SEO is a crucial digital marketing strategy now. But, business owners often get confused over different terms used in SEO. Local SEO vs Organic SEO is one of the topic of debate just like that! But as a digital marketing expert for over 11 years, I know not all SEO strategies are the same. 

To clarify the confusion, we will explore the distinctions between Local SEO and Organic SEO, the key factors influencing each, and when to prioritize one over the other. So, let’s get straight to the point!

What is Organic SEO?

Organic SEO focuses on improving a website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) on a national or global scale. The organic SEO process involves optimizing website content. Here, SEO strategists must improve technical aspects and acquire backlinks to rank higher for relevant search queries. 

Importance of Organic SEO

Organic SEO benefits businesses operating in a broad market and wanting to attract visitors regardless of their geographical location. SEO Inc. reported in their SEO statistics that 53% of website traffic comes from organic search. So it has a huge significance in terms of traffic.

Key Factors Affecting Organic SEO

Several elements influence organic SEO rankings, such as – keyword optimization, content, site speed, user experience, etc. Here is an overview of all the essentials – 

• Keyword Optimization: Using relevant keywords in content, meta tags, and headers.
• High-Quality Content: Providing valuable, informative, and engaging content.
• Backlinks: Acquiring different types of authoritative links from reputable websites.
• Site Speed & Performance: Ensuring fast-loading pages for better user experience.
• Mobile Friendliness: Optimizing the website for mobile users.
• User Experience (UX): Enhancing site navigation, readability, and engagement.
• Technical SEO: Implementing structured data, optimizing images, and improving crawlability.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a subset of SEO that optimizes a business’s online presence for local searches. It helps businesses appear in searches that include location-specific queries such as “near me” or “[service] in [city].” Overall, local SEO is crucial for businesses that operate in specific geographic areas and rely on foot traffic or local customers.

Importance of Local SEO

Local SEO is intended for potential customers who are looking for nearby areas. On the Map Marketing shared in local SEO statistics that 87% of customers read online reviews and follow local maps to find a nearby store.

Key Factors Affecting Local SEO

The key factors influencing Local SEO include:

• Google My Business (GMB) Optimization: The benefits of the GMB profile are unimaginable. If you put accurate and complete GMB profile details, your profiel will rank faster. 
• NAP Consistency: Keeping the business Name, Address, and Phone Number consistent across directories is mandatory for local SEO to build a credible authority.
• Local Citations: Getting listed on relevant local directories and listings.
• Customer Reviews: Encouraging positive customer reviews on Google and other platforms.
• Local Keywords: Using geo-targeted keywords in content and metadata.
• Localized Content: Creating blog posts, landing pages, and promotions specific to the local audience.
• Backlinks from Local Websites: Earning links from local businesses, news sites, and directories.

Key Differences Between Local and Organic SEO

Local SEO and organic SEO are the fundamentals of the work of an SEO strategist. But there are some fundamental differences between local and organic SEO in the workflow. Those are—

When to Focus on Organic SEO?

Okay, you understand the basics of organic SEO. Now, we will discuss what to focus on and when to. You should prioritize organic SEO if – 

• You run an e-commerce store or an online-based business.
• Your business serves a global or nationwide audience.
• Your main goal is to build long-term brand authority.
• You want to rank for industry-related terms rather than local terms.
• Your target audience does not require a physical location to access services.

When Should You Prioritize Local SEO?

You should focus on local SEO if – 

• Your business has a physical storefront or serves a specific geographic area.
• You operate in industries like restaurants, salons, repair services, healthcare, and retail stores.
• You want to attract foot traffic and local customers.
• You rely on Google Maps and local searches for visibility.
• You want to increase customer reviews and local brand trust.

Final Words

Long story short, both Local SEO and Organic SEO play significant roles in a business’s online success. If you aim for global visibility, organic SEO is the right choice.

But, if you want to attract local customers, your investment should be on local SEO. Combining both strategies can yield the best results for many businesses, ensuring a strong online presence and higher conversion rates.

FAQs

What is an example of a local SEO strategy?

An example of a local SEO strategy is optimizing your Google Business Profile. Relying upon it, you can claim and verify your business listing and provide accurate contact details side by side. 

Is local SEO a part of organic SEO?

Yes, we can consider locl SEO as a part of organic SEO. Still, it’s a specific subset focused on optimizing a business’s online presence to appear in local search results. In contrast, organic SEO aims to improve visibility in broader, non-local search results across the internet.

Which SEO types are considered organic SEO?

Organic SEO is a strategy to improve a website’s ranking in unpaid search results on search engines like Google and Bing. There are some common techniques, such as— keyword research, link building, content creation, and optimizing page speed to enhance visibility and achieve higher search rankings naturally.