How to rank in the Austin Google Maps pack: a 12-step checklist

How Google ranks local results. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence. Relevance is how well your profile matches the search. Distance is how far you are from the searcher. Prominence is how well known you are, which Google says reflects things like links to your business and your reviews. You cannot pay for a higher position.

The 12 steps

1. Claim and verify your profile

Search for your business on Google and Google Maps. If a profile exists, claim it. If not, create one. Verify it, because an unverified profile limits what you can do.

2. Use your real-world business name

Google says your name should reflect your business as used consistently on your storefront, website and stationery. Adding keywords or extra information to the name is not permitted and can lead to suspension.

3. Set your address or service area correctly

Use a precise address if customers visit you. Google does not accept P.O. boxes, mailboxes at remote locations or virtual offices. If you travel to customers, hide the address and list service areas by city or ZIP code instead. See our service-area guide.

4. Choose the fewest categories that describe your core business

Pick the primary category that matches your most valuable service, and add secondary categories only where they are true.

5. Fill in services, attributes and hours

List every service with a plain description. Add attributes that apply, regular hours, and special hours for holidays and events. Austin festival weekends, such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, are a good reminder to check.

6. Add real photos

Show your location, team and finished work, and add new photos every month. Photos make a profile look active and trusted.

7. Earn real reviews

Ask customers soon after a real job, with a direct link. Never offer a reward, and never ask only the happy ones: Google prohibits both. Read our reviews guide.

8. Reply to every review

Short, specific and calm. A good reply to a negative review often matters more than the review.

9. Make your website match your profile

Use the same name, address or service area, phone number and services. Add a page for each core service, and an area page only where you really have jobs and reviews to show.

10. Keep your listings consistent

Check your details on the directories people use in Austin and fix any that are wrong or outdated. Inconsistent facts confuse both Google and AI assistants.

11. Earn local mentions and links

Because prominence reflects how well known you are, genuine local coverage, sponsorships, partner links and community mentions help. Buying links does not.

12. Measure, and check from different places

Track calls, direction requests and website clicks from your profile. Then check how you appear from different parts of Austin. A search in Hyde Park and the same search in Round Rock can show different businesses, because distance matters.

What not to do

• Fake, bought or staff-written reviews
• Keywords in the business name
• Duplicate profiles for the same business
• A virtual office or mailbox as your address
• Changing your name, address or category again and again

If you would like us to run this checklist on your business, ask for a free audit.