Google doesn’t know their own ranking factors

and more local SEO revelations

August 25, 2025

Hello hello,

All things local SEO 👇️

1. Google doesn’t know their own ranking factors 🙄

Google says Service Areas impact local rankings (but they don’t).

From Google’s perspective, the service areas section is only meant to let potential customers know where you’re willing to travel to provide services.

But check out the screenshot from the latest Google Small Business Bulletin. I find it curious that they say: "This tells Google exactly where you operate, boosting your visibility in relevant local searches and ensuring you connect with customers who are truly in your service range."

However, all the testing so far shows that setting service areas does NOT actually “boost your visibility”.

Probably just a case of Google's content team not understanding the functionality?

See the discussion on Facebook.

2. We launched Local Ranking Grids 🔥

You've never seen a Local Ranking Grid tool like this before!

Other than the fact that it’s gorgeous and super intuitive, it has some other cool functionalities that other tools don’t have:

  • side-by-side competitive grid comparison and analysis

  • other tools only track to 20 ranking positions. We track each point to 100.

  • the ability to turn off the grid points you don’t need

  • spam fighting features: suggest an edit to or report a competitor’s GBP right from the tool

Oh, and it also an awesome export to PNG feature. Until September 1, if you share one of these PNGs on Reddit, Facebook Groups, or social media and send us a link to the post, we’ll add 150 credits to your account for free!

3. The most converting Google Posts

This business is leveraging video testimonials from their customers and uploading them to their Google Business Profile as Posts. Such a smart move.

Potential customers viewing your Profile are in a transactional mindset, so adding Posts that can further convince them why your business is the right choice can be the reason they choose your business and not your competitors.

Businesses will add video testimonials to their website, and then maybe post them on their social media, but they usually forget to post them on their Google Business Profile. Missed opportunity!

I think that the Google Business Profile is the #1 most valuable place you can put a video testimonial. This is your first touch with hundreds/thousands of new potential prospects on the internet. Many of them won’t even go to your website, and pretty much none of them will see your social media feeds.

See this post on LinkedIn.

4. And something to start your Monday with a laugh

Now that I think about it, maybe don’t ask EVERY customer for a review 😄

See this post on Instagram.

Darren

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