Local SEO & AI: How to Show Up Where It Counts

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TL;DR Summary

• You’re not invisible because you failed — you’re invisible because Google & AI can’t clearly “see” you yet.

• Local SEO + Google Business Profile are now foundational inputs to AI search visibility.

• Results start with a diagnosis: audit the site, fix structure, optimize GBP, build citations, and gather reviews.

• Case study (Geo Booth/MajorSage): from zero traffic to ranking in the local pack and generating steady leads.

• First step: Get a TOPA (Total Online Presence Audit) to see what to fix and in what order.

The Problem: “We’ve Done Everything… and We’re Still Not Showing Up”

Many local businesses arrive at StoryWorks feeling stuck: “We’ve done what we know — but we’re not ranking on Google, not showing up on Maps, and we’re out of ideas.” They’ve second-guessed themselves into exhaustion.

Reality: It’s not effort that’s missing — it’s alignment. Google (and now AI) can’t confidently identify who you are, what you do, where you do it, and why you’re credible.

Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever (and AI Just Raised the Stakes)

When your ideal customer searches, top 3 map results get the first look — and most of the clicks. If you’re not there, they’ll likely never see you.

Two big reasons this matters now:

1. Local credibility & leads: The map pack signals trust to buyers (“If they’re at the top, they must be solid”).

2. AI search inputs: AI systems synthesize info from your Google Business Profile (GBP), your site, citations, and reviews to decide who to mention. No presence = no mentions.

“Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence.” — Google Business Profile Help
(External resource: Google’s official guidance on local rankings)

The StoryBrand Shift: Clarity Before Tactics

In Donald Miller’s words: “If you confuse, you lose.”
Here at StoryWorks before we write a single title tag, we clarify the message:

• Who’s the customer?

• What problem do they want solved?

• What success looks like?

  Clear positioning turns your website and GBP into consistent, reinforcing signals.

“When I audit a site, the first question is: can a first-time visitor know in 3 seconds who you are, what you do, and how to start?” — Tim Yates, StoryBrand Guide & SEO Expert

Our Core Process: From Invisible to Visible

Step 1 — Diagnose the Website

• Technical health, indexability, internal linking, local intent signals, structured data.

• Keyword profile vs. actual demand in your service area.

• Fix crawling/index issues and align pages to location + service intent.

Step 2 — Optimize Google Business Profile (GBP)

• Correct primary/secondary categories, service areas, business hours, products/services, photos, and consistent CTAs.

• Ongoing GBP Posts mapped to priority keywords.

Step 3 — Citations & NAP Consistency

• Build/clean up listings on high-trust directories; lock down Name-Address-Phone (NAP) consistency.

• Use reputable data aggregators to propagate and maintain accuracy.

Step 4 — Reviews & Reputation Signals

• Implement a simple review ask from every satisfied customer.

• Respond publicly; reference services/locations naturally (no stuffing).

Step 5 — Content That Proves Relevance

• Service pages and local landing pages that clearly state who/what/where.

• Add schema (LocalBusiness, FAQ), and publish helpful, locally-relevant content.

External references for best practice:

• Google Business Profile Help (ranking factors)

• Google Search Central (technical SEO guidelines)

• Moz or BrightLocal (citations, reviews, local ranking studies)

Case Study: Geo Booth (MajorSage) — From Zero Traffic to Local Pack Wins

Situation: Geo Booth, a Business Made Simple coach (Charlotte metro), had a site live ~18 months with near-zero organic traffic and no local presence.

Action: [Company] cleaned up website SEO, launched/optimized GBP, conducted a citation campaign, and aligned messaging with demand keywords in Rock Hill, SC and surrounding areas.

Result: Within weeks, Geo began appearing in target map pack searches (“business coach Rock Hill”), earning steady traffic and inbound leads.

“We went from invisible to visible. I started getting found locally — and the right people are reaching out.” — Geo Booth

AI Search Is Changing How Customers Find You

AI engines (e.g., ChatGPT-style answers, Gemini, Perplexity) aggregate signals: your GBP, site content, citations, and reviews. Where classic SEO focused on backlinks alone, AI evaluates a broader “entity footprint.”

Implications for you:

• No GBP = low AI visibility.

• NAP consistency + citations strengthen your business entity in AI systems.

• Review volume and freshness reinforce credibility.

• Schema markup makes your content easier for AI to parse and attribute.

“Think of every mention, listing, review, and page as a ‘signal.’ The more consistent and active your signals, the more likely you are to be included in AI answers.” — Tim Yates, StoryBrand Guide and SEO Expert

Trust & Transparency: What to Expect From a TOPA

A Total Online Presence Audit (TOPA) is your fastest path to clarity. It tells you what’s broken, what to fix first, and what to build next.

Deliverables include: technical site audit, keyword & intent analysis, GBP review, citation report, review/reputation plan, and a prioritized 90-day roadmap.

“We apply TOPA cost to your broader growth plan if you move forward — so your audit becomes the first step of execution.” — The StoryWorks Team

👍 Recommended Next Step

Get a TOPA for your business → StoryWorks.marketing/TOPA

Calls to Action

• Schedule a Free Discovery Call - Let's talk about your biggest marketing struggle.

• Book a Free Marketing Checkup → StoryWorks.Marketing/Free-Marketing-Checkup

• Get a TOPA for Your Business → StoryWorks.marketing/TOPA

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