GMB Ranking Factors and How to Influence Local Rankings
Local SEO is More Competitive Than Ever, Learn What it Takes to Rank in the 3 Pack

Hey there, it’s Chaz here, ready to discuss the top ranking factors for GMB SEO and what exactly you can do to influence as many of those factors as possible.
Ranking in the 3 Pack oftentimes requires more than completely filling-out a GMB Listing and we will be exploring these additional factors in detail.
With Google reducing the radius that local businesses can be found, and with cities showing multiple packs based on searcher proximity, every effort should be made to understand the top local maps ranking factors and which factors we can influence directly through local search optimization.
Understanding What Keyword Variations Pull a Snack Pack
Before beginning any optimization efforts it is important to start on an equal foundation, and for that, you need to understand there are 4 main Local Keyword Variations you can optimize for.
- Keyword (based on search proximity)
- Keyword + Location
- Keyword + City + State Abbreviation
- Location + Keyword
I recommend that you attempt to optimize for all four variations in order to gain as much exposure and visibility as possible, and that is the approach we take in our own GMB optimization campaigns.
Distance, Relevance and Prominence
I am inclined to believe Google when they updated their published Local Search Ranking Guide to specifically state that GMB Snack Pack Rankings are based on three elements: Distance, Relevance, and Prominence. Our own tests, as well as those done by others all, tend to support these 3 factors are the components of the local search algorithm.
Influencing the Local SERPs
Whether if you choose to outsource the GMB optimization process to a white label company like Web 2.0 Ranker or to do all of the tasks for yourself, you should also incorporate elements such as:
Organic SEO: Remember businesses with higher ranking websites also tend to significantly rank higher in the Snack Pack, so it is imperative that you use a holistic strategy. Optimize your GMB listing but also rank your website.
Local Review Funnels: Use a service like Get 5 Stars or Birds Eye to offer online review management and review gathering. Remember, businesses with more real reviews more frequently tend to rank higher.
Local review funnels also make for a great up-sale or value add-on service for your clients. It is easy to show the value of filtering negative reviews while encouraging positive online reviews for their business. Simply do a Google search and ask them would they call a 1 star dentist or a 4.9 star dentist to fix their children’s teeth?
Linkbuilding – Niche and Location Specific: It makes sense that link building remains a top GMB ranking factor when you also consider that quality link building will also help rank your website organically. Google sees each link as a vote of confidence for your website and therefore for your brand.
And if you decide to outsource your link building, Web 2.0 has teamed up with Mark from LCT to offer a quality niche link building service called Niche Placements and with Brian Willie of Maps Liftoff to offer Geo-Local Links.
Social Profile and Brand Account Optimization: Each GMB optimization campaign should also include Social Account Set-Up and Optimization, Branded Web 2.0 Set-Up and Optimization and the Top Online Business Directory Set-Up and Optimization as well.
Not only are these complimentary tasks for any holistic SEO campaign, these important brand mentions are what builds a brand’s authority. These brand signals Google uses to evaluate the strength of a brand.
Our National Business Listing Service Allows You to Update Your Business listings on the top directories and Ensure a Consistent NAP Across the Top Directories
Additionally, we continue to offer complete social account building and optimization packages designed to allow a brand to easily claim and optimize the top 45 social profiles and brand accounts.
Remember the importance of building out and diversifying your local optimization efforts beyond Google to places like Yelp, Apple Maps and Facebook. Make sure you’re on Apple Maps, Yelp, BBB, TripAdvisor, Avvo, Angie’s List, etc, and that your profiles are claimed, optimized, and enhanced with as much information as possible. If the local pack results are crap, a lot of people will click on Yelp, YP, a Local Facebook Page or Angie’s List. You want to be where they are clicking.
Understanding the Possum Filter
The Possum Update was a major shake-up to local search, with many verified GMB listings simply disappearing from search results. The prime effects of Possum are most seen in the following 4 scenarios:
- Similar Businesses that Share the Same Address
- Similar Businesses that Share the Same Owner
- Similar Businesses that Share the Same Affiliation
- Similar Businesses that are Located Very Close to Each Other
Despite the Hawk Update softening the effect of the Possum filter, the filter still exists and it is still necessary to understand how to identify Possum and learn strategies to counter it.
How to Easily Check for the Possum Filter


