Google Maps Ranking Guide: How to Use Geotagged Videos to Crack the Local Pack
The Local Pack (the map results) is brutal. You can do "everything right" and still sit in position 6 because your competitors are equally optimized.
The goal isn't to find one trick. The goal is to build a system that continuously produces credible local relevance signals.
One system that works well in 2025:
Publish short, helpful, on-location videos to your Google Business Profile - and make sure the final exported file retains GPS metadata (or gets it injected).
This guide is a practical playbook you can run weekly.
Internal tools you'll use in this workflow:
- Verify GPS/EXIF in a file: Video Metadata Checker
- Fix missing GPS metadata: GetGeoVideo pricing
First: understand what you're trying to influence
Local Pack rankings are driven by a mix of factors (commonly summarized as):
- Relevance (does your listing match the query intent?)
- Distance / proximity (how close is the searcher to the business?)
- Prominence (brand strength, reviews, citations, engagement, etc.)
Geotagged videos don't replace any of this. But they can support relevance and prominence by strengthening the consistency of your local signals.
The weekly "Local Pack video" workflow
Run this once per week per location (or more if you have capacity).
Step 1: Choose a keyword + service angle
Pick one primary service and one context. Examples:
- "Emergency plumber" -> "What to do when a pipe bursts"
- "HVAC repair" -> "3 signs your AC capacitor is failing"
- "Dental implant" -> "What to expect in week one"
- "Hair salon" -> "Before/after color correction"
Make sure the topic maps to your GBP categories and services.
Step 2: Capture a 10-30 second video on-location
Short videos are easier to produce, easier to publish consistently, and easier for customers to watch.
Capture tips:
- Include a quick location cue (storefront sign, office entrance, branded vehicle, recognizable interior).
- Keep the camera stable (tripod or stabilized handheld).
- Film vertically or horizontally - what matters most is clarity.
Step 3: Edit for retention (captions win)
Simple edits increase engagement:
- Trim dead time.
- Add captions (many viewers watch muted).
- Add a one-line hook in the first 2 seconds.
- Optional: add a subtle CTA ("Book today", "Call for a quote").
Export your final file as MP4 or MOV.
Step 4: Check whether the exported file contains GPS metadata
This is where most teams skip a step and lose the advantage.
Use the checker to confirm whether the final exported file has GPS coordinates:
If the report shows missing GPS, don't panic - this is normal after editing.
Step 5: Inject real coordinates (if needed)
If the final video is missing location metadata, inject the GPS coordinates of the real place where the content was created.
Use GetGeoVideo to geotag the file and export a location-enabled version:
Step 6: Verify again (non-negotiable)
After you export the geotagged version, run it back through the checker:
This is the difference between a reliable process and a random process.
Step 7: Publish to Google Business Profile
Post the video to your GBP (Posts/Updates) or wherever your workflow supports video publishing.
Publishing tips:
- Use a short description that includes the service and city naturally.
- Add a clear action (call, book, get directions).
- Keep it consistent. Consistency beats intensity.
A "Local Pack" content formula that performs
You don't need cinematic videos. You need videos that:
- answer a real question,
- clearly relate to a local service,
- are published consistently.
Try this format:
- Hook (0-2s): "If your AC is blowing warm air, check this first..."
- Proof (2-8s): show the unit / tool / storefront
- Tip (8-20s): one actionable step
- CTA (20-30s): "If you're in [City], we can help - book today."
On-page SEO: embed the video on a matching service page
If you want to stack signals, don't stop at GBP.
Embed the same video on the relevant service page (or a short blog post) and:
- add a short transcript,
- link to the service page from your GBP post,
- keep the on-page content aligned with the exact service + location.
This creates a tighter "content cluster" around the query intent.
Multi-location businesses: which coordinates should you use?
If you have multiple locations, the safest approach is:
- One video per location, filmed at (or clearly representing) that location.
- Geotag the file to the specific location you're posting for.
Avoid geotagging a single generic video to multiple addresses. It's usually a waste of effort because the content won't feel locally grounded, and it can create inconsistent signals if the same clip appears everywhere.
If you serve customers at job sites (plumbers, roofers, landscapers), you have two legitimate options:
- Geotag to your office / service hub and keep the video clearly tied to your brand and service area.
- Geotag to the job site only if you have permission and it's appropriate to do so (privacy matters).
When in doubt, tag to your real business location.
Posting cadence: a realistic schedule that compounds
Most teams fail because they try to do too much in week one and burn out.
Use a schedule you can actually keep:
- 1 video per week per location (10-30 seconds)
- 2-3 photos per week (before/after, team, storefront)
- 1 short Q&A post per week (optional)
After 8-12 weeks, you've built a library of locally-relevant media that competitors can't easily replicate.
Troubleshooting: when you still don't move in rankings
If you run the workflow for a month and rankings don't budge, it usually means one of these:
- Your category is extremely competitive, and you need stronger prominence signals (reviews, citations, backlinks).
- Your listing's relevance is weak (categories/services don't match the queries you want).
- Your website doesn't support the service intent (thin service pages, missing location context).
The video workflow still helps, but you may need to pair it with:
- a review generation system,
- service-page upgrades (FAQs, proof, case studies),
- and consistent on-page internal linking.
FAQs
Should I geotag every video?
Not necessarily. Start with one weekly video per location and build consistency first. If the workflow is smooth, then scale.
What if my editor strips metadata every time?
That's normal. Make "check -> fix -> re-check" part of your export checklist:
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Pitfall 1: Editing after geotagging
If you inject GPS metadata and then re-export the file in an editor, you'll often strip the metadata again.
Fix: geotag last, then verify.
Pitfall 2: Geotagging to a location you don't serve
Don't do it. It can create inconsistent signals, violate trust, and confuse customers.
Fix: geotag only to legitimate locations and content captured there.
Pitfall 3: Posting "random" content that doesn't map to services
A funny office video is fine for brand, but it won't help much with "emergency plumber near me".
Fix: anchor each video to a service keyword and use the content formula above.
Pitfall 4: Not measuring anything
If you don't measure, you can't improve.
Track:
- GBP post views and actions
- calls / direction requests
- local rank tracking (if you have a tool)
- conversions on the linked landing page
Quick checklist (print this)
- Video filmed at the real location
- Exported as MP4/MOV
- GPS checked in final export: Video Metadata Checker
- GPS injected if missing: GetGeoVideo pricing
- Re-checked after injection
- Published to GBP with service + city in copy
- Embedded on matching service page (optional, but powerful)
Final takeaway
Cracking the Local Pack isn't about finding one "ranking hack." It's about building a repeatable engine that compounds local relevance.
Geotagged videos are a clean, ethical way to strengthen that engine - especially because most competitors still don't verify location metadata at all.
Start with the verification step today: