Ranking companies in local search based on their hours of operation and ‘openness’ is crucial, especially for category queries.
How does it work? It’s quite simple – companies currently open receive higher positions in local search compared to when they are closed.
Additionally, it’s essential to note that we are specifically referring to the open hours for category queries. Category queries involve user searches based on business or service categories, not brand names. For example, [toy store nearby] is a categorical query and [Kids World store nearby] is a branded query.
We recommend verifying your company’s hours of operation on maps and ensuring regular alignment with the organization’s online map listings. For instance, if your business operates 24 hours a day, make sure this information is accurately reflected on the maps. This ensures a competitive edge, especially against competitors who may close in the evenings in local search rankings.
As a reminder, there are over 200 search engine ranking factors, the algorithms change regularly, and the search engines themselves are frequently updated. Stay informed and keep up with these changes.
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