Google Business Profile Competitor Intelligence: The Complete Guide for 2026

PART 1 — Introduction & Foundations

Why This Guide Matters in 2026

Google Business Profile (GBP) continues to evolve at a rapid pace. By 2026, local search results are more competitive, more personalized, and more influenced by behavioral signals than ever before. Businesses that rely only on optimizing their own listings are falling behind. The true leaders are those who understand — deeply — what their competitors are doing.

Competitor intelligence is the new cornerstone of local SEO. Instead of optimizing blindly, you benchmark every improvement against what is already proven to rank. In this guide, we uncover the competitive landscape and show how to decode, replicate, and surpass the strategies of high-performing competitors.

The Shift from Optimization to Outperformance

Traditional GBP optimization focuses on:

• Adding the right categories
• Garnering reviews
• Uploading photos
• Writing posts
• Ensuring NAP consistency

While these remain important, they are no longer enough. Google’s local search algorithms now evaluate:

• Review sentiment themes
• User engagement behaviors
• Media freshness
• AI-generated summaries
• Local authority scoring
• Service-level relevance signals
• Competitor performance metrics

In short: Google compares you to competitors across dozens of dimensions. To outperform, you must know precisely where you stand — and where you can win.

What You Will Learn in This Guide

Part by part, we will walk through every layer of competitor intelligence, including:

• How to analyze competitor categories and attributes
• How to reverse-engineer review sentiment advantages
• How to assess competitor posting strategies
• How to evaluate photo and media advantages
• How to read ranking grid patterns and interpret distance decay
• How to map competitive Local Authority Scores (LAS)
• How to build a complete competitor intelligence dashboard
• How to execute a 90-day plan to surpass competitors

Each part includes:

• Workflows
• Example visuals (described)
• Case studies
• Practical recommendations
• Tools you can use right now

 

PART 2 — The 2026 Local Search Landscape (Expanded Overview)

How Google Ranks Local Businesses in 2026

Google’s local ranking algorithm (known unofficially as the “Local Experience Algorithm”) now weighs three categories:

1. Relevance — How well your business matches user intent.
2. Prominence — The authority, trust, and credibility of your listing.
3. Engagement — How users interact with your listing compared to competitors.

A competitor outperforming you in any of these pillars becomes a threat.

The Rise of Behavioral Ranking Signals

Starting in 2024 and expanded aggressively in 2025–2026, Google places major emphasis on actions like:

• Clicks
• Scroll depth
• Tap-to-call rate
• Photo interaction (zooming, swiping)
• Review-reading behavior
• Direction requests
• AI follow-up prompt engagement

These are known as micro-conversions, and competitors who generate more of them gain ranking advantages.

Example Visualization (Described): Competitor Behavioral Engagement Chart

A comparative line graph showing 3 competitors + your business:

• Competitor A: High direction requests surge on weekends
• Competitor B: High website click-through rates
• Competitor C: Strong tap-to-call performance
• You: Flat engagement across all metrics

Insights from this:

• Competitor A is optimized for weekend service queries
• Competitor B is winning because its landing page matches user intent
• Competitor C is dominating phone-based conversions

This tells you where to improve your targeting and listing enhancements.

PART 3 — Competitor Intelligence Framework Overview

Before diving deeper, this part explains the framework that will organize the rest of the guide.

The 7-Pillar Competitor Intelligence Framework

This system helps you audit any competitor comprehensively:

1. Category Intelligence — What categories and subcategories do they use?
2. Attribute Intelligence — What features/attributes does their listing highlight?
3. Review Intelligence — What themes, velocity, and sentiment trends shape their ranking?
4. Photo & Visual Intelligence — What media mix and volume drives engagement?
5. Posts & Content Intelligence — How effective is their posting strategy?
6. Behavioral Intelligence — How do users interact differently with competitor listings?
7. Local Authority Intelligence — What authority signals push competitors forward?

 

This reflects the reality of 2026 local SEO: competitor intelligence must be ongoing, not a one-time task.

PART 4 — Understanding Your Real Competitors

Your Competitors Are Not Always Who You Think

In local SEO, your real competitors are:

• Businesses outranking you in the map pack
• Businesses ranking within a 3–7 mile grid radius
• Businesses appearing in the “People Also Search For” section
• Businesses featured in Google AI summaries
• Businesses winning the majority of direction requests

They may not be:

• The brand you consider your direct competitor commercially
• The business that shares your same services offline

Competitor Types

1. Primary Competitors — Appear in the same service category.
2. Secondary Competitors — Rank for overlapping secondary categories.
3. Aspirational Competitors — Market leaders performing exceptionally well.
4. Local Disruptors — New businesses gaining fast ranking traction.
5. Behavioral Competitors — Listings with unusually high user engagement.

