How To Achieve Geo-Relevance For a SAB?

[lakesideai]

New to GBP ranking, but have lots of SERP experience. One thing that's been a bit tricky is the concept of SAB and geo-relevance.

Without a localized public address, what are the ways in which Google gives geo relevance to the SAB GBPs? Any tips/tricks?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

Welcome to the world of GBP! Hang on to your hat

Ranking for SAB's is basically the same as a brick and mortar at the moment. Google uses the address/city that you use to verify the listing, even after you have cleared the address. Does the Service Area in Google My Business Impact Ranking? - Sterling Sky Inc

 

[lakesideai]

Welcome to the world of GBP! Hang on to your hat

Ranking for SAB's is basically the same as a brick and mortar at the moment. Google uses the address/city that you use to verify the listing, even after you have cleared the address. Does the Service Area in Google My Business Impact Ranking? - Sterling Sky Inc

Thanks! That's unfortunate to hear and doesn't really make much sense does it?

What if a plumber lived 15 minutes away from his main SAB?

 

[lakesideai]

Update... just tested this with some clients GBPs and Local Falcon and you're 100% correct. WHAT THE HECK! How does that make any sense?

Follow up question: How can one remedy this situation and achieve geo-relevance in the correct service area when the verification address was 15-20 miles away?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

One option is to get a business location that is closer to the target market. That would be the most effective tactic.

This article has some additional tips - How to Win at Local Search with Service Area Businesses - Sterling Sky Inc

 

[lakesideai]

One option is to get a business location that is closer to the target market. That would be the most effective tactic.

This article has some additional tips - How to Win at Local Search with Service Area Businesses - Sterling Sky Inc

Is it possible to change the address for the pre-existing GBP, thus moving the "address juice" closer to the actual SAB or is it "stuck" at the original address given/verified?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

It's possible, but the address needs to be the official business address. So you would need to make sure all of your business documentation is for that address.

There are also some bugs with SAB's right now so I wouldn't make any core edits until those bugs are behind us.

 

[lakesideai]

It's possible, but the address needs to be the official business address. So you would need to make sure all of your business documentation is for that address.

There are also some bugs with SAB's right now so I wouldn't make any core edits until those bugs are behind us.

Thanks for this info, I really appreciate it!

Is the worry regarding official business addresses in case of a suspension (thus needing official documentation)?

I guess what I was asking was barring a suspension, if the address was changed to be closer to the SAB listed would all the "rank juice" move over to the new address?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

That's certainly one of the reasons. If the listing ever became suspended you would need to provide documentation stating that the business is officially registered and licensed and all that stuff at that address.

 

[lakesideai]

That's certainly one of the reasons. If the listing ever became suspended you would need to provide documentation stating that the business is officially registered and licensed and all that stuff at that address.

Yeah makes sense.

So let's say the verification address stays the same (20 miles away), is it still possible to give other geo signals to the area 20 miles away and realistically rank there?

 

[Dennis]

It's possible, but the address needs to be the official business address. So you would need to make sure all of your business documentation is for that address.

There are also some bugs with SAB's right now so I wouldn't make any core edits until those bugs are behind us.

How does one know when the bugs are behind us and you can start editing GBPs more freely? Just keep an eye out on this forum or something?

 

[Colan Nielsen]

As far as the SAB bug goes I imagine it will be fixed in the next week or 2.