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Local SEO FAQ

Local SEO Questions, Answered Plainly

Short, direct answers for local business owners about Google Maps, reviews, rankings, and what to do yourself versus hand off. Every answer leads with the short version, then gives the reasoning behind it.
By Eric Walker · Last updated October 2026
Downtown Denver skyline at sunset with pink and orange clouds

How these answers are written

I run ReAlign Marketing in Denver and work on local search for service businesses every week. Each answer links to the source it relies on, such as Google’s own guidelines or a published study, so you can check it. Where something depends on your market, I say so instead of promising a result.

Browse by topic

Local SEO basics
Does it work, do you need it, how to measure it, and why a competitor is ahead.

Google Business Profile
Names, addresses, verification, access, posts, phone numbers, and moves.

Reviews
How many you need and what Google allows.

Hiring local SEO help
Choosing a company, judging its work, audits, and paying Google.

DIY local SEO
What to handle yourself.

Looking for a full walkthrough instead of a quick answer? The resources section has step-by-step guides on Google Business Profile, reviews, citations, and the local SEO checklist.

Want a second opinion on your own business?

Every business starts from a different place. If you would rather have someone look at your Google Business Profile, your website, and your competitors, I will tell you what is worth fixing first and what can wait.
See how I can help