 

PART 5 — Category & Attribute Intelligence

Categories and attributes remain two of the most powerful ranking levers inside Google Business Profile in 2026. Competitors who optimize these correctly often dominate map packs even with weaker websites, fewer backlinks, or lower brand recognition.

This part delivers a detailed, tactical, and visually supported deep-dive into analyzing — and outperforming — competitors in category and attribute optimization.

SECTION 1 — Why Categories Matter More Than Ever in 2026

Google continues refining its category-to-query matching system with AI. In 2026, your GBP categories influence:

• Which search results you appear for
• How Google interprets your services
• The review topics Google highlights
• Your AI-generated business summaries
• Which attributes you gain access to
• Which competitors Google groups you with

This means your competitors’ categories directly affect your visibility.

SECTION 2 — Category Intelligence Workflow (2026 Edition)

Below is a step-by-step process for conducting a complete category intelligence audit.

Step 1 — Identify Top Competitors for Each Core Service

Create a list of your top-ranking competitors for your primary keywords and service-based variations.

Step 2 — Extract Competitors’ Primary Categories

This determines how Google classifies their business.

Step 3 — Extract All Secondary Categories

Analyzing category stacks often reveals:

• Overlooked niche categories with high value
• Newly released categories competitors are early adopters of
• Category combinations that achieve stronger rankings

Step 4 — Identify Category Frequency Patterns

Some industries have clear category clusters. Your competitors reveal what Google expects.

Step 5 — Compare Categories Against Your Listing

The gaps become immediate ranking opportunities.

SECTION 3 — Categories

Primary Category | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C | You | Status

—————————————————————————————–

Dentist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Aligned

Cosmetic Dentist | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Missing

Emergency Dentist | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Opportunity

Pediatric Dentist | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Consider

30-Day Category Optimization Plan

Description: A 4-week timeline showing tasks.

Week 1 — Competitor Analysis

Week 2 — Category Testing A/B

Week 3 — Attribute Expansion

Week 4 — Monitoring & Adjustments

SECTION 4 — Attributes Intelligence: The Hidden Competitive Advantage

Attributes have become essential for:

• Enhancing relevance
• Matching intent-based queries
• Enabling eligibility for AI summary highlights
• Enhancing conversion rates

Attributes now fall into:

• Logistical attributes — delivery, pickup, parking
• Operational attributes — wheelchair access, appointment required
• Service attributes — offerings, specialties, certifications
• AI-era attributes (2025–2026) — sustainability features, AI-enhanced service capabilities, digital-first service options

 

SECTION 5 — Attribute Intelligence Workflow

1. Collect Competitor Attributes

Use scraping tools or manual extraction.

2. Categorize Attributes by Type

Group into service-based, facilities-based, operational, etc.

3. Identify Attribute Adoption Patterns

High-frequency attributes reveal what Google — and customers — prioritize.

4. Map Attribute Gaps

Any attribute used by ranking competitors but missing from your listing is a signal to update your profile.

5. Prioritize High-Value, High-Frequency Attributes

Start with attributes in your industry that:

• Improve relevance
• Improve conversion
• Improve visibility

 

SECTION 6 — Attribute Opportunity Radar Chart

A radar/spider chart showing:

• Competitor A strong in services
• Competitor B strong in accessibility
• Competitor C strong in amenities
• You lagging in 4 of 6 attribute categories

 

Attribute | A | B | C | You | Status

——————————————————–

Wheelchair Accessible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Add

Online Appointments | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | OK

AI-Assisted Diagnostic Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High-Priority

24/7 Support | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Optional

Sustainability Certified | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Growth Area

SECTION 7 — Strategic Recommendations for 2026

1. Adopt Emerging Industry-Specific Categories First

Being an early adopter gives temporary ranking boosts.

2. Add Secondary Categories Based on Competitor Frequency

If 70% of competitors use a category, you should strongly consider adding it.

3. Prioritize High-Impact Attributes From Your Gap Analysis

Attributes that competitors use AND customers filter for produce significant visibility gains.

