Local keyword research is the process of identifying the keywords that people use when searching for locations, products, or services in their area. It's a crucial aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) that helps businesses become more visible online by targeting content to attract organic traffic to their listings and websites.

Local keyword research is important because it:

• Informs businesses about which keywords to target in their content.
• Enhances the visibility of a business in search engine results, potentially attracting more organic traffic.
• Can lead to an increase in customers and sales, as shown by Kody Smith's success in growing his business to nearly $300,000 in annual revenue through strategic local SEO.

To perform local keyword research, follow these steps:

1. Create a spreadsheet to organize keywords.
2. Brainstorm seed keywords that are relevant to your business.
3. Find local keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner or Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool.
4. Use data to prioritize keywords by considering metrics such as monthly searches, CPC, keyword difficulty, relevance, and trends.

To optimize a Google Business Profile with local keywords:

• Include relevant keywords in your business description.
• Use descriptive file names with relevant keywords for your photo titles.
• Ensure your profile is accurately categorized.
• Post updates with relevant keywords.
• Encourage customers to leave reviews that may contain keywords, indirectly influencing your profile's visibility.

The main difference between general and local keyword research lies in the keyword structure and geographic focus:

• General keyword research targets broad terms used to describe businesses, products, or services on a national or global scale, like 'best coffee beans'.
• Local keyword research focuses on location-specific terms relevant to a specific geographic area, such as 'best coffee shop in Miami' or 'dentist near me'.