit Existing Products: If you already have products listed, you’ll see them displayed.
- Edit Product Details: Click on any product to edit its details. If it’s your first time, the fields will be blank.
- Optimize Product Descriptions: Use the text box to clearly describe your product. Make sure readers understand its value immediately and include relevant keywords. For a web developer company, you might write: “Custom website development” and “SEO-optimized web design.” The first phrase describes the core service, and the second highlights a valuable feature.
- Publish Your Changes: Click “Publish” and repeat the process for each product or service.
By following these steps, you ensure your web development services are clearly communicated and easily discoverable by potential clients.
4. Add Keywords to Business Attributes
Adding factual attributes to your profile increases the chances of your business appearing in target customers’ search results. Factual attributes are predefined descriptions of your business’s offerings or features, like if you own a restaurant, then whether your restaurant has outdoor seating or your store offers delivery.
For example, if someone searches for “Chicago restaurant with outdoor seating,” the top results will be businesses that have confirmed they offer outdoor seating when setting up or updating their Google Business Profile.
Google highlights these attributes in search results, such as “outdoor seating” in bold, to show the relevance to the search query.
Please note that these factual attributes differ from subjective attributes, which are based on customer reviews, like whether a restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.
Here’s how to add factual attributes to your business:
- Access Your Profile: Go to the “Your business on Google” menu and select “Edit profile.”
- Navigate to Attributes: On the “Business information” page, select “More” from the top row of tabs.
- Add Relevant Attributes: You can add various attributes, such as services offered, payment methods, and amenities.
- Save Changes: Click on any field to edit it and hit “Save” to confirm your changes.
Regularly update your profile to ensure attributes remain accurate. This prevents showing up for irrelevant searches or misleading potential customers. For a web development company, attributes might include “24/7 support,” “custom web design,” and “SEO services.”
By keeping your factual attributes up-to-date, you make your business more discoverable and relevant to searchers. In the example below, you will also see an example for ‘business to business’ service.
5. Update Posts with Keywords
Posting engaging content and maintaining regular updates can significantly boost a business’s local search presence. These actions keep the profile fresh and engage potential customers efficiently. You can do this through clicking “Add Update” feature on your profile.
Creating Compelling Posts With Keywords
Using relevant keywords in Google My Business posts can improve visibility. Posts should include specific keywords related to services, products, and location. These keywords help search engines understand the business context better.
A mix of text, images, and videos makes the posts more engaging. Calls to action (CTAs), such as “Learn More” or “Visit Us Now,” encourage user interaction. This increases click-through rates and can drive more traffic to the website. Consistency in posting is key to maintaining user interest.
Periodic Updates for Relevance
Regular updates indicate that the business is active and engaged. Updating business hours, contact information, and special offers helps keep the listing current. This information should be accurate and reflect any recent changes.
Periodic updates can also include seasonal promotions or special events. Utilizing Google My Business’s update features ensures that the posts reach a broader audience.
Together, these strategies ensure that the business remains relevant and accessible to potential customers.
6. Monitor and Adjust Your Keywords in Google My Business
Monitoring the effectiveness of your keywords and making necessary adjustments is crucial for optimizing your Google My Business listing. Tools like GMB Insights offer valuable data, while periodic keyword adjustments can enhance engagement.
Using GMB Insights to Monitor Engagement
Google My Business Insights provides data on customer interactions. Locate this in the GMB dashboard. Key metrics include searches, views, and actions.
- Searches: Understand how often your business appears in search results.
- Views: Check how many times your listing appears in Maps and Search.
- Actions: Track customer clicks like website visits, direction requests, and calls.
Use this data to identify which keywords drive the most traffic and engagements. Prioritize those aligning with your business goals.
Adjusting Keywords Based on Performance Metrics
Keyword performance should be evaluated frequently. Use the insights gathered to adjust your keywords for better visibility.
- High-Performing Keywords: Reinforce these by integrating them into your business description and posts.
- Underperforming Keywords: Modify or replace these based on emerging trends and competitor analysis.
- New Keywords: Experiment with new keywords identified through customer queries and feedback.
Regularly updating your keywords ensures your listing stays relevant and competitive, responding to changes in customer behavior and search trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of local SEO for my businesses?
Having a strong seo strategy is crucial for local business success as it helps in improving search ranking, driving traffic to your website, and making your business more relevant to your business in organic search results.
How can I add keywords to Google My Business listing?
To optimize your google business profile, make sure to add keywords that are relevant to your business on business category, business description, products/services, business attributes and posts.
What are the benefits of adding keywords to GMB profile?
Adding keywords to your gmb profile can help drive traffic to your business organically and make sure that your profile is more relevant to your business, increasing your chances of showing up in google search results.
How can I optimize my Google My Business description for better results?
Make sure your google my business description contains keywords they are using when they search for a business like yours and keywords relevant to your business to help improve your profile’s visibility.
Why are search terms and search queries important for my business search ranking?
Understanding the search terms customers use when looking for a business like yours can help you rank and drive traffic to your business organically and tailor your content to be more specific to your business.
What are some ways to add keywords to my Google Business Profile?
Look for ways to add keywords in your business description, attributes to your profile, and encourage customers to add those keywords in google reviews to improve your profile’s visibility.
How can I optimize Google My Business profile with relevant keywords?
Integrate keywords naturally into your business description. Ensure that your business category is correctly set. Use keywords in services, attributes, and posts.
What is the process for editing my Google Business listing that containts keywords?
Access your Google My Business dashboard. Go to the info tab and find the business description section. Update it with new keywords relevant to your services and industry.
In what ways can I make my business more visible on Google using targeted keywords?
Create regular posts using targeted keywords. Add keywords to photos’ filenames before uploading them. Encourage customers to leave reviews that include natural keyword phrases.
What steps are involved in registering my business keywords with Google?
Log in to your Google My Business account. Navigate to the info section, then update your business description and services with specific keywords. Verify all changes to ensure they are saved.
How does adding keywords to my Google Ads campaign affect my business visibility?
Adding relevant keywords to your Google Ads campaign can boost ad visibility. This increases the chances of appearing in relevant searches, drawing more customers to your business.
Can I add keywords directly to Google Maps, and if so, how?
While you can’t add keywords directly to Google Maps, optimizing your Google My Business profile impacts Maps. Use keywords in your business name, description, and attributes to improve your listing’s appearance on Maps.
