How can I get Google to interpret a generic local query as a category search and show the Local Pack?

Hi,

I have a problem in my niche in Germany where Google seems to interpret a generic local search as a search for one specific business.

For example, imagine there is a company called "TV Repair Las Vegas Ltd.". If someone searches for "TV repair Las Vegas", Google might show that specific company instead of treating the query as a generic search for TV repair services in Las Vegas and showing a Local Pack with multiple businesses.

This is basically the same issue I'm experiencing in my niche in Germany.

Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Is there anything you can do from an SEO or Google Business Profile perspective to influence Google to understand the query as a generic category/local search rather than a search for one specific business?

Or is this entirely up to Google's interpretation of the query?

Would be interested to hear if anyone has found a way around this.

Thanks
OldS

That's why keywords in the GBP name do matter. Even Google says, you shouldn't do that but It simply turns the generic search into a company search.

What you can do here is, build top citation likes yelp, bbb, angie or whatever big review platforms are available in your country. And have good commercial intent content on your website and optimize your GBP; fill every possible blank there. And get reviews. Google might show a local map pack when it sees there are a lot more competitors than that particular business.

Thunder Digitals said:

That's why keywords in the GBP name do matter. Even Google says, you shouldn't do that but It simply turns the generic search into a company search.

What you can do here is, build top citation likes yelp, bbb, angie or whatever big review platforms are available in your country. And have good commercial intent content on your website and optimize your GBP; fill every possible blank there. And get reviews. Google might show a local map pack when it sees there are a lot more competitors than that particular business.

Click to expand...

Hi Thunder Digitals, thanks for your reply. You might be right about the reviews, I need to work on that. I also need to boost my visibility on top citation platforms (I covered already most of them, but there should be potential to improve).

I had also thought about using targeted Reddit posts and article publications to signal to Google that my search term isn’t a company but rather a generic local query as a category. I’m not sure if strategically sharing this information will influence Google’s results, but I’ll give it a try anyway.

OldSeo said:

I had also thought about using targeted Reddit posts and article publications to signal to Google that my search term isn’t a company but rather a generic local query as a category. I’m not sure if strategically sharing this information will influence Google’s results, but I’ll give it a try anyway.

Click to expand...

Now reddit has much more influence than ever. It can help you get cited by LLMs. It can help you with reputation management. Also, it can definitely help you get shown as an authoritative business for your particular keyword.

While I have not specifically experienced this, I have heard this similar concern and the solution I provided helped fix the problem. I herewith, provide same solution. Hope it solves your issue.
1. There is a tools button below (or around) your search query. Hit that. Look for 'filters' and ensure it's set to 'all filters'
2. At the end of your query, add this '&num=10'. This will widen your search, pulling in top 10 other results for that search