Why Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Ranking and How to Fix It

I’ve been asked this question many times, and it usually goes like this: “I’ve done everything! My profile is filled out, my photos are optimized, and I’ve got reviews. So why is my business still showing up further down the list? Meanwhile, my competitors, with fewer reviews and photos, rank higher. What’s going on?”

If you’ve ever felt this frustration, you’re not alone. Let’s take a closer look at why this happens and, just as importantly, how you can improve your visibility without accidentally causing problems for your profile.

Understanding How Google Ranks Business Profiles

First, it’s worth understanding that Google looks at three key factors when ranking business profiles:

1. Relevance – Does your profile match what people are searching for?
2. Distance – How close is your business to the person searching?
3. Prominence – How well-known and trusted is your business online?

So, even if you’ve done a great job optimizing your profile, things like proximity to the searcher or your business’s online authority can still play a significant role. This doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong—it just means there are more pieces to the puzzle. If you need help untangling this, a trusted Raleigh SEO company can guide you through the process.

Why Competitors With Less Seem to Rank Better

Sometimes, businesses with incomplete profiles rank better, and it’s infuriating. Here are a few reasons why this happens:

• Local Authority: Older, established businesses often benefit from Google seeing them as more credible, even if their profiles aren’t fully optimized.
• Proximity: If a competitor is closer to most searchers in your area, they might outrank you purely based on location.
• User Engagement: Google loves active profiles. If their profile gets more clicks on “Call” or “Directions,” that signals relevance.

To analyze why your competitors might be gaining an edge, working with local SEO Raleigh professionals can offer valuable insights and strategies.

How to Improve Your Ranking the Right Way

Moving up in the rankings is all about working smarter, not harder. Here are some steps to focus on:

Optimize Naturally

Add relevant keywords to your business description and posts, but avoid keyword stuffing. For example, if you’re a florist, something like “Our flower shop in Raleigh offers same-day delivery” feels natural. In contrast, “Raleigh florist flowers delivery best florist Raleigh” sounds spammy. If you’re unsure how to implement this effectively, a Raleigh local SEO expert can guide you in crafting a natural yet impactful approach.

Keep It Active

Post regular updates, add new photos, and respond to reviews. Fresh activity shows Google—and customers—that your business is alive and well. Just don’t overdo it. Uploading too many photos or making constant changes can look suspicious. For photos, aim to add just a few per week. If you’re stuck on creating a consistent content schedule, consulting with an experienced SEO firm Raleigh can help you maintain the right balance.

The Risks of Over-Tweaking

Here’s where caution comes in. While keeping your profile fresh is important, overdoing it can backfire.

1. Frequent Updates: Quickly making too many significant updates—like changing your business name, address, and categories—can trigger Google’s spam filters. Spread these updates out over time.
2. Photo Uploads: Uploading a large number of photos all at once can also raise red flags. It’s better to gradually add images, ensuring each is high quality and relevant.
3. Keywords: Stuffing your profile with keywords might seem like a good idea, but it can make your content sound unnatural and even result in penalties.
4. Fake Reviews: Never, ever pay for fake reviews. Google has sophisticated ways of detecting them, and profiles caught doing this can be suspended or removed entirely.

For tailored advice on keeping your updates steady and natural, reaching out to SEO experts Raleigh can help you avoid these pitfalls.

Striking the Right Balance

Improving your Google Business Profile isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about taking steady, thoughtful steps. Focus on creating engaging, relevant content that serves your customers and aligns with Google’s guidelines. By avoiding over-optimizing, you’ll stay in Google’s good graces and gradually see your profile rise in the rankings.

Minor, consistent improvements are the key. Keep building your profile, engaging with your customers, and staying mindful of what works and doesn’t. The effort you put in today will pay off tomorrow.