4. Test Category Changes Carefully

Changing primary category can:

• Boost rankings
• Or temporarily disrupt them

5. Use Competitor Attributes to Guide Service Expansion

Competitors often reveal new offerings customers respond to.

SECTION 8 — Category & Attribute Optimization Gantt Chart (Extended)

Description: A 60-day timeline broken into phases.

PHASE 1 — Data Collection (Days 1–7)

PHASE 2 — Analysis & Gap Detection (Days 8–15)

PHASE 3 — Testing New Categories (Days 16–30)

PHASE 4 — Attribute Expansion (Days 31–45)

PHASE 5 — Monitoring & Behavior Tracking (Days 46–60)

PART 6 — Review Intelligence

Review intelligence is the single most influential competitive signal in Google Business Profile rankings in 2026. Reviews shape not only prominence but also engagement signals, AI-generated summaries, and intent-based ranking adjustments. This section dives deep into decoding your competitors’ review strengths — and turning their weaknesses into your ranking advantages.

SECTION 1 — Why Review Intelligence Dominates Rankings in 2026

Google’s review algorithm is now significantly more sophisticated. Beyond average star ratings, Google evaluates:

• Sentiment themes (the emotional value of reviews)
• Keyword density and topical relevance
• Review velocity and growth trajectory
• Reviewer authority levels
• AI-assisted review quality detection
• Competitor comparison scoring (new in 2025)

This means a competitor with a lower average rating can outrank you if:

• Their reviews contain highly relevant keywords
• Their review growth rate is higher
• Their sentiment structure aligns better with search intent

 

SECTION 2 — Review Intelligence Workflow (2026 Edition)

Step 1 — Extract Reviews From Top Competitors

Gather:

• Recent reviews (last 90–180 days)
• Lifetime reviews
• Review highlights (Google’s AI summary chips)

Step 2 — Identify Sentiment Themes

Use sentiment analysis to categorize competitor reviews into themes such as:

• Pricing
• Speed
• Friendliness
• Quality
• Accuracy
• Customer service
• Technology
• Cleanliness
• Reliability

Step 3 — Analyze Review Velocity

Calculate review velocity for each competitor:

• 30-day review growth
• 90-day review growth
• Year-over-year review volume

Step 4 — Identify Keyword Opportunities

Competitor reviews often contain the very keywords Google ranks them for.

Step 5 — Compare Response Behaviors

Review response rate is now a ranking factor.

SECTION 3 — Review Velocity Comparison Chart

• Competitor A: Consistent 20–30 reviews/month
• Competitor B: Sharp spike (seasonal promotion)
• Competitor C: Low but steady growth
• You: Plateaued for 3 months

 

Theme | A | B | C | You | Notes

———————————————-

Friendliness | High | Medium | High | Medium | Match competitor A

Speed | Medium | High | Low | Low | Opportunity

Technology | Low | Medium | High | Low | Gap

Price | High | Low | Medium | Medium | Consider messaging

Cleanliness | High | Medium | High | Medium | Improve review asks

Keyword Frequency Cloud (Text-Based)

Competitor A: “fast”, “clean”, “friendly”, “new equipment”, “quick appointment”.

Competitor B: “affordable”, “helpful staff”, “easy booking”, “professional”.

Competitor C: “advanced tech”, “modern”, “precise”, “same-day service”.

This reveals which keywords you need in your future reviews.

SECTION 4 — How Google Uses Reviews in 2026

1. AI Summary Chips

Google now auto-generates “Review Highlights” that appear top-of-profile. Your competitors’ strong themes may dominate these chips.

2. Intent Matching via Sentiment AI

Search for “best fast plumber” → businesses with “fast” in review sentiment get boosted.

3. Review Relevance Scoring

Google evaluates whether:

• Reviews mention your top categories
• Reviews align with your attributes
• Reviews describe popular services

4. Profile Trust Index (PTI)

A hidden scoring system combining:

• Review authenticity
• Review growth
• Reviewer diversity
• Category alignment
• Engagement behavior

 

SECTION 5 — Review Intelligence

Days 1–7 — Competitor Review Collection

Days 8–14 — Sentiment Theme Analysis

Days 15–21 — Keyword Extraction & Gap Mapping

Days 22–30 — Review Template Deployment

Days 31–45 — Review Velocity Optimization

Days 46–60 — Monitoring & Sentiment Shifts

SECTION 6 — Strategic Recommendations for 2026

1. Build Review Velocity That Beats Competitors

If your competitor gets 20 reviews/month, aim for 25–30. Velocity is a ranking superpower.

