Local SEO: Local pack rankings depend on proximity, relevance, and prominence, in that order

Local SEO has a different hierarchy than organic SEO. For Google Maps (the local pack), the three main ranking factors are proximity to the searcher, relevance to the search query, and your business's overall prominence. You can't control proximity, but you have full control over relevance and prominence. Relevance comes from how completely and accurately your Google Business Profile describes what you do, and how well your website content matches local search intent. Prominence comes from the quantity and recency of reviews, the consistency of your business details across directories, and the authority of websites that mention or link to your business. The most common local SEO mistake is treating your Google Business Profile as a one-time setup. It's an active asset. Regular posts, updated service descriptions, photos added monthly, and timely responses to reviews all signal to Google that the business is actively managed, which directly affects local pack rankings.