But behind the scenes, Google is quietly measuring three forces that decide who rises…and who gets pushed aside.
Relevance
When someone searches, Google wants to match them with the exact type of business they need.
If your profile looks complete, clear, and up-to-date, Google sees you as a perfect match.
✦ Make sure your profile information is filled out properly.
✦ Use the right categories so Google knows what you do.
✦ Keep a full list of your services.
✦ Write a simple description that includes local wording people naturally search for.
Small tweaks here make a huge difference in how Google understands your business.
Distance
Google cares about location—more than most people realise.
It looks at how close the searcher is to your address, and how wide your service area really is.
✦ Check that your address is accurate.
✦ Add the areas you serve, especially the nearby suburbs or parts of town you cover.
The clearer you are, the easier it is for Google to place you in the right spot.
Even tiny adjustments in your service area can shift who sees you.
Prominence
This is where trust comes in.
Google wants to highlight businesses that look active, credible, and real.
And it scans more than you might think.
✦ It notices fresh reviews.
✦ It checks your website’s quality.
✦ It looks for your business across the web.
✦ It pays attention to what’s happening on your social pages.
✦ It even watches how often you add photos or updates.
The more active and trustworthy you appear, the stronger your position becomes.
The Key Insight
When your business is highly relevant, easy to find, and trusted, Google pushes you forward—sometimes even past older competitors.
These three forces work together, and when you strengthen all of them, ranking higher becomes much easier.
