It is 2025, and digital transformation isn’t just a buzzword anymore; it has become a reality. Just a few years ago, many people were still hesitant about diving into technology. But thanks to the pandemic and those long lockdown months, digital adoption skyrocketed, bringing even the least tech-savvy people online. And with this shift, businesses of every size realised one thing: if you want to thrive in today’s connected world, your digital strategy needs to be sharper and more inclusive than ever.
That’s why modern digital marketing has become less about just well-optimised SEO and mobile-friendly websites and but more about building trust and visibility across the web. Nowadays, Google Reviews, Local Listings, SEO, and performance marketing all work together to support a business’s online presence.
Whether you’re a passionate marketer or a business owner trying to grow your brand, understanding how these elements come together is key. In this article, we’ll guide you through why Google Reviews and Local Listings are just as essential as your website, and how to weave them into a well-rounded digital strategy.
However, before understanding their importance, let’s first know what they are:
Google Reviews
Reviews on Google business listings are known as Google Reviews. These reviews can be accessed from Knowledge Panel, Map Pack, and Google Maps. On SERPs, Google shows 3 business listings for a search, which is known as the Map Pack. It provides a list of 7 businesses for location-based keywords, which is known as a knowledge pack.
It has been observed that appearing in the top-3 positions in Knowledge Panel, Map Pack, and Google Maps listings can significantly improve visits, phone calls, sign-ups, or any other desirable conversion.
Reviews are considered one of the pillars of your Google Business listing ranking. It is a ranking factor, and it also improves the credibility of the business.
Local Listings
Local listing is a collective approach that includes several platforms and techniques, performed with the aim of improving ranking for local and relevant keywords and attracting more target audience from the selected location(s).
It is also a part of Local SEO, which is a technique to improve a business’s ranking for location-based searches. It includes location targeting via content creation for location-based keywords and queries, local listing, GBP optimisation, and many more strategies.
Local listing includes:
- Creating and Optimising a Google Business Profile
- Business listing in local business directories.
- Target location-based keywords in content.
Components of the Local Listing
While the main components are Name, Address, Phone, and website (NAPW), normally these listings include the following details:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Website
- Business description
- Email address
- Business category
- Company photos
- Hours of operation
- Directions
- Videos
- Payment forms accepted
- Holiday hours
- Accessibility
- Customer reviews
- Links to social platforms
Local listing helps businesses to be found in the areas they are targeting, and it enables searchers or users to find more results more efficiently.
Why Google Reviews & Local Listings Matter for SEO?
Google reviews and local listings are both crucial because they directly impact a business’s visibility, credibility, and ranking in search results, whether done on Google search or Google Maps. Positive reviews build trust with potential customers, while accurate and complete local listings ensure that businesses appear correctly in search results and on Google Maps.
Both have their own benefits and have the aim of improving engagement and conversation. Let’s know the major reasons that make them as important as your website.
Importance of Google Reviews:
- Impact on Ranking: Google reviews, including the number and quality of reviews, significantly influence a business’s ranking in local search results.
- Building Trust: Positive reviews act as social proof, showing potential customers that others have had a good experience with the business, making them more likely to choose that business.
- Visibility: More reviews and higher ratings generally lead to better visibility in search results, increasing the chances of a customer finding and choosing your business.
- Engagement: Responding to both positive and negative reviews demonstrates that the business cares about customer feedback and provides an opportunity to address concerns or highlight positive experiences.
Importance of Local Listing
- Visibility and Reach: Local listings, such as Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), provide accurate information about a business, including its name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and more.
- Driving Traffic: Accurate local listings ensure that potential customers can easily find a business’s physical location and contact information, leading to increased foot traffic and phone calls.
- Website Authority: Local listings contribute to a business’s overall online authority and can help drive traffic to the website by providing direct links.
- Customer Confidence: Consistent and accurate information across different platforms builds trust and confidence in the business, making customers more likely to engage.
So, Google reviews and local listings work together to create a strong online presence for local businesses, improving their search engine ranking and ultimately driving more customers. This is highly beneficial for the business.
Businesses need a combined digital marketing strategy
A website till now was considered the destination for searchers. Potential buyers have to reach the website to place the order, but things have changed now. People can now contact the business and place the order without even visiting the website.
Which directly or indirectly decreases the value of having a website, but increases the importance of Google Reviews and Local Listing.
However, all three separately now can’t seize a hundred percent of the available opportunities. People looking for the product or services also check information and data, which is where a website is essential. In other cases, when people look for products, information, and services, they also want to see where the business is located and how good it is, and that’s where they go through Google Reviews about the business.
So, ultimately, Google Reviews & Local Listings are as Important as Your Website, and you need a combined approach to thrive in this highly competitive world.
Conclusion
So, now you know what Google Reviews and Local Listing are, their importance, and how they are essential for businesses, along with their website. Businesses looking to succeed in the online-dominated world should choose a combined approach. They can have a website, a Google business profile, and a local listing, and they will have to optimise it regularly to stay relevant and on top of their competitor. So, with your website, work on your Google Business profile and Local Listings, and if you need any help, feel free to consult with VerveOnlineMarketing.
We at VerveOnlineMarketing are one of the best all-in-one digital marketing service providers in India and offer quality services and guidance at a reasonable cost. So, what are you waiting for? Explore our services now!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is local SEO an important factor for Google?
Local SEO is an important factor for Google because it helps Google show nearby businesses to users searching for local services.
2. Why is a review-based Google Maps listing important?
A review-based Google Maps listing builds trust and increases the visibility of the business in local search results. It also helps businesses get top positions in SERPs, knowledge panels, and Google Maps.
3. Why are reviews important for SEO?
Reviews (positive) on the website or Google business profile boost credibility and engagement. When people do research about a business for their products or services, they can check what others are saying about the same. Maintaining a positive reputation is a must in this digital age.
4. How do Google reviews help with SEO?
Positive reviews improve credibility and click-through rates in local searches. People do connect businesses with positive reviews more compared to businesses with no or negative reviews.
5. How to promote business in the local area?
To promote business in the local area, use Google My Business, collect reviews, do local listing, engage on social media, and run local ads.