2. Engineer Reviews That Contain Target Keywords

Suggestions during follow-ups should ethically encourage:

• Service-specific phrases
• Experience-related details
• Differentiators

3. Respond to Every Review Within 24 Hours

This boosts:

• Engagement metrics
• Trust signals
• AI-generated perception

4. Target Weak Sentiment Themes From Competitors

If competitors struggle with “speed,” position yourself as the faster alternative.

5. Run Competitor Weakness Exploitation Campaigns

Use wording like:

• “Quick turnaround time”
• “Uses advanced technology”
• “Friendly and welcoming team”

These reinforce areas where competitors are weak.

PART 7 — Photo, Video & Visual Media Intelligence

Visual media is now one of the strongest behavioral ranking factors in the GBP ecosystem. In 2026, Google leverages AI-powered visual recognition to evaluate photos and videos for relevance, aesthetics, quality, subject matter accuracy, and user engagement patterns. Competitors who consistently outperform in visual media earn superior map pack visibility and higher tap‑to‑engage rates.

This section covers how to reverse‑engineer competitors’ photo strategies and build a stronger visual dominance framework.

SECTION 1 — Why Visual Intelligence Matters in 2026

By 2026, Google evaluates visual media using:

• AI Image Quality Scoring (AIQS)
• Visual Topic Detection (equipment, staff, customer interactions, before/after)
• Geo-Verification (matching photos to real-world locations)
• Behavioral Interaction Scoring (swipes, zooms, long-view time)
• Relevance to High-Intent Searches

Competitors gain ranking advantages by:

• Publishing fresh media frequently
• Offering diverse photo subject categories
• Uploading high-quality photos with proper framing and lighting
• Producing short-form videos (now heavily weighted in 2026)

 

SECTION 2 — Photo Intelligence Workflow (2026 Edition)

Step 1 — Extract Competitor Media Libraries

Collect:

• Photo count
• Date of upload (freshness)
• Photo categories detected by Google
• Customer-uploaded vs business-uploaded ratios

Step 2 — Analyze Media Mix Diversity

Google rewards listings with diverse photo types:

• Exterior shots
• Interior shots
• Team photos
• Product photos
• Workspace/equipment photos
• Before/after documentation
• Customer interaction photos
• Short-form videos (5–20 seconds)

Step 3 — Evaluate Media Quality

Competitors often dominate with:

• Higher resolution
• Better lighting
• Proper framing
• On-brand colors
• Professional composition

Step 4 — Track Upload Frequency

Freshness is a ranking factor. Top competitors often upload:

• 5–20 photos weekly
• 1–2 videos weekly

Step 5 — Measure Engagement Signals

Use tools to approximate:

• Image zoom/swipe events
• Time spent viewing media
• Photo-driven calls or direction requests

 

SECTION 3 — Competitor Photo Volume Comparison Chart

• Competitor A: 720 photos
• Competitor B: 430 photos
• Competitor C: 289 photos
• You: 112 photos

 

Visual 3: Monthly Upload

Week 1 — Photo Upload Sprint

Week 2 — Video Production

Week 3 — Staff & Culture Media

Week 4 — Equipment/Workspace

This shows the ideal content cadence for GBP dominance.

Visual 4: AI Image Quality Score Scatter Plot

Points represent images; competitors cluster in the 85–95 score range, while your images sit around 62–74. This highlights the need for higher quality production.

SECTION 4 — How Google Evaluates Media in 2026

1. AI-Powered Topic Recognition

Google identifies:

• Service types
• Equipment
• Store layout
• Staff interaction
• Safety procedures
• Cleanliness standards

2. Ranking Boost From Photo Behavior Signals

Engaged users → positive signal → higher rankings.

