Thread by @DarrenShaw_

People stuff keywords in all the wrong places 🤦

Here are 6 places where adding keywords can help your local rankings...

... and 5 places where it will not 🧵

h/t @keyserholiday for this glorious example

#localseo #seo

✅ Keywords in the following sections DO impact rankings:

1. GBP Business Name ™️

Though it's against the rules to use anything other than your official business name, Google rarely suspends businesses that do 🙄

This is the most powerful GBP section you can add keywords to.

To be safe from suspension, change your business name officially in the following places as well:

🔸 Government sources (register a "Doing Business As" name)
🔸 In your logo
🔸 On your website
🔸 In your signage
🔸 In all your citations (@whitespark can help you with this)

2. Google Reviews ⭐

@JoyanneHawkins disagrees, but I still believe that keywords in Google reviews impact rankings. (I'd like to see more research on this before concluding)

Plus, they trigger beautiful review justifications that make your business stand out in search.

3. Custom Services? 🔧

@JoyanneHawkins' research established that predefined services definitely impact rankings, but the impact of custom services is still being tested.

(Some soon-to-be-published research from @TheSocialDude looks promising)

4. GBP Landing Page 🌐

Specifically, you want your keywords in:
🔸 the title tag
🔸 headings
🔸 URL
🔸 and throughout the website content

5. Anchor text of inbound links to GBP landing page URL 🔗

Basically, when another website links to you, what are the words they use in the link to your page?

In the example below, this link helps Whitespark rank better for the term "local rank tracker"

6. Photos 📸

Did you know that Google can "see" keywords in your photos?

Before you upload a photo to your GBP, run it through Google's Vision-AI software to see if it identifies your ideal keywords.

In this example, you can see that a small change could make a big difference.

❌ Now, where do keywords NOT impact rankings?

1. GBP Description ✍️

Don't bother stuffing your description with keywords. Instead, focus on genuine, well-written, converting copy.

What is your brand about? What is your mission? Why should people do business with you?

2. Owner responses to reviews 💬

While keywords in reviews may impact rankings, owner responses definitely don't.

Just be nice and thank your customer for their feedback.

3. Keywords in Q&A 🧑‍💻

Keywords in both the questions and the answers don't impact rankings.

Ask and answer like a real person, not like an SEO robot.

4. Google Posts 📰

While Posts are great for conversions, it hasn't been proven that they do much for rankings...

... though I have heard multiple people claim that keywords in Posts help 🤔 More research is needed.

Have you seen Google Posts help rankings?

5. Products 🛒

Much like the previous points in this list, Products also trigger eye-catching justifications and can increase conversions.

However, keywords in Products do not impact your rankings.

Keyword-stuffed copy doesn't look good regardless of where you put it, but at least now you know where it can help your rankings, and where it won't 👍