Why do some businesses pop up on Google Maps while others stay buried? Local SEO is the answer, but how long does local SEO take to work for your local business to start showing up on local search results?

I’ll break down the average timeline, key factors, and I will provide you with actionable steps to speed things up so you can start outranking your local competitors much faster. Follow all the steps for the best results.

Local SEO can feel like a slow process, but it’s worth the wait if you can hit Google’s Local 3-Pack in search rankings. We’ll cover what affects the timeline, how to track progress, and common questions to keep you moving. Ready to become the top choice in your area? Here’s how.

Table of Contents

What is Local SEO, And Why Doesn’t it Work Instantly Like Other Strategies?

Local SEO gets your business noticed when people search for nearby services, like “butcher in Orlando” or “Jeweler near me.” Unlike broad SEO chasing terms like “best headphones,” it targets local customers ready to visit or call. Local SEO targets local searchers with high purchase intent.

A butcher Shop in Orlando's Local Rankings from Local SEO on Google Maps

You optimize your Google Business Profile, website, and directory listings to rank higher on Google Maps and Google Search results. The more effort you put into local SEO, the higher your local search rankings.

Why does it take time? Google needs to trust the online entity of your business, from your website, your GBP, to your local directory citations.

Entity Local SEO for a Butcher in Orlando used in am example to see how long does it take to rank on Google Maps

We’ve noticed consistent GBP update posts and with accurate NAP Data build that trust, but it’s not the only solution, local SEO works fast by doing multiple correct things together. The more combinational effort that is done correctly, the faster you’ll see results from local SEO.

For example, getting reviews consistently whilst posting GBP update posts and building map listing citations and local business directory listings in combination. This is a good local SEO basic strategy to start seeing good results come in fast and higher local search rankings.

Measuring GBP reviews to see how long local SEO takes to work

Also note, local SEO is a long term strategy, unlike paid ads, local SEO continues to stack over time even after you stop working on it. As long as your local competitors don’t invest work on it as much as you have…

Setting your facebook ads daily budget for plumbing businesses running ads

What Slows Down or Speeds Up Local SEO’s Ranking Effects in Searches?

Competition is a big factor in how long local SEO takes. A crowded market like “dentist in Miami” needs more time than “florist in a small town.” Your starting point also matters—if your GBP isn’t claimed or your website lacks local keywords, you’re playing catch-up.

Essentially, the more local competitors you have to outrank who are also working on local SEO, the more time, effort, and strategy you will have to invest in local SEO to outrank your local competitors.

GMB Analytics Dashboard showing stats going up

A clinic with 10 reviews takes longer to rank than one with 50. You have to be better than the business you are trying to outrank in local SEO. But simply having more website optimisation isn’t enough for your local SEO strategy in highly competitive areas and markets.

This means you’ll need more reviews, more business directory citations, more GBP update posts, better GBP and website optimisation, more high-quality photos and videos than the competitor Google Business Profiles you’re trying to outrank on Google Maps and Google Search.

A screenshot of the Google My Business Insights dashboard, highlighting the various metrics available

Average Time to See Local SEO Results

How long does local SEO take to work on average? We’ve seen at Vortex Ranker that most businesses notice results in 3–6 months, with big wins in 6–12 months. But some of our clients have seen results in only 1-3 months due to a low amount of local competition.

It starts with setup (claiming and optimising GBP, building citations) in 1–3 months, then traction (reviews, keywords) in 3–6 months. Over time, the combined effects of all our local SEO strategies start to stack.

For example, a laundromat targeting “laundromat near me” in Denver, profile views might jump in 3 months, but the map trio could take 6–9 months. Less competitive niches, like a rural mechanic, can rank high in local searches relatively fast (around 1–3 months) with low effort.

A screenshot of Google My Business photo views analytics highlighting the impact of high-quality images

In some extreme cases, I’ve personally seen a business operating in a very low completion rural area rank in the top 3 simply by adding lots of high quality images and videos to their Google Business Profile.

How to Get Local SEO to Work Faster

To speed up local SEO, after you have claimed your Google Business Profile and verified it. Fill out every detail. Your business name, address, phone, hours, socials, categories (like “Barber”), and services (like “haircuts”). This is called basic GBP local SEO optimisation.

