A Guide to Google Local Pack: Improve Your Local Ranking on Google Today!

If your business is not showing up in the Google Local Pack, you are most likely not visible to a huge number of potential customers.

Think about this: When someone types “best bakery near me” or “dentist in Salt Lake” into Google, what do they see first?

They see a small map and three business listings with business information, customer reviews, and contact details.

If your Google Business Profile is not a part of the three business listings, then your potential customers will first reach out to your other local competitors.

This is the Google Local Pack, and it’s currently the most valuable feature on Google for local businesses.

In this blog, we will explain what the Google Local Pack is, why it matters to your business, and what you can do to improve your chances of being featured in the local 3-pack. We will also share clear, actionable tips with proven results from businesses we’ve helped as a leading local SEO company in Kolkata.

What Is the Google Local Pack?

When you search for a service like “plumber near me” or “gynecologist in New Town,” Google shows a map and three business listings right at the top. That box of information is known as the Google Local Pack, Google Map Pack, Google 3-pack, or the Snack Pack.

Each listing includes:

• Business name
• Star rating and number of Google reviews
• Business Address
• Open hours
• Direction and call buttons
• Website link

These business listings are top-ranking Google My Business Profiles, and if your business manages to be one of them, then you can get clicks from people who are most likely already ready to take action.

Recommended: How Does Google Business Profile Work for Local Businesses?

Why Does Ranking in the Google Map Pack Matter So Much?

Showing up in the Local Map Pack directly impacts your business. It matters because:

1. It’s the First Thing Customers See

Most likely, your customers will visit your local business listing before your website. If you are not listed there, your potential customer might never scroll down local listings and discover your business.

2. Appearing at Top of Local Searches Converts Fast

Google says that 76% of people who search for products or services online nearby visit the business within the same day. 28% make a purchase. Your business's local ranking factor directly affects the number of conversions.

3. Most Searches Happen on Mobile

With over 84% of local searches coming from smartphones, the Google Local Pack puts your business in front of customers, where they're just one tap away from making a call, sending a message, or visiting your business.

4. You Build More Credibility for Your Brand

When a customer searches for a brand on Google, they try to search for the one with the most positive reviews, has high-quality images, and most importantly, whether they are within the top three local business listings featured in the Google Map Pack. 

5. Provides Local Customers With a Good User Experience

Being featured on Google's local pack helps users to easily find your business information without being redirected to another page. This includes information like business hours, star rating by customers, and the price range.

A Real Example from a Local Business in Kolkata

A dental clinic in Salt Lake approached our local SEO expert in Kolkata at FavFly because they were confused about why their GMB profile had low engagement. They had great reviews, an amazing website, and an active staff, but they barely received any calls from customers.

Within 3 weeks of optimizing their Google Business Profile, tweaking categories, adding local keywords, and building local citations, they ranked in the top 3 for “dentist in Salt Lake”.

📈 Results?

• 174% increase in calls
• 5X boost in direction requests
• 2X more footfall during walk-in hours

That’s the power of Local SEO + Google Local Pack visibility!

How Does Google Identify Local Search From Users?

Google identifies whether a user is searching with local intent in the following ways:

• The search query includes the name of the location, such as "New Town" or "Park Street".
• The query includes "near me". For example, "dentist near me" or "clothes shop near me".
• The user types a query without specifying further details. This may be a query like "gynecologist". This would mean that it is a local query looking for a gynecologist near them.  

What Makes Google Local Pack Different from Organic Local SERPs?

The most important difference between the two is that the algorithms for Google Local Pack and organic local SERP listings are different. If you want to be featured in the local pack, then you will need to understand local pack SEO. The top digital marketing company in Kolkata has helped many local businesses to get featured in the map pack. You can rank high and get featured as the top three local business listings with the best local pack SEO strategies.

Another difference is that the local 3-pack provides a direct call to action to customers. This includes an option to make a phone call or visit your business's website. It also provides users with the basic information related to your business, such as the business hours and the location.

What Influences Your Ranking Factor in Google Local Pack?

If you want to rank in the Local Pack, take note of the three key factors that Google uses to rank your business in local results:

1. Relevance

Is your business profile aligned with search queries related to your business? If someone types “child specialist in Behala”, but your profile only mentions “doctor,” you’ll end up missing a lot of user traffic.

