Getting found on Google
When someone nearby looks for what you do, we want your business in front of them: on Google Search and Maps, on Bing and Apple Maps, and in the answers AI tools give. Here is how that works, what we do about it, and what nobody can promise.
How people look for a local business
Google is still where most searches start. AI tools are growing fast.
52%
started their latest search for a local business on Google Search. 71% used it at some point in that search.
BrightLocal, July 2026: 1,227 US consumers who had searched for a local business in the last three months. BrightLocal sells local SEO software. Source
45%
had used an AI tool for local business recommendations in the past year, up from 6% the year before.
BrightLocal, March 2026: 1,002 US adults. Source
97%
of the people who use AI for local recommendations sometimes double-check them against real reviews.
BrightLocal, March 2026: 455 AI users among 1,002 US adults. Source
44%
of US adults say they use ChatGPT, up from 18% in 2023.
Pew Research Center, February 2026: 5,119 US adults. Source
How Google picks who shows up
Google says local results are based mainly on three things. Here is what each one means, and what we can do about it.
Relevance
"How well a Business Profile matches what someone is searching for." We fill in your profile completely and give each service its own page on your site.
Distance
"How far each business is from the customer who's searching." Nobody can move you closer. We make sure Google has your real address or service area.
Prominence
"How well-known a business is." Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help. We set you up to ask every customer for a review, the way Google allows.
Quotes from Google Business Profile Help, Tips to improve your local ranking on Google.
Your Google Business Profile
Your Business Profile is your listing on Google Search and Maps: your hours, photos, reviews and how to reach you. Google doesn't charge for it. Google says businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up in local results.
Set up and verified
We create or claim your profile and get it verified. Google checks by phone, text, email, video call or postcard, and says its review can take up to 5 business days.
Filled in completely
Your real business name, the few specific categories Google asks for, hours, services, service area and photos.
Kept up every month
On the Google plans, we post updates and new photos of your work each month.
Yours, always
Following Google's policy for agencies, you are the owner and we are a manager. You can remove our access at any time.
Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp and the rest
Google isn't the only map. On the Google plans we set up and fill in your listings on the others too, with the same name, address and phone number everywhere.
Bing Places
Microsoft's free listing for Bing search and Bing Maps. Microsoft has a tool that brings your Google profile details across.
Apple Business
Apple's free service, which replaced Apple Business Connect in April 2026. It's where you claim your place on Apple Maps.
Yelp
A Yelp page is free to claim. Yelp said in August 2026 that its ratings and reviews have begun powering ChatGPT's local results in some categories.
AI search: ChatGPT, Google's AI answers and Copilot
More people now ask an AI tool which local business to call. There is no AI ranking to buy: these tools answer from listings, reviews and the web.
31%
of US consumers had used ChatGPT for local business recommendations in the past year. 23% had used Google's AI Mode.
BrightLocal, March 2026: 1,002 US adults. BrightLocal sells local SEO software. Source
23%
used an AI tool during their latest search for a local business.
BrightLocal, July 2026: 1,227 US consumers. Source
"Still SEO"
Google's own guide says optimizing for its AI search is optimizing for search, and that nothing special is needed to appear in its AI Overviews or AI Mode beyond being eligible to show in Search.
Google Search Central, July 2026 and AI features and your website
Your profiles, complete
Google, Yelp, Bing and Apple, filled in and matching.
A check every month
We ask ChatGPT, Google's AI answers and Copilot the questions your customers would ask, and tell you whether they name you.
No AI tricks
Google says it ignores llms.txt files and the like, so we don't sell them. And AI answers change from one ask to the next: in a 2026 study of 2,961 questions, ChatGPT and Google's AI almost never gave the same list of brands twice (SparkToro, January 2026; SparkToro sells audience research software). So we never promise you'll be named.
Google Ads
Ads can show your business above or below Google's regular results for as long as you pay for them, and they stop when you stop. Google says running ads does not improve your regular ranking, so we treat ads and local search as two separate jobs.
Set up and run for you
We set up your campaigns and keep tuning them every week.
A flat monthly fee
Not a share of what you spend on ads.
Your budget, paid to Google
You pay Google for the ads directly, from your own account, so there is no markup. You set the budget and can change or stop it any time.
A monthly report
What you spent, and the calls and enquiries it brought in.
Google decides where each ad shows in an auction, using your bid, the quality of your ad and page, and more (Google Ads Help). So we never promise a position or a number of leads. Ranking and ads: Google, Our approach to Search.
What nobody can promise
Anyone who guarantees you the top spot is guessing, or worse. Google says so itself.
"No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google."
Google Search Central, Do you need an SEO?
"There's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking on Google."
Google Business Profile Help, Tips to improve your local ranking
"Some changes might take effect in a few hours, others could take several months."
Google Search Central, SEO Starter Guide
What we do promise: the work, done every month, and a report in calls and enquiries.
Ask about the Google plans
Tell us about your business and what you want more of. We reply within 1 business day.