Next, create a highly curicated about description for your GBP, include your target local keywords and key phrases. (Like “barber in Houston”). Then, make sure your website’s about page matches your GBP’s about description. Finally, embed your GBP onto your website.

Post regularly on your GBP to keep it active. Weekly updates, like specials or events, signal relevance. If you’re a barber, for example, showcase your work in the GBP updates section and add some photos to your GBP photo library (separate from your GBP updates).

How to Track Your Local SEO Progress

Monitoring your local SEO keeps you on track. Google Business Profile insights show profile views, searches, and calls—early spikes mean you’re gaining ground. Tools like Moz Local can track rankings for keywords like “roofer in Denver” and flag citation errors.

Another great way to gauge your current Google Maps rankings for local searches is to get a free ranking audit from us at Vortex Ranker. It’s also included in all our monthly packages, where you’ll get all your current rankings for your target local keywords.

Reviews are a key indicator, as they boost your prominence. A client we helped doubled their rankings after hitting 20 reviews in two months. Overall, your GBP analytics dashboard is your best indicator.

One major indicator that most businesses overlook is their revenue. Are more people walking into your business and purchasing? Are more leads calling you directly and booking your service?

Tracking local SEO progress with Google Business Profile dashboard of analytics and insights to track how well local SEO is working

Above is a screenshot from GBP (Google Business Profile) analytics dashboard to assess how well a local SEO strategy is working by meaning how many calls are being made to the business.

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Rankings

Certain mistakes can drag out your local SEO timeline. Like I mentioned already, Inconsistent NAP data on your business directory listings versus your GBP confuses Google and hurts your rank. Inconsistent reviews, poor GBP optimisation, and a general lack of content for your GBP.

If your prioritize consistency, like posting GBP updates and uploading quality images regularly. This makes your profile look more active in Google’s algorithm, which assesses each profile’s recent activity.

Overusing keywords, also known as “keyword stuffing” is very harmful to local rankings. Like using “barber in Orlando” everywhere, looks spammy and risks penalties. GBP’s with missing photos or missing business hours slows you down too.

A graphic showing the dangers of keyword stuffing, with a focus on maintaining readability and quality.

An example of keyword stuffing is shown in the image above. As you can see, the target keyword is used too many times in the text.

Another mistake a lot of businesses make is not even having any kind of local keyword strategy. One of the most basic steps in local SEO is getting a list of target keywords and using them consistently.

Targeting local keywords strategy when setting up a Google Ads campaign

Common Questions About Local SEO Timelines For Realistic Expectations

Q1: How long does local SEO take to work and see results?

A: It can take anywhere between 1-6 months to start seeing results from local SEO strategies. It depends on factors like the amount of your local competitors, how well optimised their GBP (Google business profile) is and your strategy, and how well you execute it.

Q2: How effective is local SEO for local businesses?

A: Quite effective, local businesses who focus on local SEO are able to more effectively target local searchers with a high likelihood to convert into paying customers. Most people use search to find local products and services around them, making local SEO an effective strategy.

Q3: Is local SEO a profitable strategy for small businesses?

A: Yes, local SEO can be very profitable for small or local businesses if done right. Local SEO is much cheaper than traditional SEO and works much faster. Instead of trying to outrank 100,000s of results on Google, you’re only competing with 60-120 local competitors.

Q4: What is the ROI of local SEO for small businesses?

A: Very high, local SEO only costs a fifth of what most businesses would spend on traditional SEO. And depending on your product or service, one month of local SEO services could easily get you 2-10 times back in sales from high-ticket clients.

Q5: Is it worth hiring a local SEO specialist?

A: Only if your target market is local, then local SEO should be a priority! If you sell products/services globally and your customer base is international, then you should focus on traditional SEO.

Q6: How much does local SEO cost?

A: Local SEO can set you back around $200 – $1000 a month depending on the expert or the agency and what they offer. The average prices for quality local SEO for a local business are around $250 – $400 a month.

Need Help With Your Local SEO?

If you still need help understanding local SEO or how to use it for your local business. Are you trying to rank your business higher? Then I highly recommend you book a free consultation with the writer of this article, Ramzy, CEO & Founder of Vortex Ranker, by clicking here.