Source: https://moz.com/blog/9-most-common-local-seo-myths-dispelled
There are numerous local SEO myths that many believe are true but they are in fact, completely false. Here are some of the top myths in local SEO.
Local SEO myths
1. Deleting your listing in Google My Business means deleting your listing from Google. Removing a listing from Google My Business makes it unverified, but it will still exist on Google Maps. It may still rank provided categories and detailed have not been deleted.
2. Professional/practitioner listings on Google can be removed and are considered as duplicates. Google creates listings for actual public-facing professionals. These listings can be removed if the professional is not public-facing and business only has one public-facing individual.
3. Maps SEO can be done separately from organic SEO. Maps optimization cannot be separated from organic SEO. They are directly connected.
4. Posting on G+ improves rankings. Google doesn’t include a link to Google+ pages anymore.
5. Having a wide service area means ranking in all kinds of additional towns. Setting a bigger radius for business coverage does not mean you’ll rank on these towns as well. You will most likely rank on the town where your business is located.
6. Google displays whatever is listed in your GMB dashboard. Google updates listing by getting information from the business’ website and not only the GMB dashboard. These information are then placed on listings and maps.
7. You have to mark your listing for the old location as closed when your business relocates. There is no need to do this. All you need to do is edit the address inside your dashboard when you move.
8. Not claiming your page means your business won’t rank anywhere. This is not true. Unverified businesses can outrank verified ones.
9. Google employees are the highest authority on which ranking signals you should pay attention to.
Recent examples of advice given from Google employees that should be ignored:
- Duplicate listings will fix themselves over time.
- Posting on Google+ will help your ranking (advice given from phone support reps).
- If you want to rank well in the 3-pack, just alter your business description.
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