Local Keyword Research Guide: A Complete Strategy for Location-Based SEO Keywords

Do you know what keywords customers use to find your competitors?

Local keywords are the bridge between you and nearby customers. Target the right keywords, and customers will find you when they search.

This article teaches you how to research and leverage local keywords effectively.

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Local Search Behavior Analysis

The Growth of "Near Me" Searches

"Near me" searches continue to grow

Over the past few years, search volume for queries containing "near me" has surged dramatically.

Common "near me" searches:

• "restaurants near me"
• "coffee shop near me"
• "gas station near me"
• "open now near me"
• "24 hours near me"

What does this mean?

Consumers increasingly rely on search to find nearby businesses. If you haven't invested in local SEO, you're missing out on these searches.

The Consumer Decision Journey for Local Search

A typical local search flow:

Need arises → Search → View results → Compare options → Take action

Search types at each stage:

The Relationship Between Mobile and Local Search

Mobile devices dominate local search:

• Over 70% of local searches come from smartphones
• Mobile searches more easily trigger "near me" results
• Google delivers results based on the user's location

This means:

• Your website must be mobile-friendly
• Your Google Business Profile must be complete
• Your business hours must be accurate ("Open now" is an advantage)

Types of Local Keywords

Explicit Location Keywords (City + Service)

Format: Location + Service/Product

Examples:

• "Taipei dentist"
• "Xinyi District restaurant"
• "Da'an District hair salon"
• "Hsinchu moving company"

Characteristics:

• User explicitly wants services in a specific area
• Clear search intent
• May have higher competition

Implicit Local Intent Keywords (e.g., "recommended restaurant")

Some searches carry implicit local intent

Even without mentioning a location, Google knows the user likely wants local results.

Examples:

• "recommended restaurant" — Google shows nearby restaurants
• "best dentist" — Shows nearby dentists
• "great breakfast spot" — Shows nearby breakfast places

How to tell?

Search it yourself. If the results include a map pack, the keyword has local intent.

"Near Me" Keywords

Format: "near me" + Service/Product or Service/Product + "near me"

Examples:

• "coffee shop near me"
• "restaurant near me"
• "24-hour convenience store near me"

Characteristics:

• Strong local intent
• Users are usually ready to take immediate action
• Rankings depend heavily on actual physical distance

How to optimize?

You can't change your location, but you can:

• Ensure your Google Business Profile location is accurate
• Keep your business hours correct
• Build up positive reviews

Landmark-Based Keywords

Format: Landmark + Service/Product

Examples:

• "restaurants near Taipei 101"
• "food near the train station"
• "clothing stores in Ximending"
• "drinks near Shida Night Market"

Characteristics:

• Users may be tourists or visitors from out of town
• Using landmarks as reference points
• Ideal for businesses near popular landmarks

Local Keyword Research Methods

Using Google Keyword Planner

Steps:

1. Set Your Location

In the Keyword Planner, set your target region (e.g., Taipei City).

2. Enter Seed Keywords

Enter your service or product, such as "dentist" or "restaurant."

3. Review Suggestions

Look at Google's suggested related keywords and search volumes.

4. Filter for Keywords with Local Intent

Identify keywords that include location names or have local intent.

Analyzing Google Autocomplete Suggestions

The simplest method:

Type your service in the Google search bar and see what autocomplete suggests.

Example:

Typing "Taipei dentist":

• Taipei dentist recommended
• Taipei dentist cleaning
• Taipei dentist implant
• Taipei dentist orthodontics

These are real keywords people actually search for.

Advanced Tips:

• Try different locations
• Try different services
• Check the "Related searches" section at the bottom

Researching Competitor Keywords

Examine competitor websites:

• What keywords do they use in page titles?
• Which locations do they mention in their content?
• How is their Google Business Profile written?

Tool-Assisted Research:

Use SEO tools (such as Ahrefs, SEMrush) to check which keywords competitors rank for.

Collecting Customer Search Terms

Ask your customers:

• How did you find us?
• What did you search for?

Check Google Search Console:

See which keywords users used to find your website.

Check Google Business Profile Insights:

See which search queries led users to your listing.

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Location + Service Keyword Combination Strategy

Building a Keyword Matrix

What is a keyword matrix?

Cross-referencing locations and services to generate every possible keyword combination.

