Google Maps ranking
Why you do or do not show in the map pack, and what moves it.
Do city pages on my website help me rank in nearby towns?A city page can help you appear in regular search results for that town, but it does not move you up in Google Maps.Do directory listings and citations still matter for Google Maps in Canada?Yes, but mainly to keep your business details correct, not as a ranking trick.Does my website affect my Google Maps ranking?Yes, but mostly indirectly.How do I check where my business ranks on Google Maps?Search your service and town on Google Maps in a private browser window, then note your position in the list.How do I get into the Google Maps top 3?Improve the three things Google uses to rank local results: relevance, distance and prominence.How do I rank a cottage country business when customers search from Toronto?Make your Google Business Profile match what Toronto searchers type, and show Google where you really work.How do I rank on Google Maps in a town where I have no office?Google Maps ranks by relevance, distance, and prominence, and with no office you lose on distance.How do I track phone calls that come from Google Maps?Open your verified Business Profile, click Performance, and read the Calls figure.How long does it take to rank on Google Maps?Google does not publish a timeline, so nobody can honestly give you a number of weeks.Is HomeStars worth it for Ontario contractors?Yes, a HomeStars profile is worth having for most Ontario contractors, mainly because AI tools cite it.What decides Google Maps ranking?Google Maps ranking is decided mainly by three factors: relevance, distance, and prominence.Which directories should an Ontario business be listed on?Start with your Google Business Profile, because it is the listing every other directory is measured against.Why did my Google Maps ranking drop suddenly?Your Google Maps ranking usually drops because of a change in who is searching, a change to your profile, or a competitor gaining ground.Why does my competitor rank above me on Google Maps with fewer reviews?Your competitor ranks above you because Google weighs relevance, distance, and prominence, and review count is only part of prominence.Why does my Google Maps ranking change depending on where I search from?Your ranking changes because Google shows the businesses closest to the person searching, not one fixed list.Why is my business not showing on Google Maps?Your business is usually missing from Google Maps for one of four reasons: the profile is not verified, it was suspended for breaking Google's rules, the address or category is wrong, or competitors are more relevant, closer or better known.