Search for any local service on Google, like "plumber near me" or "roofer in Troy," and you'll usually see a map near the top with a few businesses listed under it. That's the map pack. Those listings come from Google Business Profiles, not from websites, which is why your profile matters as much as your site.
What Google Considers for Map Pack Ranking
Google says local results are based mainly on three things (Google Business Profile Help, "Tips to improve your local ranking on Google"): relevance, how well your profile matches what was searched; distance, how far you are from the person searching; and prominence, how well-known your business is, which Google says includes how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have.
Distance you can't control. Relevance and prominence you can work on. Google also says there's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking.
The Map Pack Checklist for Contractors
Step 1: Complete your Google Business Profile. Verify it. Pick the category that's as specific as possible but still describes your main business, and use as few categories as it takes; that's from Google's own "Guidelines for representing your business on Google." Fill in every field that applies: services, service area, description, hours and photos of real jobs. Google says businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up.
Step 2: Get reviews steadily. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. Ask after every job with your direct review link, never offer anything in exchange, and reply to the reviews you get.
Step 3: Build a website that matches your profile. Same name, phone, services and service area, so a customer, and Google, sees one consistent business.
Step 4: Clean up your listings. Your business name, address (or service area) and phone number should match everywhere you're listed: your website, your profile, Yelp, Facebook, the BBB and trade directories. Fix any old listing with an old number.
The map pack isn't a mystery, and nobody honest can promise you a spot in it. It's a checklist, worked steadily.
