# **Why Local SEO Audits Matter**

Ranking in local search results depends on dozens of signals — your Google Business Profile (GBP) completeness, on-site technical health, local citations, and more. Instead of guessing what's missing, Search Atlas gives you the tools to pinpoint exactly where to focus your effort.

This article walks you through the key areas to audit and the actions you can take directly inside the platform.

# **Step 1: Set Up and Review Your GBP Project**

Your Google Business Profile is the foundation of local SEO. Start here:

1. Navigate to the **Local** section from the left sidebar and open **GBP Projects**.
2. If you have not linked your profile yet, connect your GBP account using the option provided in that section.
3. Open your project and review the dashboard for any outstanding optimisation tasks. These typically include items such as missing business categories, incomplete hours, absent photos, and unanswered reviews.
4. Work through every pending task to improve your ranking potential.

# **Step 2: Check Your Local SEO Heatmaps**

Heatmaps show you how visible your business is across a geographic grid — so you can see exactly which areas you rank well in and where you are losing ground to competitors.

1. Navigate to the **Local** section from the left sidebar and open **Local SEO Heatmaps**.
2. Set up or import your heatmap data using the options available in that section.
3. Analyse the grid. Low-score cells indicate locations where your business is not ranking in the local pack.
4. Save a baseline snapshot so you can track improvement over time.

Use heatmap results to prioritise which keywords and service areas need the most attention in your content and GBP optimisation.

# **Step 3: Manage and Generate Reviews**

Review quantity, recency, and response rate are confirmed local ranking factors. Use the Reviews tools to stay on top of this signal:

1. Navigate to the **Local** section from the left sidebar and open the **Overview** area, then locate the Reviews view.
2. Use the available tools in that section to collect new reviews from customers — for example, shareable links or codes you can send or print.
3. Export your review list if needed for reporting or analysis.
4. Respond to any unanswered reviews directly from this view.

# **Step 4: Review Profile Suggestions and About Section**

Search Atlas analyses your GBP data and surfaces specific improvement suggestions to help you improve your completeness score:

1. Navigate to the **Local** section from the left sidebar and open the **Overview** area.
2. Review any AI-generated or platform-generated recommendations shown for your profile.
3. Act on each suggestion — common improvements include updating your business description, adding service areas, and completing your About section.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.