2. Proximity

Google search engine results will first analyze how close your business is to the searcher’s location. That’s why your business's address and map pin need to be accurate.

3. Prominence

How well-known and trusted is your business online? This is measured based on your customer reviews, backlinks, local citations, and how active your profile is.

Read Also: How to Show My Business in Google Maps or Google Business Profile

How to Improve Your Local Ranking on Google Map Pack: Step-by-Step

The following steps are what you need to do to show up in the Local Map Pack: 

1. Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile

Start at google.com/business. Claim your Google My Business listing and complete the verification process. You can opt for different verification methods and choose the most convenient one.

Tip: Use your real business name. Don’t try to stuff keywords like “Best Skin Clinic in Kolkata” within the business name — this can backfire and lead to a suspension.

2. Complete Every Section in Your Business Profile

Include:

• Business category and secondary categories
• Opening hours (including holidays)
• Phone number
• Business description (with local keywords)
• Photos of your store/clinic/team
• Services and FAQs

Google rewards business profiles that are complete by ranking them higher in organic search results.

3. Ask Customers To Leave a Review and Respond to Them Regularly

Ask your happy customers to leave a review on your GBP, especially after they use a product or service.

Always respond to them, even if it's negative feedback. Professional replies show that you care about your customers, and it helps to improve your credibility.

Remember: A doctor with 50 reviews and a 4.6 rating is more trusted online than one with zero reviews.

4. Add Local Keywords to Your Profile Description

Don’t stuff your profile description with keywords. Instead, accurately describe your services. For example:

“We’re a physiotherapy clinic in New Town, offering pain relief treatments, posture correction, and home care visits.”

This will help you to rank for “physiotherapist in New Town” and related terms.

5. Post Weekly Updates to Your Profile

Just like Facebook, your Google Business Profile has a section for posts.

Use it to share information about:

• The latest offers
• Updates on your clinic or shop
• Festive deals
• Photos of your workspace or team

Fresh content signals to Google that your profile is active and helps you to improve your local search rankings.

6. Build Local Citations on Trusted Directories

Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across different platforms such as:

• JustDial
• Sulekha
• Practo
• Urban Company
• IndiaMart

This builds your business to build more credibility and helps Google understand that your local business is legitimate.

7. Embed Google Maps on Your Website

This small step helps you connect your Google Business Profile to your website.

Go to your GMB map listing → click “Share” → select “Embed a map” → paste the code on your contact page.

8. Use Google Messaging Feature

You can enable the messaging feature on your profile to allow customers to message you directly.

Make sure someone on your team monitors the messages you receive on your profile. Fast replies help you to build more trust with potential customers.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Local Visibility and Google Map Pack Rankings

The following are some of the most common mistakes made by local businesses. Make sure to avoid these common mistakes:

• Using fake addresses or listing multiple locations
• Stuffing keywords into your business name
• Ignoring reviews (especially negative ones)
• Inconsistent NAP details across platforms
• Not updating the business hours in your profile during holidays

Google rewards trust and punishes manipulation. Play the long game.

Want to Rank Higher in the Local Pack?

As a top-rated local SEO company in Kolkata, we’ve helped hundreds of local businesses — clinics, salons, cafes, home services, and retailers — to be featured in the Google Local Pack and find more customers.

We don’t just optimize business profiles. We monitor performance, build brand reputation, and make changes based on what Google’s algorithm prefers.

Whether you are a new clinic in Rajarhat or a well-known caterer in Behala, our SEO services in Kolkata are designed to help you expand your local footprint on the internet and get more calls, visits, and bookings from customers.

Read More: Why Local SEO is Important for Your Business Success

Final Thoughts: Your Next Customer Is Already Searching For Your Business

Local search visibility isn’t just a “nice-to-have” addition to your business; it’s non-negotiable.

When someone searches for a service or a product on Google, they are not looking for the best website. They are usually looking for the most trusted and nearest business.

The Google Local Pack places you in the spotlight.

So, if you're serious about finding more local customers, now’s the time to improve your Google local pack rankings through your Google Business Profile and show up where it matters.