If you own a local business or serve specific geographic areas, then local SEO is your best friend. But to fully unlock its potential, you need to understand how to find and use local keywords—the cornerstone of any successful local SEO strategy.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into:

• What local keywords are

• Why they matter for SEO

• Where and how to find them

• Best practices for implementing them

• How to track their performance

Let’s explore how to bring more nearby customers to your site—and your doorstep—by mastering local keyword optimization.

What Are Local Keywords?

Local keywords are search terms that contain a specific geographic location, used by people looking for businesses, services, or solutions in a particular area.

Examples include:

• “Best coffee shop in Portland”

• “Electricians near downtown LA”

• “24-hour locksmith Brooklyn NY”

These keywords tell Google that the user has local intent, meaning they want results relevant to their current location or a specific region.

Why Local Keywords Matter?

Using local keywords in your SEO strategy can:

• Improve your visibility in Google Maps and the local pack

• Drive highly targeted traffic to your site

• Increase the chances of in-person visits

• Improve conversion rates (local searches often indicate buying intent)

• Help you outrank competitors who don’t localize their content

According to Google, 76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a related business within a day. If you’re not optimized for local intent, you’re leaving money on the table.

How to Find Local Keywords?

1. Start With Your Services and Locations

Before diving into tools, create a matrix of your offerings and service areas.

Example:
If you’re a landscaping company in Atlanta:

• Services: Lawn care, tree removal, garden design

• Locations: Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta

This will guide your keyword discovery process.

2. Use Google Autocomplete

Start typing phrases into Google’s search bar, such as “lawn care Atlanta.” Google will suggest:

• “lawn care Atlanta GA”

• “best lawn care company Atlanta”

• “cheap lawn mowing Atlanta”

These autocomplete results reflect real, frequent searches by local users.

3. Explore Google’s ‘People Also Ask’ and ‘Related Searches’

Look at the “People Also Ask” boxes and “Related searches” at the bottom of search results.

Example:

• “What’s the average cost of landscaping in Atlanta?”

• “Top-rated landscapers near me”

These suggestions offer long-tail, question-based local keywords you can use in blog posts and FAQ sections.

4. Use Google Keyword Planner

Set your location in Google Ads Keyword Planner and enter your service or product.

Benefits:

• Shows keyword volume and competition in your region

• Suggests variations of your keywords

For instance, “tree trimming Atlanta” might yield suggestions like:

• “emergency tree removal Atlanta”

• “licensed arborist Decatur GA”

5. Use Local SEO Tools

If you want to go deeper, try tools like:

• Ubersuggest: Enter a seed keyword with a location filter

• Ahrefs: Analyze what keywords your competitors rank for

• SEMrush: Track local keyword positions

• BrightLocal: Purpose-built for local rank tracking

6. Leverage Review Sites and Forums

Check platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and local Facebook groups. Read how real users describe their needs or experiences.

Example:

“This is the best plumber in East Austin—they fixed our leaky pipe the same day!”

You can turn that into keywords like:

• “plumber East Austin”

• “same-day plumbing East Austin”

How to Use Local Keywords for SEO?

Once you have your keywords, the next step is integrating them naturally and strategically into your content.

1. Use Local Keywords in Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Your title tag and meta description are crucial for both SEO and click-through rates.

Example:

• Title: “Affordable HVAC Repair in Dallas, TX | Free Estimates”

• Meta: “Licensed HVAC technicians serving Dallas and nearby areas. Call for same-day AC repair and installation.”

2. Optimize Your Website Content

Place local keywords in:

• H1 and H2 headings

• Introductory paragraphs

• Alt text for images

• Internal links

• Footer with location info

Ensure the content remains readable and avoids keyword stuffing.

3. Create Location-Specific Pages

If you serve multiple cities or neighborhoods, build a unique page for each.

Example URLs:

• yoursite.com/plumbing-austin

• yoursite.com/plumbing-round-rock

Each page should feature:

• Unique content for that area

• Local testimonials

• Service area map

• Directions or nearby landmarks

4. Update Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile (GBP) is a critical asset for local SEO. Use local keywords in:

• Your business description

• Services list

• GBP posts and FAQs

Tip: Add photos with geotags to reinforce your location relevance.

5. Write Blog Posts Around Local Topics

Use your blog to create content that targets long-tail and seasonal local keywords.

Examples:

• “How to Maintain Your Garden During Houston Summers”

• “Top 5 AC Problems Homeowners in Tucson Face”

• “When to Prune Trees in Northern California”

This helps build topical authority and supports other local pages.

6. Use Schema Markup for Local SEO

Add LocalBusiness Schema to your site. This gives Google structured data like:

• Business name

• Phone number

• Address

• Service areas

• Business hours

Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper or a plugin if you’re using WordPress.

How to Track Local Keyword Performance?

It’s essential to monitor how your keywords are performing so you can improve continuously.

📊 Use These Tools:

• Google Search Console: Track impressions and clicks by keyword

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4): View user behavior by location

• BrightLocal / SEMrush: Monitor local rankings over time

• Call Tracking Software: Attribute leads to specific keyword-optimized pages

Tips for Ongoing Success

• Refresh location pages every 6 months with updated content

• Respond to reviews using local keywords naturally

• Encourage customers to mention their neighborhood in reviews

• Run local content campaigns during holidays or seasonal trends

• Avoid duplicating content across city pages

Conclusion

Local keywords are the backbone of a successful local SEO strategy. When used strategically, they help connect your business with the people most likely to become customers—those in your immediate area who are actively searching for what you provide.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can discover powerful keywords, use them the right way, and rise in local search rankings—bringing your business more traffic, more leads, and more local customers.