Local SEO
What Is the Difference Between Local and Organic SEO?
Danny Leibrandt
Monday, December 2, 2024
When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), understanding the distinction between local SEO and organic SEO is essential. While both aim to improve your visibility on search engines, their strategies, goals, and target audiences differ significantly. Whether you’re a local business owner or managing a broader online presence, knowing how these two SEO types work can help you create an effective marketing strategy.
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between local and organic SEO, along with tips to optimize for both.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO focuses on improving your visibility in geographically-specific search results. It’s ideal for businesses that serve customers in specific areas, such as pest control companies, restaurants, or medical practices.
Key Features of Local SEO:
Google Business Profile: Local SEO heavily relies on optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) to appear in the local pack and Google Maps.
Geographic Keywords: Emphasizes location-specific terms like “pest control in Austin” or “best Italian restaurant near me.”
Local Directories: Builds citations and backlinks from local directories and community websites.
Primary Goal:
To drive traffic from nearby users searching for services or products in your area.
What Is Organic SEO?
Organic SEO focuses on improving your website’s rankings in non-geographic search results. It’s a broader approach that targets keywords and content to attract visitors from anywhere, regardless of their location.
Key Features of Organic SEO:
Content Optimization: Prioritizes high-quality, relevant content that targets user intent.
Keyword Research: Focuses on industry-specific terms and long-tail keywords that users search for globally or nationally.
Backlink Building: Relies on earning backlinks from authoritative websites to boost domain authority.
Primary Goal:
To increase website traffic and visibility in search results for general queries.
Key Differences Between Local and Organic SEO
How Local and Organic SEO Work Together
While local and organic SEO serve different purposes, they often overlap and complement each other. For instance:
A local business’s website can rank in both the local pack (via local SEO) and organic results (via organic SEO) for the same query.
High-quality website content (organic SEO) can help reinforce your local SEO efforts by improving your domain authority.
Example:
A pest control company in Chicago might rank in the local pack for “pest control near me” while its blog on “how to prevent termites” ranks organically on SERPs.
When to Focus on Local SEO
Local SEO is essential if:
Your business serves a specific geographic area.
You rely on foot traffic or local inquiries.
You want to rank in Google Maps or the local pack.
Top Local SEO Strategies:
Optimize your Google Business Profile with accurate information and regular updates.
Use geo-specific keywords in your website content and metadata.
Build local citations in directories like Yelp, Angi, and Better Business Bureau.
Encourage customers to leave positive reviews.
When to Focus on Organic SEO
Organic SEO is ideal if:
You’re targeting a national or global audience.
You want to drive traffic to your website for informational or e-commerce purposes.
You’re building a content-rich website that answers broader user queries.
Top Organic SEO Strategies:
Conduct keyword research to target high-value terms.
Create engaging, in-depth content that matches user intent.
Optimize on-page SEO elements like titles, meta descriptions, and internal links.
Build authoritative backlinks from reputable websites.
Which One Should You Focus On?
The choice between local and organic SEO depends on your business goals.
If you’re a local service provider, focus heavily on local SEO while supporting it with organic SEO strategies.
If you’re running an e-commerce site or blog, prioritize organic SEO with minimal local SEO efforts.
For many businesses, the best approach is to combine both strategies. A well-rounded SEO plan ensures you capture traffic from both local and broader audiences.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between local and organic SEO is key to creating a tailored strategy that works for your business. By leveraging the strengths of both, you can increase your online visibility, attract the right audience, and ultimately drive more leads and sales.
At Pest Control SEO, I’ve seen how powerful these strategies can be when used effectively. Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a larger online presence, the right mix of local and organic SEO can make all the difference.
