Organic Search vs. Local Search

What’s the Difference Between Organic & Local Search?

As a business owner, landing your company on the first page of Google might be the difference between five leads a month, and 25. But how does Google decide who earns the right to be displayed on their coveted first page of search results? Or more importantly, how do you let Google know that your site deserves to be displayed on the first page? Keep reading to learn the difference between organic searches and local searches and how Google decides what to display.

Organic Search Results vs. Local Search Results—What’s the Difference?

Whether you know it or not, almost every time you enter a Google search query you are most likely using an organic search query or a local search query—and the results shown to you by Google will vary (depending on your keywords). The difference between an organic search and a local search is simple. Let’s take a look at organic and local searches and the difference between them.

Organic Search

What is organic search? It’s easiest to show you. For example, in the search below, our search term (keyword) is “restoration contractors” and the organic search results can be found below the paid results.

Google uses its spiders to “crawl” your website and index the webpages of your site. Then, when it thinks one of your pages should be displayed to a user based on their search query, Google displays your corresponding webpage.

But what happens if you’re a smaller restoration contractor in Baltimore, Maryland? A user simply searching for a restoration contractor may never see your website—or any of its pages. But, if you’re a restoration contractor in Baltimore, Maryland, local search results may be your business’s best friend.

Local Search

Organic search queries and local search queries have one main difference associated with them—a location! Users often include a general, or sometimes a specific, location in their Google searches in order to find what they are searching for in an area around them. Take a look at the difference in search queries and search results for the local search, “restoration contractor in Baltimore, MD.”

At first look, there are two major differences between the local search results above and the organic search results we previously looked at.

Notice the map in the upper right corner of our local search query? Since this user searched for a restoration contractor in Baltimore, MD, Google assumes this person needs restoration services for their home or business in the Baltimore area. The Google Map included in the results provides a visual of where some restoration contractors are located throughout the Baltimore and surrounding areas.

Secondly, Google provided a “7-pack.” A 7-pack is a list of seven results Google thinks are the best results for you. In the search above, the beginning of the 7-pack can be seen, starting with “SI Restoration” (A), and continues below the fold “Restoration & Construction Services…” (D). Included in the 7-pack are each company’s name, address, phone number, and a link to either Google reviews or the company’s Google+ page, making the steps to contact each restoration company as easy as 1-2-3. Maximizing your company’s online real estate can also be as simple as 1-2-3!

4 Tips to Improve Local Search Results

At Blue Corona, we like to maximize our company’s online real estate—and your company should too! Maximizing your company’s online presence means increasing the visibility of your company on the Internet to potential customers. Take a look at four quick steps to help maximize your company’s online real estate and improve local search results:

1. NAP – Name, address, and phone number. It is important to keep consistent NAP across all online platforms to improve branding and decrease customer confusion.
2. Online Directories – With the recent Google Pigeon update, Google placed extra significance in local search results, making online directories like Yelp more important.
3. Reviews – Ask your customers to leave an online review on Google+, Angie’s List, or another online platform you use. Not only does this look good for your business, but it builds trust with other potential customers.
4. Social Media – Engage with both potential customers and returning customers on social media to improve customer service and share cool updates about your company. This also adds to your online real estate!

Following the tips above is the first step towards improving your company’s local search results, and, ultimately, earning a spot on Google’s first page of results. If you still have questions about the difference between local search and organic search, Blue Corona can help. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page and receive your FREE SEO analysis!

Why Choose Blue Corona?

Blue Corona is an online marketing company dedicated to growing your business. We will:

• Make data-driven decisions to measure how your online marketing strategies measure up
• Maximize your company’s online real estate
• Increase the amount of qualified leads and sales for your company
• And more!

Contact Blue Corona today for your consultation.