Feb 15, 2026 2 min read Search Engine Optimization

Why your business is not first on local Google search

Last week, a local plumber called me frustrated. He said:

“I’ve been in business 15 years. I do great work. But when I search ‘plumber near me,’ I’m nowhere to be found. My competitor is always first. What am I doing wrong?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Every day, people will search:

“best dentist near me”
“coffee shop open now”
“roof repair in [city]”
“hair salon close to me”

And Google has to decide who shows up first. It doesn’t guess, It doesn’t play favorites. And it definitely doesn’t rank businesses randomly.

Google algorithm follows signals. When someone searches for a service in their area, Google looks at three core signals:

Relevance: How clearly do you match the search?
Trust: Do your website look legitimate and active?
Prominence: Are people interacting with your business online?

If you’re not ranking in Google Maps or local search results, one (or more) of these signals must be weak.

Is It Crystal Clear What You Do?

Imagine Google is reading your business profile for the first time.

Does it instantly understand:

What services you offer?
What city or areas you serve?
Who your ideal customers are?

Or does it just see something vague like:

“We provide quality services at affordable prices.”

That tells Google nothing.

Meanwhile, your competitor’s profile says:

“Emergency plumbing services in Toronto. Water heater repair, drain cleaning, and 24/7 leak detection.”

Guess who Google understands better? Clear, detailed service descriptions help you rank higher in local search results.

If you want to show up for searches like “best plumber in Toronto” or “emergency plumbing near me,” your content needs to reflect those exact services naturally.

Clarity = better relevance.

Does Your Business Look Active and Trustworthy?

Here’s something most business owners don’t realize: Google prefers active businesses.

It quietly checks:

Are you getting recent Google reviews?
Do you reply to reviews?
Are you uploading new photos?
Are you posting updates on your Google Business Profile?
Is your information current?

If your last update was in 2021, that sends a signal. If your competitor added photos this week and responded to three reviews yesterday, that sends a stronger one. Google wants to recommend businesses that look alive. Because from Google’s perspective, active businesses are safer to recommend.

Activity builds trust. Trust improves rankings.

The Bottom Line

Ranking first on Google search is actually very straight forward, when you know what signals its looking for, like clear information. Consistent updates. Real customer engagement. Businesses that treat their online presence like part of their daily operations rise. Those that ignore it slowly disappear from search results.

If you’re not showing up right now, that’s not failure. It’s just unfinished work. And that’s something you can Work on.

Let me know if you would like more about signals or posts you want to see!