What Is The Difference Between Local and Organic SEO

Local SEO focuses on improving a business’s visibility for location-based searches.

This isn’t just some “nice to have” feature if you run a brick-and-mortar spot; it’s basically survival mode for any business with a physical location.

For example, when users type in “pizza near me” or “best coffee shop in [city name],” local SEO works to ensure that businesses relevant to these geographical searches appear at the top of search results, often in the Google 3-Pack.

This type of SEO is particularly important for businesses that operate in a physical location, like restaurants, clinics, or retail stores.

So, managing your Google Business Profile is CRUCIAL! Let us repeat, it is CRUCIAL!

Key Elements of Local SEO

Google Business Profile (GBP)

One of the cornerstones of local SEO is optimizing the Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).

This right here is your virtual storefront. Optimizing this is like polishing your shop windows and throwing neon signs out front, but digitally.

This profile shows essential details about a business, including its name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and reviews. Google uses this information to help users find the most relevant businesses near them.

Make sure your primary and second categories are optimized. From our experience, business owners typically set this up once and completely forget about it.

Improve your Google Business Profile – Rank Higher <- click here

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews significantly impact your SEO. They’re not just there for people to read and decide if they like you—they directly impact your SEO.

Positive reviews build trust and influence potential customers' decisions. Additionally, search engines tend to favor businesses with high ratings and a large volume of reviews.

Learn how to get One Touch Google Reviews.

Local Citations

Citations are mentions of a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites, such as directories or review platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor.

It’s like spreading breadcrumbs across the web, letting Google know you’re legit.

Consistency in NAP information across all platforms is essential to boost SEO performance. If your info isn’t consistent, Google thinks you're trying to catfish people.

Spoiler: catfishing doesn’t help SEO.

Want us to handle your local citation (a.ka. local listing). Contact us here. 

Local Keywords

Incorporating location-specific keywords into your content helps businesses rank higher in local search queries.

For instance, a bakery in Austin, Texas, could target keywords like “best bakery in Austin” to attract more local traffic.

This helps Google know where you are and what you do, giving you a better shot at showing up in local searches.

Here is a tip, make sure that the services added to your website are listed on your Google Business Profile. Google correlates for consistency.

Mobile Optimization

Many local searches happen on mobile devices, making it crucial for businesses to ensure their websites are mobile-friendly.

Quick load times and responsive designs can enhance user experience, which is a ranking factor for local searches.

Nobody’s got the patience to wait for a slow, clunky site, and Google will slap you down the rankings for it.

In a nutshell, local SEO is like running a marathon where your neighborhood is the track. If you’re not optimized for location-based searches, you’re lagging behind, and your competition is eating your lunch.

Organic SEO - Broadening Your Reach

The organic version of SEO, on the other hand, focuses on improving visibility on search engines for broader, non-location-based queries.

It’s the strategy that makes your website rise up in search engine rankings, no matter where the search is coming from.

You’re not playing small ball here—you’re gunning for visibility across the internet like it’s a global stage. And if you’re running an online business or blog, this is your bread and butter.

This SEO type is essential for businesses looking to reach a wider audience, including online businesses, blogs, and service providers who operate in a broader market or have no physical storefront.

Key Elements of Organic SEO

Keyword Research

Organic SEO relies heavily on keyword research. Businesses need to find the most relevant keywords that users are typing into search engines related to their products or services.

The goal here is to find keywords that your audience is already searching for—relevant, high-volume, and low-competition are the holy trinity. Nail this, and you’re off to a good start.

Spoiler: Finding high volume and low competition is rare, so the best bet is to look for long-tail keywords that have low volume but easier to rank. This will help build authority in Google eyes.

Look into SEMrush, this is the tool we use to do keyword research and competitor analysis.

Want us to handle the entire keyword research process? Contact Us and let us know.

Content Optimization

If you think you can just stuff a page with keywords and call it a day, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Creating valuable, keyword-rich content is a central part of this type of SEO. This content could include blog posts, articles, how-to guides, case studies, or product descriptions that help answer user questions or provide relevant information.

The more useful the content, the higher it will rank on search engines. Look into SurferSEO.

Learn why Content is King.

Backlink Building

Another critical component of organic SEO is earning backlinks from other reputable websites.

When other reputable sites link to your content, it’s a huge signal to Google that your page is worth something.

These backlinks act as a vote of confidence for search engines, indicating that the content is valuable and worth ranking higher.