3. Customer-Uploaded Photos Carry Extra Weight

Competitors with more customer media often:

• Show higher trustworthiness
• Earn more engagement
• Receive better visibility in AI summaries

 

SECTION 5 — Video Intelligence (Major 2026 Update)

Google heavily boosts:

• Short educational clips
• Behind-the-scenes reels
• Customer testimonial videos
• Product demonstration videos
• Quick “what to expect” clips

Competitor videos often outperform because they:

• Increase conversion rates
• Boost dwell time
• Improve trust signals
• Appear in AI summaries

Video Ranking Factors Include:

• Framing stability
• Lighting quality
• Caption optimization
• Audio clarity

 

SECTION 6 — Photo Intelligence Heat Map

Photo Type | A | B | C | You | Priority Fix

—————————————————

Exterior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Interior | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Staff | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Medium

Customer Actions | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High

Equipment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | OK

Video Content | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High

SECTION 7 — Strategic Recommendations for 2026

1. Match Competitor Photo Volume, Then Exceed It

Aim for:

• 10–20 new photos per week
• 4+ videos per month

2. Prioritize High-Engagement Photo Categories

Focus on:

• Staff interaction
• Customer processes
• Before/after visuals
• Seasonal updates

3. Encourage Customer Photo Uploads

These increase trust scoring and relevance.

4. Use a Professional Photographer Quarterly

Competitors dominating photo quality typically use pros.

5. Optimize Metadata Without Violating Policies

Add contextual descriptions in captions — not keyword stuffing.

PART 8 — Competitor GBP Posts Intelligence

Google Business Profile posts have become far more influential in 2026 than in previous years. While they were once seen as an optional engagement tool, GBP posts are now deeply tied to:

• Topical relevance scoring
• Behavioral engagement metrics
• Seasonal ranking boosts
• AI-generated business summaries
• Conversion pathway optimization

Competitors who post more often — and more strategically — gain visibility advantages that directly impact rankings, customer actions, and local authority. This section breaks down how to analyze competitors’ posting strategies and outperform them.

SECTION 1 — Why GBP Posts Matter in 2026

Google now uses posts to evaluate:

• Freshness of business activity
• Topical relevance to search queries
• Engagement and click-through behavior
• Authority in service categories
• Seasonal expertise and community involvement

Competitors who consistently post:

• Rank higher for long-tail keywords
• Receive more AI-summarized highlights
• Achieve higher CTR on their listings
• Generate more direct leads (calls, website clicks, bookings)

 

SECTION 2 — Posts Intelligence Workflow

Step 1 — Extract Competitor Posts (Last 12 Months)

Collect:

• Post frequency
• Post categories (offers, updates, events, services)
• Visual types used
• Engagement levels (visible likes, interactions, clicks)
• Seasonal posting patterns

Step 2 — Identify Posting Frequency Benchmarks

Top performers typically:

• Post 4–12 times per month
• Follow weekly posting cadences
• Increase posting before peak seasons

Step 3 — Analyze Content Structure

Look for:

• Keyword-rich introductions
• Clear CTAs
• Multi-image carousels
• Topical alignment with primary categories

Step 4 — Identify High-Performing Topics

Competitors may dominate via:

• Announcement posts
• Feature highlight posts
• How-to or educational posts
• Seasonal promotions
• Event recaps or community involvement

Step 5 — Analyze Visual Strategy

Many competitors use:

• Canva-designed templates
• On-brand color palettes
• Customer testimonial videos
• Before/after visuals

 

SECTION 3 —Posting Frequency Comparison Chart

A bar graph showing monthly posts:

• Competitor A: 14 posts/month
• Competitor B: 8 posts/month
• Competitor C: 5 posts/month
• You: 1–2 posts/month

Visual 2: Post Type Distribution Pie Chart

Pie sections include:

• Offers/promotions
• Events
• Announcements
• Service highlights
• Tips/how-to content

Competitor A covers all categories; you cover only two.

Visual 3: Engagement Gantt Chart (30-Day Window)

Week 1 — Seasonal Offer Post

Week 2 — Educational Video Post

Week 3 — Service Highlight Carousel

Week 4 — Customer Story/Testimonial

Visual 4: Keyword Density Word Cloud (Text-Based)

Competitor A: “same-day”, “emergency”, “affordable”, “professional”.

Competitor B: “local expert”, “premium”, “special offer”, “trusted”.

Competitor C: “eco-friendly”, “modern”, “high-tech”.

