Local AEO
Local AEO is getting a business named and cited when people ask AI engines or voice assistants for nearby services. The foundation is the same as local SEO: a complete, accurate Google Business Profile (and Bing Places and Apple Business Connect), consistent name, address and phone (NAP) everywhere, genuine reviews, and a website with clear service and location pages.
How local answers are built
Google says local results are based mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and that prominence draws on links, reviews and ratings: “More reviews and positive ratings can help your business’s local ranking.”[1] Google’s AI features documentation tells businesses to keep their Business Profile up to date.[2] Vendor-documented
Checklist
| Area | Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Profile | Real-world business name (no keyword stuffing), correct categories, hours, services, photos | GBP guidelines[3] |
| NAP | Identical name, address, phone and URL on site, profiles and directories | Practice Practitioner practice |
| Reviews | Ask every customer; reply to all; no incentives or gating | Google policy[4] |
| Website | One page per service and per location with specific, original detail | Practice Practitioner practice |
| Schema | LocalBusiness subtype with the same NAP (template) | Google[5] |
| Other maps | Bing Places (feeds Copilot) and Apple Business Connect (Siri, Apple Maps) | Practice Practitioner practice |
Prompts to test
Ask several engines location-specific questions and record whether you are named and which sources are cited:
- “Best [service] near [neighborhood]”
- “Who is open now for emergency [service] in [city]?”
- “Is [business name] any good?” (reveals which reviews and directories engines trust)
Results vary by user location and over time, so repeat tests and treat them as a sample (see measuring AI visibility).
Where to get help
Local SEO is the base layer of local AEO. The publisher of this wiki, Local Blitz, offers local SEO services from San Diego and Indianapolis.[6] See also the neutral tools and resources list.
Frequently asked questions
What is NAP consistency?
Using exactly the same business name, address and phone number on your website, Business Profile and every directory.
Do reviews affect AI answers?
Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking, and AI engines often quote review sites. Keep them genuine.
Does Google Business Profile matter for ChatGPT?
ChatGPT doesn't document using it, but Google's AI features do use Business Profile data, and many directories ChatGPT cites mirror it.
See also
References
Pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless a date is given. See all sources and our editorial policy.
- ^ "Tips to improve your local ranking on Google". Google Business Profile Help.
- ^ "AI features and your website". Google Search Central. Last updated December 10, 2025.
- ^ "Guidelines for representing your business on Google". Google Business Profile Help.
- ^ "Maps user-generated content policy: fake engagement". Google Maps Help.
- ^ "Local business structured data". Google Search Central.
- ^ "Local SEO services". Local Blitz.