How to build one:

1. List all your services

For example, a dental clinic:

• Cleaning
• Implants
• Orthodontics
• Whitening
• Root canal

2. List all target locations

For example:

• Taipei
• Xinyi District
• Da'an District
• Songshan District

3. Cross-reference them

Choosing Primary and Secondary Locations

You don't need to target every location

Prioritize based on these criteria:

Primary Locations:

• Where your store is located
• Where most of your customers come from
• Areas with the highest search volume

Secondary Locations:

• Nearby areas
• Areas your services cover
• Areas with growth potential

Long-Tail Keyword Opportunities

What are long-tail keywords?

Longer, more specific keywords. They have lower search volume but also lower competition.

Local long-tail keyword examples:

• "pediatric dentist in Xinyi District recommended"
• "Taipei 24-hour emergency dentist"
• "painless dental cleaning in Da'an"

The value of long-tail keywords:

• Lower competition makes ranking easier
• More specific search intent
• Typically higher conversion rates

Multi-Location Keyword Strategies

Independent Keyword Plans for Each Location

If you have multiple locations:

Each location needs its own keyword strategy.

Example:

Taipei Xinyi Store:

• Primary keyword: Xinyi District dentist
• Secondary keyword: dentist near Taipei 101

Taipei Da'an Store:

• Primary keyword: Da'an District dentist
• Secondary keyword: dentist near Shida University

Balancing Brand vs. Individual Store Keywords

Two levels:

Brand level:

• "ABC Dental" (brand search)
• "ABC Dental locations"

Individual store level:

• "ABC Dental Xinyi Branch"
• "Xinyi District dentist" (generic local search)

Strategy:

• Homepage targets brand keywords
• Each branch page targets local keywords

Avoiding Self-Competition

Problem: Multiple locations competing for the same keywords

Solutions:

1. Each location has a clear service area
2. Unique content on each location page
3. Emphasize different specialties at each location

Wrong approach:

All branch pages have identical content with just the address swapped.

Right approach:

Each branch page has:

• A unique introduction for that store
• Service descriptions for that specific area
• Specialty services offered at that location
• Local transit information

Applying Local Keywords

Website Content Optimization

Using local keywords on your website:

1. Page Title (Title Tag)

✓ Best Dentist in Xinyi District | ABC Dental Clinic
✓ Taipei Dental Implant Expert - ABC Dental | Professional Implant Services

2. Body Content

Naturally mention the location and service throughout your content.

3. Location Pages

Create dedicated pages for each service area.

4. Footer Information

Display your complete address and service areas in the footer.

Google Business Profile Application

Using keywords in your Business Profile:

1. Business Description

Naturally mention your services and areas.

2. Service/Product Items

List all services, including relevant keywords.

3. Posts

Publish posts that include local keywords.

4. Q&A

Answer questions that incorporate relevant keywords.

Paid Advertising Application

If you run Google Ads:

Local keyword research can be applied to:

1. Keyword ads: Target high-conversion local keywords
2. Location settings: Set ads to display only in your service area
3. Ad copy: Mention the location in your ads

FAQ

What geographic area should I target?

It depends on your business type:

Factors to Consider:

• How far are customers willing to travel?
• What area does your service cover?
• What's the competitive landscape like?

Are low-volume local keywords worth targeting?

Yes, they're worth considering, because:

1. Low competition: Easier to rank for
2. Precise: The people searching may be exactly your target customers
3. Cumulative effect: Many low-volume keywords add up to significant traffic

Recommendation:

• Focus your main effort on higher-volume keywords
• Simultaneously target long-tail keywords
• Don't ignore low-volume keywords with high conversion potential

How do I track local keyword rankings?

Methods:

1. Manual Checks

Search from your target area. Note: Results vary by location.

2. Google Search Console

See which keywords your website gets impressions for.

3. Local Rank Tracking Tools

Use tools that simulate searches from different locations:

• BrightLocal
• Whitespark
• SEMrush

4. Google Business Profile Insights

See which searches led users to find you.

Why Local Keywords Are the Bridge to Your Customers

Key Takeaways:

1. Understand local search behavior

   • "Near me" searches are growing
   • Mobile is dominant
   • High search intent, fast conversions

2. Know the types of local keywords

   • Explicit location keywords
   • Implicit local intent
   • Landmark-based keywords

3. Research methods

   • Google Autocomplete
   • Keyword Planner
   • Competitor analysis
   • Customer interviews

4. Combination strategy

   • Build a keyword matrix
   • Location + service combinations
   • Long-tail keyword opportunities

5. Practical application

   • Website content
   • Google Business Profile
   • Paid advertising

Learn more about Local SEO in our complete guide.

Learn about Keyword Research in our keyword research guide.

Local keywords need localized content to support them. Get an AI article solution via LINE.

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