On-Page SEO

This is where you optimize the inner workings of your site. On-page optimization focuses on elements like page speed, meta tags, alt tags, and URL structure.

A well-optimized website helps search engines better understand its content, which can lead to improved rankings.

User Experience

Organic SEO also considers user experience (UX). Search engines like Google prioritize websites that provide an excellent user experience, including fast loading times, easy navigation, and mobile responsiveness.

Basically, you’ve gotta make it as easy as possible for people to find what they’re looking for on your site, or they’re going to bounce faster than you can say “page two of Google.”

Key Differences Between Local and Organic SEO

Target Audience

The first method is like throwing a spotlight on your business for people in your neighborhood. It’s all about hitting those who are ready to act now and are searching for something nearby, like “best tacos near me.”

Meanwhile, the other approach casts a wider net, targeting people who could be anywhere. They’re not focused on the physical proximity—they’re hunting for info, products, or services that aren’t tied to a specific spot.

That said, having a website with local intent will help Google further relate your business to that specific location. So do not shy away from “best tacos in [your city]”.

Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs)

In one strategy, you're aiming to get featured in local packs, those prime real estate slots you see on maps or in Google’s top three local recommendations.

Think of it as your business getting pinned on a digital map for people who are ready to visit.

The organic strategy is more about ranking individual pages in traditional search results. It’s the long game—ranking a blog post or product page based on relevance rather than location.

This strategy needs the help of backlinks. Learn Why Backlinks Are Still Important and Relevant.

Content Focus

For the location-centric method, content is hyper-focused on the geography—mentioning neighborhoods, streets, and local events.

You want people to feel like you’re part of their community. The broader approach, though, doesn’t care about where you are. It’s all about delivering valuable information or answers on broader topics.

Your content’s goal here is to address questions and provide solutions, no matter where the reader is from.

Ranking Factors

In the first case, it’s all about things like local reviews, how close your business is to the searcher, and whether your business details are consistent across the web.

Meanwhile, the second approach is all about keywords, backlinks, and how much time users spend on your site.

You’re playing the long game, trying to prove to search engines that you’ve got authority and relevance across the board.

Now, let us say, tackling both aspect at the same time is the best to achieve maximum results.

Want Alterior Digital handle your SEO, no prob, we are happy to, contact us here.

Conversion Goals

The location-based strategy is laser-focused on getting people into your store or calling you for services—basically, immediate action.

You want them to make a quick decision. On the flip side, the global game is about engagement.

You’re trying to keep visitors on your site, signing up for emails, reading content, or making purchases. It’s less about foot traffic and more about long-term relationships.

Why Both SEO Strategies Are Important

For most businesses, combining both local and organic SEO is crucial to maximizing online visibility.

A brick-and-mortar business can benefit from local SEO by attracting customers in its immediate area, while organic SEO can help establish authority and bring in traffic from outside the local community.

You need both, plain and simple. Here’s why both are beneficial:

• Local SEO ensures that people nearby can easily find your business, driving physical traffic to your storefront.
• Organic SEO extends your reach, attracting potential customers from a broader market and positioning your business as an expert in its industry.

When to Prioritize Local SEO

So, when should you go local-focused?

If your business operates in a specific geographic location or relies on foot traffic, local SEO should be your primary focus.

Restaurants, local services (e.g., plumbers, dentists), and retail stores benefit the most from local SEO strategies that target customers who are physically close to the business.

Additionally, local SEO is more critical when you want to compete within a specific region or city. you need to prioritize being the top pick when someone searches for your type of business nearby.

When to Prioritize Organic SEO

On the other hand, when should you start going global?

If your business operates online or serves a broader market, organic SEO should be prioritized.

E-commerce stores, bloggers, and online service providers can reach a larger, more diverse audience with this type of SEO.



Moreover, it builds long-term credibility and trust, as websites that rank organically tend to be perceived as more authoritative.

The goal? Get search engines to view your site as an expert in the game, wherever your audience might be.

Now You Know The Difference Between Local and Organic SEO

Let’s bring this home. At Alterior Digital, we’re all about creating smart, effective strategies that get your business noticed where it counts.

Whether you need to pull in local customers or expand your influence to a wider audience, we’ve got the expertise to craft a solution that works.

Our team specializes in building customized SEO Strategies that drive traffic, boost engagement, and help your brand grow.

Want us to help you improve your online visibility and Rank Higher On Google? <- Click there and let’s get started.