Struggling to rank well in search platforms lately?
It could be due to the fact that the SEO strategies you’ve relied on for years is proving ineffective in an era where search engines are driven by generative AI. Remain competitive and improve your visibility in local search results with the help of innovative local SEO tactics utilizing this new tech, as listed out below.
Local SEO strategies That Could Make A Significant Difference
#1- AI-driven content optimization
Generative AI has revolutionized the way content is produced. While you still can’t use it to completely write the content for you, you can use it to automate some of the tasks in the content creation process to craft personalized, high-quality, and optimized content at scale.
– AI-powered keyword research
Whether you want to understand the search intent of a specific set of keywords, identify LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords for a primary keyword, or generate long-tail keywords from ‘seed keywords’, we recommend utilizing AI-powered tools to streamline some aspects of your keyword research in order to save time and strengthen accuracy.
– Content personalization using AI
Since the inception of large language artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT, crafting personalized content has become easier than ever. AI-powered tools can be used to develop content tailored to the user’s location, search behavior, and preferences. To stay relevant for users in specific regions, businesses can use these tools to generate personalized content recommendations for writers to write.
#2- Augmented Reality (AR) for local search
Augmented reality is a newer technology that’s becoming more mainstream these days. Rather than spend an unnecessary amount of time figuring out keywords themselves, local businesses can use this technology to offer their customers a more immersive experience and improve their search visibility for relevant keywords with location qualifiers.
– AR integration for in-person experience
With the help of this technological invention, small businesses can create virtual demos of their products for the benefit of their clients. Aside from product-focused content, AR can also be used to enable customers to take a virtual tour of the store from the convenience of their own homes. Whether you’re a realtor or coffee shop owner, the proper use of augmented reality can help you propel your business to new heights.
– AR in Google Maps
By leveraging Google Maps’ AR features, you’re essentially allowing it to be more convenient for customers to find your business on the internet. We highly recommend optimizing your business listing with this software to benefit your map pack results, significantly increase foot traffic to your store, and improve overall productivity.
#3- Interactive local content (Quizzes & Polls)
It’s common knowledge that interactive and engaging content like quizzes and polls help build trust with your local audience directly. This reliability can encourage repeat business, promote word-of-mouth referrals, and help develop a loyal customer base.
– Create interactive experiences
Interactive content like quizzes, polls, and surveys not only helps to address local pain points but it also aids in obtaining the required user data to formulate future marketing strategies. For instance, auto repair shops can set up polls with questions like, “How often should you change the oil if you don’t drive much?” in order to target certain clientele and services. When in doubt, the more specific you can be the better results you’ll get.
– Encourage shares
Data shows that interactive content crafted to address the community’s specific needs tends to gain more shares than traditional content. Therefore, we highly suggest that you create social media posts and blog articles that target what your customers are in need of. Once that’s done correctly, you can boost your business’ local reach as well as encourage new and returning clientele.
#4- Local video SEO
When it comes to the presence of Youtube, having over 238 million users in the United States means that this country has the second largest audience. With 9.7% of all viewership, YouTube outranked Netflix and dominated the TV viewership in the US. As Apple’s most treasured asset after Google Search, has brought significant transformation to the video streaming landscape.
– Target local YouTube search
This significant platform is what it is today by having videos that reach a wide audience that otherwise might not see or hear about your company, bringing in new people and encouraging consistent business. Uploading properly optimized video content to YouTube can significantly increase your business’ search visibility in a specific geographical area.
– Consider live-streaming
To build a deeper connection with the local audience, businesses can also utilize YouTube’s live-streaming feature. Live streaming of Q&A sessions and behind-the-scenes tours is an immensely effective way to engage with the local audience in real-time.
#5- Geo-Fencing and Geo-targeting
Unlike traditional location-based marketing, technologies used for geo-fencing and geo-targeting can send hyper-personalized messages, offers, and advertisements to people based on their real-time location. These location-based marketing tactics are exceptionally impactful at improving customer engagement and positively influencing search visibility.
