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Local SEO, explained simply
Short, plain-English explanations of the words you'll hear about local SEO and AI search. Each page starts with a one-line definition, gives an everyday example a small business owner will recognize, and links to the Biz on Maps feature that helps with it, so you can go from understanding a term to acting on it.
- LearnWhat is local SEO?Local SEO is the work you do to show up when nearby customers search for what you sell, like "plumber near me". It covers your Google Business Profile, reviews, map rankings and online mentions of your name, address and phone number.
- LearnWhat is a Google Business Profile?A Google Business Profile is the free listing that shows your business on Google Search and Maps, including your hours, photos and reviews. It's the main thing people see before they call, visit or message you, so keeping it accurate matters a lot.
- LearnWhat is a rank grid?A rank grid is a map covered in points, each one showing where your business ranks on Google Maps for a chosen search, like "bakery". It reveals that your ranking changes depending on where the customer is standing, something a single search can never show you.
- LearnWhat is generative engine optimization (GEO)?Generative engine optimization, or GEO, is the practice of making your business more likely to be mentioned when people ask AI tools for recommendations. Instead of ranking on a search results page, you're aiming to be the name an AI assistant suggests in its answer.
- LearnWhat is answer engine optimization (AEO)?Answer engine optimization, or AEO, means shaping your online information so AI tools can confidently use it to answer a direct question, like "who's the best florist near me?". It's about being the answer, not just a link on a results page.
- LearnWhat is the local pack?The local pack is the small group of businesses Google shows at the top of search results with a map, usually for searches like "coffee shop near me". It's one of the most valuable spots in local search, since it's often the first thing a customer sees.
- LearnWhat is NAP consistency?NAP consistency means your business Name, Address and Phone number look exactly the same everywhere they appear online, from your website to your Google Business Profile to directory listings. When the details don't match, it can confuse both customers and search engines.
- LearnWhat is AI search visibility?AI search visibility is whether AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Grok actually mention or recommend your business when someone asks a relevant question. It sits alongside normal Google visibility as a newer way customers discover local businesses.
- LearnWhat are Google Posts?Google Posts are short updates, a bit like a social media post, that you can publish directly to your Google Business Profile. They can include a photo, a short message and sometimes a button, and they show up to people viewing your profile.
- LearnWhat is a brand page?A brand page is a simple page for your business that lives at an address like bizonmaps.com/your-business-name. It can show your catalog, let customers message you on WhatsApp, take bookings, and even chat with an AI assistant, without you needing to build a website.