Local Memo: Local Ranking Factors of 2026 Have Arrived

Summary

Learn how Whitespark’s 2026 Local Ranking Factors report shows local SEO now thrives on engagement, trust, and AI-driven authority—not just keywords.

In this week’s local memo learn about the 2026 Local Ranking Factors report as well as local lists in Google results.

Whitespark’s Local Ranking Factors of 2026 Is Officially Live

The News: Well folks, it’s finally here – Whitespark’s Local Search Ranking Factors report is one of the most trusted barometers for what’s driving visibility in the local search ecosystem. The 2026 edition delivers a clear message: local visibility today is built on engagement, credibility, and connection, not just keyword optimization.

The biggest takeaways from the study are:

• Behavioral and engagement signals (posts, photos, clicks, calls, direction requests, and review cadence) continue to climb in importance. Local results are rewarding brands that “look alive” and are consistently interacting with their customers, not just those who set up a Business Profile and walk away. 
• On-page and website quality is once again on the rise. Local pages, localized content, and strong internal linking are central to local success. 
• Social signals make their debut as a new ranking factor, confirming what SOCi has always known: social engagement matters for local visibility.  
• And for the first time ever, AI search signals enter the mix. As generative and conversational AI begin shaping search results, local search is increasingly relying on signals that indicate brand authority and relevance beyond traditional listings and pages.

The overall takeaway? The local search ecosystem is evolving to mirror real-world interactions and prioritizing businesses that are active, trusted, and socially connected in their communities.

What it Means: For multi-location marketers, these insights validate what SOCi has long understood: local visibility comes from managing your presence across every signal that matters – listings, reputation, pages, and now, social.

The inclusion of social signals in this year’s report underscores what we’ve championed for years. Social engagement isn’t just a brand-building exercise; it’s a visibility driver. Consistent, localized social activity boosts both awareness and discoverability.

Similarly, the arrival of AI search signals reflects a broader shift in how people find and evaluate local businesses. AI-driven results pull from diverse data sources like reviews, social conversations, business updates, and website content.

In short, Whitespark’s latest findings reinforce that the future of local search is integrated and fragmented. To stay visible, brands must show real, continuous engagement.

Caught in the Wild: Local “Lists” On Google Business Profile 

The News: Curated lists are popping up on Google Business Profile, as reported by SOCi’s own Mike Snow. These lists are generated around position four in traditional map results, and combine local listings that fit into specific themed categories.

The three categories are:

• Local Gems: Locations with the most “all-time interest” in the Maps community.

• Trending: Locations generating attention “this week” 

• Top List: Emerging locations favored by the Maps community in the past year.

It’s not perfectly clear how “interest” is defined, but it’s safe to assume it’s highly interacted with and clicked on locations, receiving reviews & customer uploaded photos. 

What It Means: Engagement is king. Staying fresh with photos and posts is crucial to building momentum for your locations if you want to appear on a recommended list. It’s also more important now than ever to develop a review solicitation strategy at your locations. The more frequent and recurring your engagements are, the higher likelihood you’ll be chosen for one of these specialized lists.