We often get asked why “near me” isn’t listed as a target keyword in our SEO strategy. The short answer: We are optimizing for “near me” searches — just not by using those words as keywords.

✅ We Are Optimizing for “Near Me” Behavior

As long as the client has a Google Business Profile (GBP) and we have access, we optimize all primary keywords for “near me” intent.

That means: every primary keyword is being optimized for local discovery, including “near me” searches — without needing to add “near me” as a separate term.

Why? Because:

• “Near me” is not a keyword to Google — it’s a proximity signal.

• When a user types “therapist near me” or “landscaping supply near me,” Google runs a local proximity search using the user’s physical location.

• Whether or not the phrase “near me” appears in content is irrelevant — what matters is local SEO strength and geographic relevance.

Google handles “near me” searches dynamically, based on the user’s real-time location and intent. That means rankings are personalized and constantly changing — not tied to exact keywords on a page.

To show up for those searches, we focus on local SEO signals that influence visibility in the map pack and local organic results, including:

• Optimized Google Business Profile (GBP)

• NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) across citations

• Local citations and directory listings

• Location-specific content (e.g., service area pages, geo blogs)
  Local schema markup

• Positive reviews and proximity-based relevance

These are the signals that actually help businesses rank when someone searches “____ near me.”

🎯 Why We Use Geo Modifiers Instead

We focus on geo-modified keywords (e.g., “therapist in New Haven,” “landscaping supply Saskatoon”) because they provide several important advantages:

1. Trackability in Our Dashboard
   "Near me" queries can't be reliably tracked because the results change based on user location and context. Geo-modified terms can be tracked, benchmarked, and reported.
   
   

2. Scalability Across Locations
   Geo modifiers allow us to target multiple cities or service areas within the same campaign — something “near me” doesn’t support.
   
   

3. Content Optimization
   We can naturally include geo terms in content, metadata, titles, and internal links. “Near me” doesn’t read well in most copy and isn't ideal for on-page SEO.
   
   

4. Clear Reporting
   Clients want to know how they rank for specific terms in specific markets. Geo-modified keywords give us that visibility — and allow us to show progress over time.
   
   

🔄 Bottom Line

We are optimizing for local search — including “near me” behavior — through strong local signals and strategic content.

But in order to track performance, show rankings in the dashboard, and target multiple geos, we use geo-modified keywords across all SEO packages.

This approach helps us deliver both measurable results and real-world visibility — in local organic search, map packs, and beyond.

📈 We’re still capturing ‘near me’ traffic — indirectly

By optimizing for local intent through geo-modifiers, GBP enhancements, local schema, and location pages, we’re still ranking for “near me” queries — even if we’re not targeting the phrase directly.

So, it’s not that we ignore “near me” — it’s that the best way to rank for it is by optimizing for geo-specific terms and strong local signals.