Google Maps ranking factors determine which businesses show up first when someone searches for restaurants, cafes, or services near them. If you want more traffic from local customers, showing up at the top of those map results is critical.

Google uses three main categories to decide who ranks higher:

1. Relevance

How well your business matches what the searcher is looking for.

Examples:

• Your business category is accurate (e.g., “pizza restaurant” not just “restaurant”)

• You have detailed, keyword-rich descriptions

• Your reviews mention services or food you actually offer (e.g., “outdoor seating,” “great vegan options”)

2. Distance

How close your business is to the searcher or the location they typed in.

Tip: You can’t control where a person is searching from, but you can make sure your address and map pin are correct so Google knows exactly where you are.

3. Prominence

How well-known and trusted your business is online — both on Google and across the web.

Prominence includes:

• Number of reviews (and how recent they are)

• Average rating (higher is better, but recency matters too)

• Responses to reviews (Google rewards active engagement)

• Clicks, calls, and direction requests from your listing

• Mentions on other websites (Facebook, TripAdvisor, Instagram, Yelp)

• Verified location reviews – reviews posted by people who were physically at your business when they left feedback

 How ISR Helps You Improve These Factors:

• Prompts more real reviews from real guests — consistently

• Boosts engagement with your Google listing (clicks, follows, reviews)

• Drives guests to your social pages and website, increasing off-site signals

• Captures positive sentiment when it’s strongest — right at the table

• Helps prevent negative reviews by alerting you before the guest walks out

 Bottom Line:

The more relevant, trusted, and active your business appears online — especially on Google — the higher you’ll rank in local map results.
ISR gives you the tools to improve all of it, every day.

Want this as a checklist or printable for your team? Just ask!