HOW LOCAL SEARCHACTUALLY WORKS
Plain-language answers about Google Maps, reviews, AI search, ads, and tracking, written for people who run moving companies.
Local Search & Google Maps
Local search is how Google decides which nearby businesses to show for searches like “movers near me.” Learn how the map pack works, what affects rankings, and how service-area pages should be built.
Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is the listing that appears in Google Maps and the map pack. Learn how verification, service areas, and suspensions work.
Reviews & Reputation
Reviews affect both rankings and whether customers call. Learn what review platforms allow, how to ask for reviews, and how to handle negative ones.
AI Search & Answer Engines
ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews answer questions directly and cite a few sources. Learn how these systems pick sources and how businesses become one of them.
Google Ads & Local Services Ads
Paid search puts a business at the top of Google for a price per click or per lead. Learn how Local Services Ads, the Google Verified badge, and Performance Max work.
Leads & Lead Generation
A lead is a potential customer who has asked for a quote. Learn how lead types, pricing models, and response time affect how many leads become booked moves.
Tracking & Attribution
Tracking connects calls, forms, and booked jobs back to the marketing that produced them. Learn how call tracking, UTM parameters, and offline conversions work.