Local SEO Expert 5

Question 1

What does 'entity authority' mean in the context of Google's local search algorithm?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which Google can confidently identify and associate all signals (GBP, website, citations, reviews) with a single, verified real-world business entity

Answer

Entity authority reflects Google's confidence that a business is a well-established, verifiable real-world entity — consistent signals across all sources strengthen this.

Question 2

A competitor is using a keyword-stuffed business name on GBP and outranking you. What is the recommended course of action?

Accepted Answer

Report the listing via Google Business Profile's 'Suggest an edit' or the Business Redressal Complaint Form

Answer

Reporting guideline violations through Google's official channels is the correct response; retaliating with your own violations risks penalties on your own listing.

Question 3

Which advanced Local SEO tactic involves creating content around local data sets or statistics to attract natural links and establish topical authority?

Accepted Answer

Data journalism or 'local data' content marketing (e.g., 'crime statistics in [city]' or 'housing prices by neighborhood')

Answer

Data-driven local content attracts links from journalists and local news outlets, earning high-quality locally-relevant backlinks that boost both domain authority and local prominence.

Question 4

How does 'behavioral signals' factor into Google's local ranking algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Click-through rates, direction requests, calls, and time-on-site signals from Google's ecosystem inform Google about a listing's real-world popularity and relevance

Answer

Google uses engagement data from its own products (Maps, Search) — such as clicks, calls, and direction requests — as real-world popularity signals that influence Local Pack rankings.

Question 5

A healthcare practice wants to add telehealth services to their GBP listing. Which feature should they use?

Accepted Answer

Enable the 'Online care' attribute and add telehealth as a service in the Services section

Answer

GBP's Services section and relevant attributes like 'Online care' are designed specifically for documenting service offerings without creating duplicate or misleading listings.

Local SEO Practice Test

Local SEO Practice Test

Local SEO Expert 5