SECTION 4 — Google’s 2026 Posts Algorithm

Google now evaluates posts for:

• Semantic relevance to user queries
• Engagement actions (clicks, scrolls, video playtime)
• Local authority reinforcement
• Consistency with business categories
• Service-level keyword usage

Posts can directly influence:

• Rankings for micro-intent searches
• Local pack placement
• AI Summary highlights

 

SECTION 5 — How Competitors Use Posts to Win Rankings

Competitors often leverage:

• Seasonal campaigns (high engagement)
• FAQ-based posts (intent-matching)
• Service spotlights (keyword alignment)
• How-to content (authority building)
• Promotional offers (behavior optimization)
• Community involvement posts (trust scoring)

 

SECTION 6 — Example Post Intelligence Heat Map

Post Type | A | B | C | You | Priority

—————————————————-

Seasonal Offers | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High

Service Highlights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Educational Posts | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Medium

Event Recaps | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Optional

Customer Stories | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

SECTION 7 — Strategic Recommendations for 2026

1. Match and Exceed Competitor Post Frequency

Aim for:

• Minimum 1 post per week
• Ideal: 8–16 posts per month

2. Diversify Post Types

Hit every content category competitors use.

3. Build Seasonal & Event-Based Calendars

Competitors often gain ranking surges during high-search months.

4. Prioritize Strong Visuals and Videos

High-engagement formats boost behavior metrics.

5. Build AI-Optimized Post Templates

Include:

• Main keyword
• Supporting service terms
• Local relevance triggers
• CTA (Call, Visit, Book)

 

PART 9 — Advanced Local Pack Intelligence & Grid Ranking Analysis

Local Pack Intelligence is the backbone of competitive GBP strategy in 2026. While many businesses focus only on their primary ranking position, advanced brands analyze geospatial performance, distance-based visibility decay, and competitor clustering patterns across dozens of grid points.

This part provides a comprehensive framework for understanding why competitors outrank you in certain areas — and how to systematically take territory back.

SECTION 1 — Why Local Pack Intelligence Is Critical in 2026

Local pack performance is now influenced by:

• User proximity and real-time device location
• Competitor density clusters
• Behavioral engagement heat spots
• AI-generated preferred business types
• Local Authority Score (LAS)

Competitors often outperform because they:

• Have better visibility 1–3 miles from their location
• Execute category and attribute optimization more effectively
• Dominate review velocity in specific grid cells
• Have dense customer behavior hotspots

Understanding grid intelligence is how you reverse-engineer these advantages.

SECTION 2 — Grid Ranking Intelligence Workflow

Step 1 — Select Grid Size (7×7, 9×9, 13×13)

Larger grids reveal:

• Territory dominance
• Distance-based ranking decay curves
• Geographic visibility patterns

Step 2 — Run Multi-Radius Grid Tests

Test at:

• 0.3 mi
• 1 mi
• 3 mi
• 5 mi
• 7 mi

Step 3 — Extract Competitor Positioning

Identify competitors ranking:

• #1–3 (top tier)
• #4–10 (mid-tier)
• #11+ (low-tier)

Step 4 — Analyze Decay Curves

Plot ranking changes as distance increases.

Step 5 — Compare LAS (Local Authority Scores)

Competitors may have stronger authority in geographically specific pockets.

SECTION 3 — Grid Ranking Map

A grid where:

• Green = Rank 1–3
• Yellow = Rank 4–10
• Red = Rank 11+

Your competitor may dominate the entire northeast quadrant while you dominate only the southwest.

Distance Decay Line Graph

A graph showing ranking drop-off as distance increases:

• Competitor A: Holds top 3 up to 4.2 miles
• Competitor B: Holds top 3 up to 2.1 miles
• YOU: Hold top 3 up to 1.3 miles

This shows your weak visibility radius.

90-Day Grid Domination Plan

Week 1–2: Grid Testing & Competitor Mapping

Week 3–6: Review Velocity + Attribute Expansion

Week 7–10: Media Saturation in Weak Zones

Week 11–13: Posts & Seasonal Boosting

SECTION 4 — How Google Uses Local Pack Signals in 2026

1. Real-Time Proximity Weighting

Google adjusts ranking based on:

• Live traffic patterns
• User movement trends
• Time-of-day

2. Competitive Density Model

Areas with more similar businesses are more competitive. Google rewards:

• Higher LAS
• Better category alignment
• Stronger behavior signals

3. Behavioral Hotspot Detection

Google identifies pockets where people interact with listings more often. Competitors often dominate these zones.

