Rank higher · 5 min read
How CGM Local ranking works
A plain-English look at what decides the order of businesses in CGM Local results — and what you control.
The three things that decide your rank
CGM Local ranking comes down to three ideas. Master these and you've covered the vast majority of what matters.
- •Relevance — how well your business matches what the person searched (your category, services, name, and description).
- •Quality & trust — verification, ratings, review count, and how complete and active your profile is.
- •Engagement — when searchers consistently choose your business for a query, that's a strong vote that you belong near the top.
What you control
You can't buy your way to the top of the member results, and you can't game it with tricks. What you can do is give the system clear, honest signals: the right category, accurate services, a real description, verification, and a steady flow of genuine reviews.
Tip: Don't keyword-stuff your name or description. It reads as spam, hurts clicks, and works against you.
Where to focus
If you do five things, do these: complete every field, get verified, pick the right category and services, write a clear description, and earn reviews. The guides in this section walk through each.
More in Rank higher
Choose the right category and services
Your category and services are how CGM Local matches you to searches. Get them precise.
Write a description that ranks and converts
Describe what you do in plain language. It helps you match searches and convinces people to choose you.
Add photos that win clicks
Photos make your listing look real and established — and they pull clicks away from competitors.
Keep your info accurate and stay active
Accurate hours and a regularly updated profile signal an active, trustworthy business.