What is Local Organic Results?
Learn what Local Organic Results means, why it matters for local search, and how automated local SEO helps your business get found by nearby customers.
Definition
Local organic results are the standard blue-link search results that appear below the local pack on a Google search results page. Influenced by both.
What are Local Organic Results?
Local organic results are the traditional blue-link search listings that appear below the local pack (the map with 3 business listings) on Google’s results page for location-based queries.
These results blend traditional SEO ranking signals. Content quality, backlinks, technical health. With local relevance factors like geographic content, city pages, and NAP data. A search for “plumber in Denver” shows the local pack at the top, followed by local organic results that typically include plumber websites, directory listings, and local review sites.
According to BrightLocal data, 35% of all local search clicks go to local organic results. A significant traffic source that many businesses ignore while focusing exclusively on the local pack. Businesses that rank in both the local pack and local organic results capture the most total traffic.
Why Do Local Organic Results Matter?
The local pack gets attention, but local organic results drive substantial clicks too.
- 35% of local search clicks. Ignoring organic results means leaving a third of potential traffic to competitors
- More stable than local pack rankings. Organic rankings are less volatile than local pack positions, which fluctuate heavily with distance
- Capture different types of queries. Informational local searches (“cost of dental implants Denver”) appear in organic results, not the local pack
- Build authority for pack rankings. Strong organic rankings feed into prominence, which helps local pack performance
A complete local SEO strategy targets both: the local pack through Google Business Profile optimization and local organic results through website content.
How Local Organic Results Work
Ranking Factors
Local organic rankings depend on traditional SEO signals enhanced with local relevance: local landing pages targeting “[service] in [city],” NAP consistency across the web, local backlinks from community organizations, and content that addresses location-specific questions.
Content Strategy
Publishing localized blog content is the primary lever. Articles targeting “best dentist in [neighborhood],” “how much does AC repair cost in [city],” or “[service] near [landmark]” all capture local organic queries. theStacc publishes 30 articles per month that can include geo-targeted content to capture these local organic positions.
Complementing the Local Pack
Businesses appearing in both the local pack and position 1-3 of local organic results dominate the search results page. This “double listing” captures clicks from both sections and signals extreme relevance to searchers.
Local Organic Results Examples
An injury law firm ranks #2 in the local pack for “personal injury lawyer Austin” but doesn’t appear in organic results at all. They start publishing blog content targeting long-tail local queries: “car accident settlement amounts in Texas,” “Austin intersection accident statistics.” Within 4 months, they capture 5 local organic positions and their overall traffic from local searches doubles.
A dental practice appears in both the local pack and the first organic result for “dentist downtown Portland.” Together, those two positions capture roughly 45% of all clicks on the page. Far more than either position would alone.
Local vs National SEO
| Factor | Local SEO | National SEO |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Map Pack + local organic | Organic rankings nationally |
| Key platform | Google Business Profile | Website content |
| Ranking signals | Proximity, reviews, NAP | Backlinks, content, authority |
| Content focus | Location pages, local topics | Industry-wide topics |
| Timeline | 3-6 months | 6-12 months |
| Competition | Local businesses | National brands |
Tools and Resources
| Tool | Purpose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Local listing management | Free |
| BrightLocal | Local rank tracking, citations | From $39/month |
| Whitespark | Citation building, local rank tracking | From $39/month |
| Moz Local | Listing distribution | From $14/month |
| theStacc | Automated local content + GBP posts | From $99/month |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are local organic results different from regular organic results?
Same format (blue links), but Google applies local relevance signals to rank them. Geographic content, local backlinks, and NAP consistency influence local organic rankings in ways they don’t affect non-local organic results.
Can I rank in local organic results without a GBP listing?
Yes. Local organic results come from your website, not your GBP. However, having an optimized GBP listing indirectly supports organic rankings through prominence signals and brand recognition.
What content ranks best in local organic results?
Location-specific service pages and blog posts targeting “[service] + [city]” or “[topic] + [location]” queries. Local landing pages with unique content for each service area perform especially well.
Want to capture both local pack and organic results? theStacc publishes 30 SEO-optimized articles to your site every month. Including geo-targeted content for local rankings. Start for $1 →
Sources
- BrightLocal: Local Search Click-Through Study
- Moz: Local Search Ranking Factors
- Google Search Central: Local SEO
How Local Organic Results drives local business growth. In practice
Local Organic Results gives local businesses the framework. But consistently winning local search requires showing up repeatedly. Through GBP posts, local content, and fresh articles. The businesses ranking above you aren't smarter; they're more consistent. theStacc automates that consistency: 30 GBP posts, local landing pages, and blog content every month without the manual effort.
See how theStacc worksRelated Terms
Local landing pages are location-specific web pages built to rank for geographic search queries. Each page targets a specific city, neighborhood, or.
The Local Pack is a Google SERP feature that displays a map and 3 local business listings for location-based searches. It appears above organic results.
Local SEO optimizes your online presence to attract customers from local searches. It focuses on Google Business Profile, local citations, reviews, and.
Organic search refers to the unpaid, algorithm-driven listings that appear in search engine results pages. Unlike paid ads, organic results are earned.
A SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is the page a search engine displays after a user enters a query, containing organic listings, paid ads, and features.
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