SECTION 5 — Competitor Territory Domination Patterns

Common competitor advantages:

• Dense customer review clusters near certain neighborhoods
• Higher behavioral scores in commercial districts
• Superior visual media engagement in high-traffic areas
• Longer-standing citations in older parts of a city

 

SECTION 6 — Example Local Pack Intelligence Heat Map (Text-Based)

GRID POSITION YOUR RANK COMP A COMP B

—————————————————-

Cell A1 (North) 12 3 7

Cell B3 (Central) 4 2 9

Cell C2 (East) 15 1 6

Cell D4 (South) 3 8 11

Cell E5 (West) 7 5 2

This reveals where competitors are dominating territory.

SECTION 7 — Strategic Recommendations for 2026

1. Focus on Areas With Highest Value Potential

Do not try to win the entire grid at once. Start with:

• Densely populated zones
• Commercial districts
• High-income neighborhoods
• Areas with competitor weaknesses

2. Boost Reviews in Weak Grid Zones

Encourage customers located in those areas to leave reviews. Google geotags them and boosts local relevance.

3. Post Geo-Relevant Content

Mention:

• Neighborhood names
• Local landmarks
• Nearby events

4. Upload Photos Taken in Target Zones

Google reads metadata even without EXIF data.

5. Execute Seasonal Ranking Surges

Push:

• Fresh photos
• Review campaigns
• Category updates
• High-engagement posts

6. Improve LAS Through Consistency

LAS growth compounds competitiveness.

PART 10 — Local Authority Score (LAS) Intelligence

Local Authority Score (LAS) is one of the most important yet least understood ranking signals in 2026. While Google does not publicly disclose this metric, extensive industry testing confirms that GBP performance is now heavily influenced by an authority model—similar to PageRank, but optimized for local search environments.

Competitors who outperform in LAS often dominate map packs even when:

• They have fewer reviews
• Their website is weaker
• Their photo volume is lower

This part explains how to reverse-engineer the hidden LAS signals competitors are winning—and how to surpass them.

SECTION 1 — What Is LAS (Local Authority Score)?

LAS represents Google’s internal assessment of a business’s:

• Credibility
• Trustworthiness
• Local relevance
• Behavioral engagement
• Listing optimization quality
• Brand strength within local markets

Think of LAS as Google’s version of “local domain authority.”

Competitors with high LAS tend to:

• Maintain stable high rankings
• Recover faster from algorithm adjustments
• Dominate grid cells further from their location
• Appear more often in AI-generated Summaries

 

SECTION 2 — Components of LAS in 2026

Based on aggregated testing, LAS is influenced by 7 core factors:

1. Review Relevance & Sentiment Weight

Reviews mentioning key services boost LAS.

2. Behavioral Signals

High user interaction = high trust.

3. Photo & Video Engagement

Strong media engagement boosts credibility.

4. Category + Attribute Alignment

Competitors with perfect alignment score higher.

5. Profile Completeness & Freshness

Frequent posts, Q&A answers, service updates.

6. Citation Consistency

NAP accuracy across local directories.

7. Web-to-GBP Relevance

Landing page content that matches GBP categories and services.

SECTION 3 — LAS Intelligence Workflow

Step 1 — Estimate Your Competitors’ LAS

Look for indicators such as:

• Consistent ranking across the entire grid
• High engagement metrics
• Deep content alignment

Step 2 — Break Down Competitor Strengths

Identify strengths in:

• Reviews
• Posts
• Photos
• Categories
• Behavioral hotspots

Step 3 — Identify Weaknesses

Competitors often have hidden vulnerabilities:

• Low review sentiment
• Poor Q&A performance
• Weak attribute adoption
• Outdated photos

Step 4 — Build an LAS Gap Report

Map competitor LAS vs your estimated LAS.

SECTION 4 — Sample Visuals (Described)

Visual 1: LAS Comparison Bar Chart

A bar chart showing estimated authority:

• Competitor A: 88/100
• Competitor B: 74/100
• Competitor C: 69/100
• You: 52/100

Visual 2: LAS Factor Weight Breakdown Pie Chart

Pie slices representing:

• Reviews – 35%
• Behavioral engagement – 25%
• Media engagement – 15%
• Categories/attributes – 10%
• Posts – 7%
• Q&A – 5%
• Citations – 3%

 

LAS Gantt Improvement Chart (60-Day Plan)

Days 1–10 — Review Velocity + Keyword Strategy

Days 11–20 — Photo + Video Saturation

Days 21–30 — Attribute & Category Alignment

Days 31–45 — Post Amplification + Authority Content

Days 46–60 — Behavioral Optimization & Testing

SECTION 5 — How Google Uses LAS in 2026

1. Stabilization of Rankings

High-LAS businesses retain rankings longer.

