Glossary

Local SEO Glossary

Practitioner definitions for local SEO concepts, metrics, and terminology.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Get Cited by AI

Answer Engine Optimization structures content for AI extraction. Learn how to appear as a cited source in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI Overviews.

AI Overview: Google's AI-Generated Search Answers

Google AI Overviews synthesize answers from multiple sources above search results. Learn how local businesses can appear as cited sources.

ARP (Average Rank Position): Geogrid Metric Explained

Learn what ARP means in local SEO geogrid analysis. Understand how Average Rank Position measures map pack performance across your service area.

ATRP (Average True Rank Position): Better Than ARP

ATRP improves on ARP by penalizing ranking invisibility. Learn how Average True Rank Position reveals dead zones in your local search coverage.

Citation: Local Business Mentions That Build Rankings

A citation is any online mention of your business NAP. Learn about citation tiers, consistency, and how citations power both SEO and AI visibility.

E-E-A-T for Local SEO: Building Business Credibility

E-E-A-T signals establish your business as a credible local provider. Learn how Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust affect local rankings.

Falcon Guard: Automated GBP Change Monitoring

Falcon Guard alerts you when your Google Business Profile changes. Learn how automated monitoring catches unauthorized edits before they damage rankings.

GBP (Google Business Profile): Your Local SEO Foundation

Google Business Profile controls how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. Learn why GBP is the most important local SEO asset.

Geogrid: Map Your Local Search Rankings Geographically

A geogrid reveals how your business ranks across your entire service area. Learn how geographic rank tracking exposes proximity patterns and dead zones.

LLM Visibility: Getting Found in AI-Generated Answers

LLM visibility measures how often AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity mention your business. Learn what drives visibility in AI responses.

LSA (Local Services Ads): Google's Pay-Per-Lead Platform

Local Services Ads appear above the map pack with Google Guaranteed badges. Learn how LSA works, ranking factors, and which businesses qualify.

Map Pack (Local 3-Pack): The Prime Local Search Real Estate

The map pack displays 3 local businesses prominently in Google results. Learn ranking factors, click behavior, and how to win top 3 visibility.

MCP (Model Context Protocol): How AI Connects to Tools

MCP is the open standard enabling Claude to access live local SEO data. Learn how Model Context Protocol powers the LocalSEOSkills tool layer.

NAP Consistency: Why Identical Business Info Matters

NAP consistency means your Name, Address, and Phone match exactly across all directories. Learn why inconsistent NAP hurts rankings and AI visibility.

Prominence: The Local Ranking Factor You Can Build

Prominence measures how well-known your business is online. Learn how reviews, citations, and authority signals build prominence that sustains rankings.

Proximity: The Local Ranking Factor You Can't Change

Proximity measures distance between searcher and business. Learn why it's the hardest ranking factor to optimize and what you can do about it.

RAG: Why Citations Matter for AI Answers

RAG enables AI to retrieve current information when answering. Learn why consistent citations directly affect what ChatGPT says about your business.

Relevance: Matching Your Business to Search Intent

Relevance measures how well your listing matches search queries. Learn how GBP categories, services, and content drive relevance signals.

SAB (Service Area Business): Local SEO Without a Storefront

Service area businesses face unique local SEO challenges. Learn how to optimize GBP for businesses that travel to customers instead of receiving them.

Search Everywhere Optimization: Beyond Google

Search everywhere optimization ensures visibility across all platforms where customers search. Learn how to prioritize Google, AI, social, and maps.

Semantic Saturation: Complete Topic Coverage in Local SEO

The state where your coverage of a concept is comprehensive enough that Google and AI systems recognize you as the authority. The practitioner term for owning a topic completely.

SoLV (Share of Local Voice): The Revenue-Connected Metric

SoLV measures what percentage of your market sees you in the top 3. Learn why Share of Local Voice correlates directly with local business leads.

Zero-Click Search: Converting on the SERP

Zero-click searches satisfy users without website visits. Learn why zero-click is an opportunity for local businesses, not a threat.