How To Rank With A “Near Me” Local SEO Search Optimization Strategy

A large percentage of people who are looking for a local business service or product will also include the words “near me” in their Google searches. This common search habit shows how important it is for businesses to optimize specifically to show up in these ‘near me’ searches.

Just to be clear, examples would be when people explicitly use the search terms of “plumber near me”, or dentist near me” instead of just “plumber”, or “dentist”.

“Near me” searches have risen dramatically over the past decade, and seem to have flattened off the past few years, but its clear that this search behavior is here to stay and is worth optimizing for as it converts very well to sales.

Near Me Search Examples

Depending on the business category, near me searches can range from anywhere from a few percent all the way up to almost 50% of the impressions that the website receives.

It’s important to recognize that the influence of “near me” extends beyond simply adding it to your primary keywords. As shown in the screenshot below, this modification applies to all types of queries, including long-tail ones. This broad reach underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to incorporating “near me” into your local SEO strategy to ensure you capture the full spectrum of potential customers.

Notice, also the inclusion of the word “nearby” in the last line on the image. This is important to note that although most people will use the exact words of “near me”, there are also other variations that are being used as well.

How Google Understand “Near me” Searches

So, how does a near me search work?

Contrary to popular belief, just because a searcher adds ‘near me’ to a search query, doesn’t mean Google will automatically understand what they want in the way a real person understands. That is, yes, the algorithm in most cases will understand the proximity aspect, but it also uses the regular keywords like any other search to determine rankings.

Google search results are still based on a ranking algorithm that takes into account the actual keywords of “near me”, as well as proximity.

The assumption is that adding ‘near me’ will get Google to display businesses that are only close by. The fact is that the algorithm also takes into account the actual words of ‘near me’ to help choose the results. They are treated just like any other keyword. Since ‘near me’ is treated in some extent like any other keyword phrase, That means that optimizing a page or website for ‘near me’ queries is 100% possible.

How To Optimize for Near Me Searches

So, how do we rank for “near me” searches?

Ranking for local seo “near me” search terms is actually quite simple. Optimizing a page for “near me” means that we just need to treat it like any other keyword phrase.

Regular optimization strategies apply for example; adding the words ‘near me’ to the title tag of a page, and inside the content will help that page rank better for ‘near me’ searches.

In addition, you will want to include the variations like “nearby”, “close”, “close by”, “closest” which will also help.

Some example sentences you can add to your pages are:

• If you have ever asked yourself “who is the best local seo near me?”, then you have found the right company.
• We are a local seo office located close by to the Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto
• We are local seo company located nearby the Toronto Harbour front
• We are the closest local seo agency located near the CN Tower

You get the point… Just switch out and add the appropriate service and landmark, well known street corners or highways.

Near Me Optimization is Not Difficult

As you can see, improving ranking for local seo near me search terms does not involve lots of fancy strategies. Basic on page optimization can definitely help. If you want to do a bit more, then adding some internal backlinks with “near me” anchor text (and close variations) can further boost the optimization for “near me” searches.

The statistics speak for themselves, optimization for ‘near me’ local seo searches is not to be ignored in today’s competitive digital landscape. At Surf Sigma, we specialize in creating tailored strategies that make your business not just visible but prominent in ‘near me’ searches. Contact us today for your free custom local seo evaluation, and let’s take your business to new heights in the ‘near me’ era.