Why Your Competitor Shows Up Above You on Google Maps
Ever searched for your own service on Google Maps and wondered:
“Why is my competitor showing up above me?”
It doesn't necessarily mean they have a better business. Google uses several factors to determine which local businesses appear most prominently.
Here are some of the main reasons a competitor may appear above you.
1. Their Business Profile is more relevant
Google tries to show businesses that are most relevant to what someone searches for.
For example, if someone searches for “dentist Oslo”, Google needs to determine which businesses are relevant to that search.
Your business category, services, business information and website content can all help Google understand what your business offers.
Make sure your Business Profile clearly and accurately describes your actual services.
2. They are closer to the searcher
Distance is another major factor in local search.
Google considers how far each potential result is from the location used in the search.
This means rankings can change depending on where the person searching is located.
A competitor may appear above you simply because they are closer to the searcher.
3. Their business has stronger prominence
Google also considers how well-known or prominent a business is.
Google states that prominence can be influenced by factors such as information about the business across the web and the number of reviews and positive ratings it has.
This doesn't mean you need hundreds of reviews to compete.
But building a genuine reputation can help strengthen your business's overall presence.
4. Your competitors may have a clearer local presence
Sometimes the difference isn't one single factor.
A competitor may have:
A well-maintained Google Business Profile
Accurate business information
Relevant services and categories
A strong review profile
A website that clearly explains what they offer
Mentions of their business across the web
Google doesn't publish an exact formula for how these factors are weighted, so it's impossible to look at two businesses and know exactly why one ranks above the other.
What should you do?
Instead of simply trying to copy your competitor, look at your own Google presence objectively.
Ask:
Is Google clearly able to understand what my business does?
Is my Business Profile complete and accurate?
Are my services properly represented?
Are customers leaving genuine reviews?
Does my website clearly support the services and locations I want to be found for?
Improving these fundamentals can make your business more relevant and competitive in local search.
And remember: there is no single trick that guarantees a higher Google Maps ranking.
Local rankings depend on multiple factors, including relevance, distance and prominence.
Want to know why your business isn't ranking higher?
NorthPeak Solutions helps local businesses improve their Google Business Profile and local search visibility.
[Get in touch with NorthPeak Solutions →]
Information about Google's ranking systems can change over time. This article describes Google's publicly documented local-ranking factors and provides general information.