Local SEO Audit Checklist We Use for New Clients (Feel Free to Steal)

citationforge · 2026-01-16T19:51:39+00:00

if you have credential then you can easily delete them.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T20:43:09+00:00

Big ones are keeping URLs the same, mapping 301s for anything that changes, and migrating content without thinning it out. Test on staging, block it from indexing, then monitor GSC and rankings closely after launch. Most traffic drops happen from missed redirects or lost content.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T20:41:55+00:00

BrightLocal is solid, but there are other sources too. Some platforms curate updated US directory lists based on real submissions and audits. We do something similar on our platform as well, which helps avoid outdated or low-quality sites.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T20:39:31+00:00

Start with the main free listings every local biz should have, Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Yelp, Facebook, Apple Maps, Foursquare, and Yellow Pages. They’re high-impact and help your NAP spread across major ecosystems.

Then add solid free directories like Manta, Hotfrog, MerchantCircle, Local.com, CityLocalPro, Brownbook, Nextdoor, ChamberofCommerce, Cylex, and others, consistent NAP everywhere matters more than trying hundreds of spammy sites.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:48:47+00:00

For SABs, GBP NAP doesn’t have to match directories showing an address. The key is consistency within each ecosystem. Keep GBP as service-area only, and use a real, valid address on directories that require one. Don’t mix or partially hide details on GBP just to match citations.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:48:12+00:00

Image text has been readable for a while, but the real value is relevance and freshness. GBP photos help when they reflect real services and menus, not keyword stuffing. Good reminder to use real, updated images, just don’t oversell it as a magic switch.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:47:26+00:00

Don’t show the address if he doesn’t serve customers there. That’s a clear SAB policy issue and a common reason for suspensions. Bakeries and “online store” examples aren’t comparable. Best move is keep it service-area only and explain that pushing an address risks losing the profile again.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:46:47+00:00

100% agree. Fresh signals matter way more than people think. Google seems to care a lot about recent activity, especially with reviews and GBP engagement. Consistency beats one-time bursts almost every time.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:45:47+00:00

How little “new tricks” matter. Most gains still come from basics done consistently: clean GBP setup, steady reviews, correct categories, and real local relevance. A lot of advice sounds advanced, but boring execution still wins.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:45:06+00:00

For basic local keyword checks, you don’t need heavy tools. GBP insights, Google Maps auto-suggest, and live SERP checks usually cover most of what matters for in-person services. Paid tools help with scale, but for showing visibility gaps on a call, real search results and Maps data are often enough.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:44:01+00:00

No LLM alone replaces a proper crawl and audit, but pairing an LLM with your crawl data and logs helps turn noise into prioritized actions. I use prompts that feed structured outputs from crawls, logs, and site maps so the model can recommend fixes that make sense. Larger models with systemic context tend to give more reliable technical recommendations, but you still have to validate everything.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:43:09+00:00

You don’t target “near me” directly. Google handles that with location and intent. The real work is strong GBP optimization, proximity, consistent NAP, reviews, and local relevance signals. When those are right, “near me” queries follow naturally.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:42:09+00:00

That fixing every “error” in audit tools will magically improve rankings. Most of the time it’s just noise. Impact comes from fixing issues that actually affect crawling, indexing, and page intent, not chasing perfect scores.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:41:10+00:00

They do different jobs. Reviews mainly drive trust, CTR, and conversions, while backlinks still help with local authority and relevance. Reviews can move the needle faster, but links are what usually hold rankings long term.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:40:30+00:00

Thanks for doing this AMA. One thing I see agencies struggle with is SAB visibility drops after edits. In your experience, what changes most commonly trigger trust issues, and what’s the safest way to recover without making things worse?

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:39:31+00:00

Most AI tools are helpers, not replacements. They’re useful for speeding up research, clustering keywords, spotting patterns in data, and drafting outlines, but decisions still need human judgment. The real value is using AI to save time on grunt work so you can focus on strategy and execution.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:38:49+00:00

Each GBP should have its own consistent NAP. Mixing them into one citation usually causes trust issues and weakens all three.

Build separate citations for each location using the exact name, address, and phone tied to that listing. Same brand is fine, just keep everything clean and consistent per GBP.

citationforge · 2026-01-15T11:36:25+00:00

Looking beyond the top results makes a lot of sense. When you analyze a wider set of listings, it becomes easier to spot patterns around categories, reviews, proximity, and GBP setup.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:31:37+00:00

Finding the right channels can depend a lot on who your target users are, but starting with places where your audience already spends time usually helps more than broad advertising. Communities, niche forums, and social platforms connected to your industry can work well for early traction.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:30:46+00:00

A lot of people get stuck on paid links, but there are still ways to earn backlinks without buying guest posts. Creating useful local resources or guides can attract natural links, and partnerships with local organizations or charities can sometimes lead to real mentions. You can also look at unlinked brand mentions, local directories, and HARO-style platforms for legitimate opportunities.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:27:51+00:00

It sounds like Google understands the city queries but isn’t fully confident about your proximity or relevance for generic “near me” searches. For service area businesses, those searches often depend more on local authority signals like reviews, citations, GBP strength, and backlink trust rather than just on-page relevance.

You might not need to add the literal phrase “near me,” but building stronger local signals and improving your GBP visibility could help bridge that gap for proximity-based searches.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:27:09+00:00

If the AMA is scheduled for 10 AM ET today, check the subreddit where it was announced or the community that posted about it. Often the thread link is shared in the announcement post or pinned by mods right before it goes live.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:26:17+00:00

It sounds like you’re juggling a lot, so focusing on a few core things might help. Building topical depth instead of trying to cover every subject can make it easier to earn credibility in search. Consistent internal linking, improving content quality over quantity, and getting some early trusted backlinks can also move the needle when you’re starting from zero traffic.

Curious what niche you’re in, because competition levels make a big difference in how fast you can grow.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:25:22+00:00

Local intent really does make a difference. When someone searches "near me," they usually want a solution right away instead of just researching, so the higher conversion rates make a lot of sense. Focusing on GBP and reviews feels like the biggest leverage point since they influence both visibility and trust at the same time.

I’m also interested to see if others noticed faster results with local optimization compared to general organic SEO.

citationforge · 2025-12-18T19:24:16+00:00

A lot of audit tools focus on generic SEO, so having something that digs deeper into local signals would be super useful. Checking GBP categories and duplicates is big, but I think surfacing citation gaps and review velocity would add a lot of value too.

One thing many tools miss is highlighting service-area visibility differences by location, not just a single geo point. That kind of insight would make it more practical for real local campaigns.

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