What is Geo-Targeting?
TL;DR
Optimizing content and marketing for specific geographic areas. In Local SEO, this means targeting city names, neighborhoods, and "near me" searches. Tactics include Local Landing Pages, location-specific Meta Descriptions, and Local Keywords. For ads, geo-targeting means showing ads only to users in certain locations.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Geo-Targeting
What's the difference between geo-targeting for SEO vs. ads?
SEO geo-targeting means creating content optimized for local searches, using city names, neighborhood references, and local keywords throughout your site. Ad geo-targeting is simpler: you literally choose which zip codes or radius around your location will see your ads. Both matter for local businesses.
How do I geo-target 'near me' searches?
You can't stuff 'near me' into your content, it sounds unnatural. Instead, focus on clear location signals: your full address on every page, local schema markup, a properly optimized Google Business Profile, and location-specific content. Google connects the dots for 'near me' queries.
Should I target every city in my service area?
Start with your primary service areas where you want the most business. Create dedicated pages for each major city. For smaller surrounding areas, you can group them or mention them contextually. Prioritize based on potential revenue, not just geography.
Can I rank in a city where I don't have a physical location?
Yes, but it's harder. Service area businesses can rank without a storefront by having excellent content, reviews mentioning that city, local links, and a history of serving customers there. You're competing against businesses physically located there, so your other signals need to be strong.
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