If you are one of those who are still trying to figure out the difference between local and organic search engine optimization, we have just the right amount of information. In this article, we have discussed both to help clear your confusion and build a better understanding of what these two are, how SEO and local SEO work, and the differences between them.
Let’s begin withthe basics and start by understanding the fundamental definitions of both types of SEO.
What Is Meant By Organic SEO?
Organic SEO is a term that refers to unpaid means of acquiring a high ranking on a Search Engine Result Page (SERP) of search engines like Yahoo, Bing, Google, etc.
Your website can be a personal blog, news or business website, e-commerce store, or any other type. The essential thing is the way a website is created. It is crucial to ensure that the content, as well as the website structure, is created as per the search engine guidelines. It increases the chances of a high rank on a SERP when a search engine crawler moves through the website to assign a rank to it.
A website structure that is easy-to-navigate and comprises of quality content enables search engines to understand if a website is up to the mark and helps in determining the rank on the SERP.
How Is Local SEO Different From Organic SEO?
Local SEOis a branch of organic SEO that focuses on the ranking in search results of a specific geographic location. Every aspect of local SEO is designed to ensure that your local business ranks high in the search results when users from that specific location, search for relevant information.
A potential customer searches for a business in their locality; your business will appear in search results. It will show your location on Google maps and other necessary information that allows them to visit your website. For example, if you provide California local SEO services and a consumer in that state is looking for such services, your website will appear in the search results. Personal blogs or general websites are less likely to gain advantage from local SEO.
These definitions can help you in understanding how local SEO and SEO can have different outcomes.
Local SEO is all about optimization for locations, whereas SEO is all about optimization for content.
Both of them deal with optimization and helping businesses build their online presence. However, there are various factors that impact a business’ rank in search results.
Organic SEO vs Local SEO
Now that you have a clear understanding of both types of SEO, we can move forward and highlight the major differences between local and organic SEO.
Organic VS. Local Audience
The first major difference is the type of audience for organic and local searches and their intent of performing a search.
Local traffic comprises of people who actively seek products and services that are available locally. These searches are likely to add information such as the name of the product/service, location, or business name. They would also just use ‘near me’ at the end of their search to get a variety of results rather than specifics.
Organic traffic, on the other hand, comprises of people who are seeking relevant information, such as answers to a question. They are performing searches with the purpose of finding answers. These people are usually looking for facts or some information that can help solve their issues. They might, however, willingly sign up for a newsletter or download a PDF file to get the information they need.
Local VS. Organic SERPs
Another distinguishing factor between the two types of search engine optimization is rankings and search results. For example, some of the searches on Google will provide a blend of both organic and local results. However, when it comes to local SEO, it will not provide similar results or rank positions as organic SEO.
Organic SEO is utilized by businesses to rank higher in Yahoo!, Bing, or Google’s global search results. These results contain home pages or any other page from a business website such as article/blog or informational guides.
Organic VS. Local Content
Content plays a key role in both organic and local search engine optimization, but the way they work is different.
Local SEO deals with content focused on location-based information. It can include a business’s physical location, state/region, postal or zip code, phone number, country, its product and services. Content that is highly-localized attracts a large number of local customers.
Organic SEO puts more focus on content that emphasizes on a group of keywords or families of topics that naturally appear in content related to a user’s search. For instance, if you own an HVAC company, your main goal will be to design your content about furnaces and air conditioning. However, you might also have to highlight other essential aspects, such as products, related parts, warranties, and much more.
Organic Links VS. Local Citations
To local, SEO citations serve the same purpose that backlinks serve for organic SEO. Both are basic elements of their respective strategies for SEO.
When your business gets mentioned anywhere online, these are local citations. They usually appear with your brand’s name, address, and number.
Citations can be found easily on review websites and various local business directories such as Google My Business, Yelp, etc. Such websites would also show your operating hours, parking availability, and other basic information.
Whereas, backlinks are when your website content includes links to authoritative websites. These create a blend of links to different web pages on your website. It can be done by using anchor text.
Closing World
Local and organic search engine optimization plays significant roles but serves a different purpose for businesses. Both SEO types are based on the concept of optimization in order to achieve a better search engine ranking. However, they work best when used correctly.
Organic SEO can be improved by focusing on your website’s content. Such as adding keywords that have higher search ranking, or links from other relevant websites. It helps to attract users who might be interested in solutions or information that your website provides.
Both local and organic SEO enables businesses to make their mark. A business should include organic and local SEO into its digital marketing strategy to enhance its visibility on both local as well as global levels. Moreover, your business will attract not only local customers but also global customers.