Google My Business - Service Area - Use Zip Codes or City Names?

[WadeBayMgmt]

Google allows you to choose up to 20 locations as service areas, and you can choose based on cities, counties, or zip codes. I'm trying to determine if zip codes, cities, or counties are better to select for our GMB profiles. We are located in the US.

I am thinking it's best to use all 20 areas allowed on a profile as long as they are relevant, generally giving Google all the info they will let you provide is best. I also am leaning toward using zip codes because it also includes the city when you choose by zip code.

For example:

• Entered the zip code 21009 and the service area selection provided was: Abingdon, MD 21009, USA
• Entering the city/state returns a selection of Abingdon, MD, USA

I also think it may have to do with how people search and find your business as well? Does anyone have experience with this? Best practices? My google searching has not turned up any reliable info.

[MiriamEllis]

Hello There!

I'm so sorry it took me a couple of days to respond on this. I have two pieces of advice for this:

1. Remember that however you choose to set your service area, it will likely have no effect on your rankings. SAB settings have never been demonstrated to impact rank.

2. What you do choose should properly reflect the service area for that particular location of your business. I find it easiest just to list the service cities and, unless you have some specific case for doing otherwise, that may be easiest for you, too. So, for example, if my bakery is in Berkeley, CA and delivers to Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and Daly City, then those are the cities I would select. I wouldn't add extra cities just because Google allows it. I would just be accurate in reflecting where I deliver. Then, if I had a second Bakery in Ukiah, CA that delivers to Redwood Valley, El Largo and Calpella, I'd select those cities for that listing.

And, of course, please be certain that any listing you are creating for an SAB business model meets Google's guidelines https://support.google.com/business/answer/3038177?hl=en. Please let me know if you have any further questions. I'm happy to tell you anything I know.