How to Optimize Your Google Local Knowledge Panel

By now, you may be familiar with the Google knowledge panel and the benefits of using this tool to increase your business’s visibility and exposure. If not, it’s a pretty straightforward concept to understand.

The Google knowledge panel does exactly what the name implies. It provides important knowledge to online users about what your business does, who you are, what your hours of operation are, and what types of products and services you offer.

But did you know that it can also do a lot more for you?

When optimized to its maximum capacity, the knowledge panel can also generate more traffic and conversion for your website. And who doesn’t want that?

SEO Benefits of Optimizing Your Google Knowledge Panel

Updating your knowledge panel on a regular basis can help you increase your local website traffic. Maximizing your local knowledge panel real estate is the key to establishing a unique online brand reputation that differentiates you from your competitors and puts you on the map.

Essentially, your knowledge panel should highlight the brand attributes that make you stand out within your industry. What do you have to offer that your competitors don’t? How do these attributes make you a better option?

Your knowledge panel holds the key to the answers to these questions and more. Use appropriate images, keywords, phrases, social media posts, and attributes to make your brand stand out from an SEO perspective.

Tips for Optimizing Your Local Google Knowledge Panel

When it comes to utilizing SEO effectively to increase your online visibility, I always say “Go big or go home.” There’s no room for subtlety.

But there is room for concise, clear language that delivers your brand messaging to the masses as quickly as possible. And you can use your local Google knowledge panel to do that using these tips.

• Update Google posts regularly. The latest Google and other social media posts typically appear just below your knowledge panel on the search engine results page (SERP). Maintain a consistent posting schedule to boost your visibility and search engine results ranking.
• Add local reviews. Local reviews from legitimate customers are also great visibility and ranking boosters. They show prospective customers exactly what other customers think of your business. Bonus points go to business owners and proprietors who actively and professionally respond to reviews.
• List profile attributes. Profile attributes is a feature on the Google My Business (GMB) platform that allows businesses to list a variety of services and accommodations they offer (e.g. curbside pickup, delivery, contactless services, etc.).
• Monitor questions and answers. No one knows your business protocols better than you do. Even though loyal customers may know enough to offer some insight to prospective customers, they’re not you. It’s better if prospective customers get the answers to their questions straight from the horse’s mouth.

Include your website URL. The golden rule of online marketing and e-commerce is to always include your website URL in all of your business listings. That way, users have a link to click on that conveniently directs them straight to your website. If you make customers search for your URL, you risk having them end up on the wrong page.