What is Local SEO and what is its use 2026

Suppose you have a cozy coffee shop in the middle of a busy street. Everything is neat, your coffee is amazing, your attitude is great. But there's a problem: no one knows you exist! This is where local SEO comes in. Local SEO means making sure that when someone types "coffee shop near me" into Google, your name comes up. Without advertising, without pushing, right in front of the person who is looking for you.

What exactly does local SEO mean?

Local SEO means optimizing your site for searches related to geographic location. For example, when someone searches for "good dentist in Karaj" or "carpenter in Tehran, Pars", Google wants to give them results that are really close and relevant. Local SEO helps you to be in those results. Both in Google Maps and in the main results.

Who is this local SEO good for?

Any business that is tied to a physical location or has customers in a specific area should think about local SEO.

•  Shops, supermarkets, stores
•  Clinics, medical or dental offices
•  Beauty salons, gyms
•  Coffee shops and restaurants
•  Technical jobs like plumbing Cashier, electrician, air conditioner installer
•  Schools, offices, consultants, etc.

If the customer has to come to you or you have to go to the customer, location is important to you, which means local SEO is much more important to you.

How does local SEO work?

Google checks several things to show which business is closest and most relevant to the user:

1. The user's geographic location (i.e. where is it?)
2. The address registered in Google Your site map
3. Local keywords on your site (e.g. «Women's Hair Salon in Isfahan»)
4. People's opinions and ratings
5. Online presence in other places (e.g. social networks, local sites)
6. Also the location of the server (your card is Iranian, use an Iranian server, don't buy an Elman server, otherwise the internet will have problems and you won't be able to access your site)

Google Maps: Your Store's Digital Showcase

One of the most important parts of local SEO is having a complete profile on Google Business Profile. This is what makes you visible on Google Maps, has contact information and business hours, customers can leave reviews and even see directions to your location. Of course, we are under sanctions and you should definitely put a missing place so that it can be registered with Google.

Why is local SEO better than advertising?

Suppose someone is typing "real estate consultant in Niavaran" right now. If your site comes up in the results, they are much more likely to call you than to see an advertising banner. Because they came after you, not because you tried to force yourself in front of them.

Back What do local links mean?

In local SEO, getting links from local sites is very valuable. For example, if a local news site or a city association links to you, Google knows that you are really present in that area. These are like public votes.

For example? Suppose you have a psychology clinic in Rasht. If a university site or a local health magazine mentions you and links to you, the impact is much greater than a foreign general site.

What is local anchor text?

Anchor text is the text that is linked to. If someone links to your site using the phrase «good dentist in Tabriz», Google knows what that page is about and where it is. So try to back up your links with anchor text‌ Are local businesses important in local SEO? Yes! If people are talking about you on Instagram, Telegram or Twitter, tagging your location or even posting photos of your location, these are all signs. Google is smart, it understands that you are doing real activity in that area. This makes it easier for you to be seen on the map and in the results. Google algorithms and local SEO Google has several algorithms designed specifically for local SEO: Pigeon algorithm, which accurately displays local results Show more and more real

• Possum that carefully checks the physical location
• Hawk that prevents duplicate or incorrect results

These algorithms look for sites that are actually active and reliable, not just full of keywords.

What makes you come up in local results?

1.  Accurately registering the address and contact number in Google  Maps and site (you can't count the street and the sign on them, of course, but I don't know if it affects local SEO yet)
2.  Using the name of the region or neighborhood in the titles and text of the pages
3.  Getting positive reviews from customers (Reviews)
4.  Being active on the network  Social networks and local communities
5.  Have backlinks from local sites

Tools that help you

1. Google Business Profile: Free business registration on Google Maps
2. Google Search Console: Check your site's search performance
3. BrightLocal: Local SEO and competitor analysis
4. Ahrefs/Moz: Check local backlinks

Local SEO means being seen by customers near you

Local SEO is not just an SEO technique, it is a necessity for real businesses in cities and neighborhoods. It can help you get seen, get customers and leave your competitors behind. Without heavy advertising costs, just a little ingenuity and attention to detail.