Local pack
A map with typically three local business listings shown for queries with local intent, drawn from Google Business Profile data rather…
LocalImplicit local intent
Near me search
Queries with local intent, whether stated explicitly with 'near me' or inferred from the query and the searcher's location.
In full
Google infers local intent for many queries without any geographic wording — 'emergency plumber' or 'sushi' are treated as local by default. This means most local visibility work is not about targeting the literal phrase 'near me', which is generally a wasted optimisation, but about being eligible and prominent for the underlying service query in the relevant area. Device location and previously stated locations both influence which results appear.
Example
A search for 'tyre fitting' with no location terms returns a map pack based entirely on the phone's GPS position.
Related terms
Proximity
The physical distance between the searcher and a business, one of the three factors Google names for local ranking and often the most…
Search intent
The underlying goal behind a query — typically classified as informational, navigational, commercial investigation or transactional.
Local SEO
Optimising a business's visibility for geographically constrained searches, across both the map pack and localised organic results.
Google Business Profile
The free business listing that powers a company's presence in Google Maps, the local pack and business panels, renamed from Google My…