Geo-modified keywords are search terms that include the name of a location. The location could be a suburb, city, region, state or another geographical area.
Examples include “dentist Melbourne”, “SEO agency Richmond”, “plumber Glen Waverley” and “restaurants in Sydney”. In each case, the location tells Google that the searcher wants results connected to a particular area.
These keywords are commonly used by businesses that provide services in specific locations.
How Do Geo-Modified Keywords Work?
A geo-modified search gives Google an explicit location to work with. This is different from a search such as “dentist near me”, where Google needs to determine the searcher’s location.
The location included in the keyword does not necessarily have to match where the person is currently located. Someone in Melbourne, for example, could search for “restaurants Sydney” while planning a trip.
Businesses can target suitable geographical searches through location pages, service pages and other locally relevant website content. Google Business Profile information can also play a part in local search visibility.
Geo-Modified Keywords and SEO
Geo-modified keywords can help businesses reach people searching for a service or product within an area they actually serve.
Keyword research can show how people combine services with different location names. Some may search by city, while others use a suburb or broader region.
However, businesses do not need to create a page for every possible combination of a service and location. Pages should have a genuine purpose and enough useful information to justify their existence.
For local SEO, the most useful geo-modified keywords are generally those that match the business’s real services and service areas. They can then be tracked to see which locations generate impressions, clicks, enquiries and other useful activity from organic search.