The 10 Most Ridiculous Myths About Google & Local SEO (That Somehow Won’t Die)

Tom Bates: 5-7-2025

Ah, Local SEO — the magical art of getting your business to show up in Google when someone nearby types in “best taco place near me” (which, if you’re not ranking for, why are you even selling tacos?).

But over the years, the world of local search has accumulated a pile of myths, legends, and outdated advice that would make even a flat-earther go, “Okay, that’s a stretch.”

Let’s bust the 10 biggest, silliest, and most persistent myths about Google & Local SEO, once and for all.

1. Just Stuff Your City Name Everywhere

Myth: If you want to rank locally, just type “Dallas” 87 times on your homepage.

Reality: Google’s smarter than that. Repeating “Plumber in Dallas” like it’s a Gregorian chant won’t help you. In fact, it might get you flagged for keyword stuffing. Use natural language, structured data, and well-placed location cues instead.

Think haiku, not broken fax machine.

2. Google My Business Is a Set-It-and-Forget-It Thing

Myth: You claimed your Google Business Profile in 2018, added a blurry photo, and called it a day.

Reality: GMB (now officially just Google Business Profile, but we’re still emotionally attached to GMB) thrives when it’s updated. Add fresh photos, posts, and respond to reviews regularly.

Your profile isn’t a time capsule. Treat it like a garden — water it!

3. The More Categories, The Better

Myth: Select every possible business category so you show up for more stuff!

Reality: This is the SEO equivalent of shouting “I do everything!” on a dating profile. Pick your primary category carefully, and only add additional ones that are truly relevant. Being a “Pizza Restaurant,” “Boat Dealer,” and “Funeral Home” doesn’t build trust.

4. You Have to Blog Weekly or Google Will Cry

Myth: Consistency means you MUST blog every Tuesday at 4:01 PM or your rankings die.

Reality: Quality > frequency. A great piece of content once a month (or quarter) beats half-hearted fluff weekly. Google doesn’t need your 300 words on “5 Spring HVAC Tips” if it’s just there to tick a box.

5. Reviews Don’t Really Matter

Myth: Meh, customers don’t read reviews. Google doesn’t care either.

Reality: Reviews = Local SEO rocket fuel. They affect rankings and conversions. Google even pulls keywords from reviews to influence what you rank for.

Pro tip: Ask for reviews the same way you’d ask your grandma for cookies — politely, sweetly, and repeatedly.

6. NAP Consistency Is Just a Nerdy Detail

Myth: Who cares if your name, address, and phone number are different on every directory?

Reality: Google very much cares. Inconsistent NAPs confuse search engines and hurt your authority. You wouldn’t want someone thinking your business is in three places at once unless you’re a ghost… or Starbucks.

7. You Don’t Need a Website If You Have a Google Profile

Myth: Google Business Profile is enough. Who needs a website?

Reality: Your GBP is the appetizer. Your website is the entrée. Without a site, you miss out on ranking opportunities, deeper content, and full control of your message.

8. Local SEO Is Just Regular SEO With a Map

Myth: If you rank for organic terms, you’re good locally too.

Reality: Nope. Local SEO factors include proximity, business profile signals, reviews, citations, and localized content. You need to optimize specifically for local intent.

It’s like regular SEO, but with more tacos and parking lots.

9. Paid Ads Improve Your Organic Rankings

Myth: Spend money on Google Ads and your local rankings magically rise too.

Reality: Nice try, conspiracy theorists. Google Ads and local organic rankings operate on different systems. Ads won’t hurt your SEO, but they won’t buy it a boost either.

You can’t bribe Google with money… but you can confuse them with poorly set-up campaigns.

10. SEO Is Dead, Long Live TikTok

Myth: Nobody Googles anymore. They just search on TikTok or Instagram!

Reality: Social platforms are growing as search tools, sure, but for service-based businesses and local intent (like “best dentist in Austin”), Google is still king.

Besides, no one wants to find their plumber based on a trending dance challenge.

Tom’s Final Thoughts: Local SEO Isn’t Witchcraft (But It Can Be Magical)

If you’re serious about local visibility, start by ignoring the myths and focusing on the stuff that actually works: accurate listings, good reviews, localized content, and a well-optimized Google Business Profile.

Keep it honest, keep it local, and please… stop keyword-stuffing your footers.