How to Add A Local Parameter To Your Search

Patrick McFadden
2 min readApr 11, 2024

As a business owner, understanding your local search ranking on Google is crucial for attracting nearby customers and increasing your online visibility.

With so many consumers using search engines to find local products and services, optimizing for local search has become a key component of any successful SEO strategy.

In this article, we’ll explore one method to check your local ranking on Google, ensuring that your business stays competitive in your target market.

Add A Local Parameter To Your Search

Google offers a handy search parameter feature that allows you to explore local businesses in a specific area, even if you’re not physically there. To use this feature, simply add “&near=cityname” to the end of the search URL.

Let’s say you’re in Richmond, VA and you want to see how kitchen remodelers in Seattle compare to each other. Start by searching for “kitchen remodelers near me” on Google.

When the search results appear, take a look at the URL in your browser’s address bar. Scroll to the very end of the URL and add “&near=Seattle” (without the quotes).

Hit enter, and Google will show you the search results as if you were in Seattle. This way, you can quickly assess the local competition for kitchen remodelers in Seattle from the comfort of your home in Richmond, VA.

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Patrick McFadden

Small Business Marketing Consultant // CEO of @indispmarketing // I install a marketing process to increase visibility, grow revenue & make your phone ring