2. Expansion of Geographic Reach

Competitors with high LAS rank farther from their location.

3. Eligibility for AI Summary Highlights

These summaries pull from top-authority listings.

4. Increased Weight for User Engagement

High LAS boosts behavioral impact.

SECTION 6 — LAS Intelligence Heat Map

LAS Factor | A | B | C | You | Priority

———————————————————–

Review Sentiment | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High

Behavioral Engagement | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Category Alignment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Q&A Strength | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Medium

Photo/Video Engagement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | High

Citations | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | OK

Website Relevance | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | High

SECTION 7 — Strategic Recommendations for LAS Dominance in 2026

1. Strengthen Review Quality—Fast

Reviews contribute the most LAS weight.

2. Engineer Superior Behavioral Signals

Boost calls, clicks, engagement rates.

3. Saturate Media With High-Quality Content

Competitors with >500 images often dominate LAS.

4. Fully Align Categories + Attributes

Misalignment lowers authority.

5. Publish High-Authority Posts Weekly

Use:

• Service-based topics
• Seasonal relevance triggers
• Local credibility boosts

6. Expand Web-GBP Consistency

Ensure landing pages match GBP services exactly.

PART 11 — Behavioral Signals Intelligence (Major 2026 Update)

Behavioral signals are one of the most transformative additions to GBP ranking systems in 2026. Google increasingly relies on user interactions to evaluate trust, relevance, and listing quality. These signals now influence rankings more than traditional factors like citations or even some forms of content optimization.

Competitors who outperform you in behavioral metrics gain disproportionate ranking advantages—often explaining sudden visibility changes that other SEO signals cannot.

This section breaks down every behavioral signal Google tracks, how competitors win at them, and how you can outperform.

SECTION 1 — Why Behavioral Signals Matter More Than Ever

Google’s local ranking algorithm now includes a full Behavioral Engagement Layer, influenced by:

• Click-through rates (CTR)
• Tap-to-call activity
• Direction requests
• Long-view image interactions
• Post engagement
• Website conversion alignment
• AI-driven follow-up prompts engagement

Competitors who generate more of these interactions consistently outrank others—even with lower LAS or fewer reviews.

SECTION 2 — Core Behavioral Signals Google Measures in 2026

1. Tap-to-Call Rate

A major ranking factor in service businesses. Competitors may outperform if:

• Their CTA is clearer
• Their phone number is more visible
• Their reviews mention responsiveness

2. Website Click-Through Rate (CTR)

Google rewards listings with higher CTR compared to competitors.

3. Direction Requests

High direction-request density indicates strong local demand.

4. Photo & Video Engagement

Google tracks:

• Long-view time
• Swipes
• Zoom interactions
• Video play rate

Competitors often win by uploading more compelling media.

5. Post Engagement Rate

High-performing competitors often:

• Use better visuals
• Use stronger CTAs
• Achieve higher relevance

6. AI Prompt Interaction Signals (New in 2026)

After clicking a listing, Google may ask AI follow-up prompts such as:

• “Do you want to see more photos of X?”
• “Would you like to compare similar businesses?”
• “Would you like to call now?”

Listings that generate more positive interactions gain an elevated quality score.

7. Bounce Avoidance Rate

If users don’t immediately return to the SERP after viewing a listing, this signals high relevance.

SECTION 3 — Behavioral Intelligence Workflow

Step 1 — Benchmark Competitor Engagement Levels

Identify competitors with high interactions.

Step 2 — Identify What Drives Their Engagement

Common factors include:

• Stronger visuals
• Faster loading landing pages
• More compelling CTAs
• Better review sentiment

Step 3 — Identify Your Weakest Signals

These usually include:

• Low tap-to-call rate
• Low CTR
• Low direction requests

Step 4 — Create Behavioral Optimization Plan

Improve each signal systematically.

SECTION 4 — Behavioral Comparison Bar Chart

• Competitor A: 36% CTR
• Competitor B: 29% CTR
• Competitor C: 22% CTR
• You: 12% CTR

45-Day Behavioral Optimization Sprint

Week 1 — Photo replacement + post refresh

Week 2 — Landing page conversion upgrades

Week 3 — Review velocity enhancement

Week 4 — Strong CTA optimization

Week 5 — Seasonal content & offer testing

Visual 4: Heat Map of Behavioral Superiority