– Leverage geo-targeting technology
This digital marketing tactic of leveraging geo-targeting technology allows advertisers to deliver promotional content to potential customers residing in a specific geographical location based on their behavioral data. This advertising approach can help local businesses reach the right audience and boost long term sales figures.
– Proximity marketing
Proximity marketing works by sending push notifications to individuals entering and/or leaving a defined geographical area, such as the vicinity of a store, office, or event venue. It relies on technologies like GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communications, QR codes, and geo-fencing. Since these features are already being used by phone users, we recommend setting-up a virtual fence around your business and start sending targeted ads to passersby.
#6- AI-powered local chatbots for instant support
Instead of spending an aimless amount of time dealing with the customer support process, you can utilize AI-powered chatbots and agents to streamline it. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of contributing positively to customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, retention rates, and improving your business’s online reputation.
– Implement AI-powered chatbots
With the integration of AI-powered chatbots into mainstream society, businesses can harness it to assist customers with many different things. By solving local queries, helping with directions, and assisting in booking services, these tools can help small enterprises build credibility without wasting time or efforts.
– Leverage AI-agents
Think of these agents as a more advanced form of AI-powered chatbots — trained on a specific set of data, this tool can offer a more personalized support for you and your clients. By improving the customer experience, it has the potential to bring more people into your business and encourage repeat customers.
#7- Crowdsourced local content
User-generated content has long been a crucial element in creating an authentic and trustworthy online presence. Since it will remain in the coming years, we suggest crowdsourcing local content as an SEO solution to boost your business’s online visibility.
– User-generated maps or reviews
Reviews, ratings, and photos left by customers on platforms like Google Business Profile and Yelp can greatly improve a business’ credibility in the eyes of search engines along with the general public. When in doubt, always share a Google Review link with your customers, encouraging them to share their feedback and rate your business.
– Crowdsource local data
Allocate a small section of your website to locals, enabling them to add information and upload photos/videos about nearby attractions, parking, and neighborhood events to your website. By making your business more integrated within the community, you’re guaranteeing an improved local rank.
#8- Neighborhood-specific landing pages
Utilizing neighborhood-specific landing pages is yet another effective way to improve your local SEO and connect with the customers in your area in the most convenient way possible. By crafting separate landing pages for different geographical areas where your business serves, you’re creating a more localized experience for potential customers.
– Neighborhood clusters
According to industry standards, we suggest creating pages on your website for each neighborhood — focusing on the unique needs, characteristics, and interests of inhabitants of that specific region. Don’t forget to include references to famous landmarks, attractions, and key points of interests of that locality!
– Location-specific offers
Having these location-specific pages enables you to offer promotions geared towards your neighborhood, which is a great way to uplift the local population and drive sales.
#9- Interactive maps and directions
The ability for customers to effortlessly find your business determines where search engines will place it within their SERPs. By improving customer satisfaction, you can also increase business transactions and, in turn, encourage more sales. Through interactive maps and contextual location services, you can make it easier for people to find your business.
– Custom interactive maps
Incorporating interactive maps into your website is one of the best ways for users to inspect whether or not they’ll choose your business. The key is that they should be able to interact with it, zoom in/out, and ask for step-by-step directions. It should enable the user to reach your business without having to leave the website or search on other map service providers, thus increasing the likelihood of them booking directly from there.
– Contextual location services
Adding Information like nearby parking lots, nearby bus stops, subway stations, train routes, shopping areas, and popular spots can push your local SEO to new heights.
#10- AI-driven review management
Experiences shared by previous customers can influence how positively or negatively your business will be perceived by search engines and prospective customers. AI-powered tools can be used to streamline the entire review management process, which can ultimately boost your online presence and help maintain your online reputation.
– Automate review follow-ups
Managing reviews on multiple platforms, including Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook, and other review-sharing platforms, has now become easier than ever. Send personalized follow-up messages to your customers using AI-powered review management tools to ask for their feedback!
In Conclusion
Local SEO is an ever-evolving field of updates and changes based on the technological advancements and software updates. Our professional advise is to experiment with different things and implement the one that works best in your present scenario. If you have any questions or difficulty deciding for yourself, reach out to our team at Outreach Local Marketing for qualified assistance and guidance.
