Why does the address of GMB verification matter?

The address used for Google My Business (GMB) verification is crucial because it must be located in the city where you want your business to rank. If the address is outside that city, ranking well in the desired location can become very difficult.

Full Explanation

The address associated with your GMB verification acts as a signal to Google about the physical location of your business. This geographic association helps Google determine where to show your business listing in local search results. If your verified address is not within the city you are targeting, Google may not consider your business relevant for searches in that area. Therefore, the closer and more accurate your verified address is to your target city, the higher the chances of ranking well locally.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Choose the target city: Decide where you want your business to be visible in search results.
Verify with an address in that city: Make sure the GMB verification address physically belongs to the chosen city.
Confirm verification: Complete the GMB verification process using the correct address to ensure Google recognizes your location properly.
Maintain consistency: Keep the verified address aligned with your desired ranking location to avoid confusion in local searches.

Real Examples

Imagine you want your business to rank in Austin. If your GMB verification uses an address in a nearby town instead, Google may have difficulty associating your business with Austin specifically. As a result, your local search ranking in Austin could suffer, making it harder for customers in that city to find you.

Common Mistakes

Using an address outside the intended target city for GMB verification.
Assuming a nearby town or suburb address is close enough for local ranking purposes.
Failing to update your verified address even if your business physically relocates.

FAQs

Can I verify with a P.O. Box instead of a physical address?: Verification requires a physical address in the city where you want to rank; P.O. Boxes are generally not accepted.
What happens if my business moves to a different city?: You should update your GMB verification address to the new location to maintain local ranking relevance.

Key Takeaways

Your GMB verification address must be located in the city you aim to rank in.
Using an address outside your target city makes it difficult to appear in local search results for that city.
Accurate and consistent location information is essential for effective local SEO through GMB.