It’s 2025, and local search competition is fiercer than ever. With businesses increasingly relying on online visibility, showing up on Google Maps isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s critical. Whether you’re a solo accounting pro looking to attract local clients or a larger firm wanting to stand out in a major metro area, making sure your address is correct could be the key to reaching your growth goals.

If you’ve been wondering why your business doesn’t appear in local searches, your address may be the culprit. This issue has been around for a while. We first covered it in a popular YouTube video that struck a chord with our audience in 2020, and it’s every bit as relevant today.

1. Why Local Search Matters in 2025

Local SEO has come a long way in recent years. Google’s algorithms are more adept than ever at finding unreliable business information for location-based searches – this means you have to stay on top of your NAP (name, address, phone) data if you want to rank well. 

Here are just a few reasons why this matters so much in today’s digital world:

• Voice Search Dominance: With voice-activated searches becoming increasingly popular, exact location data is often pulled directly from your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing.
• Hyperlocal Results: Google factors in proximity and relevance, so even small discrepancies (e.g., “410 Park Avenue” vs. “410 Park Ave”) can keep your listing from appearing in relevant local search queries.
• Mobile-First Users: Most people search on the go these days – as many as 95% of searchers use smartphones instead of traditional computers! If your listing is missing or inaccurate, prospects are less likely to make that “click-to-call” or “get directions” action.

2. Common Address Pitfalls

Errors in your address can occur for various reasons—some as simple as overlooking a different abbreviation. Here are some of the most common issues we see:

• Multiple or Conflicting Addresses
  If you’ve moved offices and not updated all of your online listings, Google may not know which address is current. This can cause organic rankings to take a major hit, particularly in the YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) space, which encompasses the tax and accounting industry.
• Abbreviations and Formatting
  “St.” vs. “Street,” “Suite 200” vs. “Ste 200,” or even “#200” can confuse Google’s local index.
• P.O. Boxes
  A P.O. Box or virtual office address won’t suffice for local business listings, as Google prioritizes physical brick-and-mortar locations for map visibility and credibility – scam artists often use mailbox addresses to avoid detection, so Google won’t allow you to verify your profile with one of these addresses.

PRO TIP: If you need an office space to rank in a specific geographic area, consider a co-working space. These are legitimate business addresses that Google will accept (just remember you might have to provide video verification of your workspace!)

3. How to Fix Your Address and Boost Visibility

If you suspect your address might be holding you back from ranking on Google Maps, here are the next steps:

1. Claim or Update Your Google Business Profile (GBP)some text
   • Log in to your Google account, go to Google Business Profile, and ensure your address is correct, consistent, and includes the right suite or office number.
   • Double-check your other NAP information – business name, phone number, and website URL –  while you’re at it.
2. Audit All Your Online Listingssome text
   • From professional directories and review platforms to social media profiles, make sure your address is exactly the same everywhere.
   • Pay attention to formatting—Google loves consistency across the web.
3. Use a Real, Physical Addresssome text
   • Avoid P.O. Boxes or virtual office addresses. As we suggested above in our Pro Tip, if you’re a solopreneur working from home, consider a co-working space or other options for a legitimate business address
4. Keep Metadata Updatedsome text
   • Make sure your website’s “Contact Us” page features your current address in text (not just in an image), so search engines can read it.
   • Add structured data markup (Schema.org) to make your address info even clearer to Google – CountingWorks PRO can help with this!
5. Get Your Clients to Check Insome text
   • Encourage happy clients to leave Google Reviews or use the “Check-In” feature on social platforms. These user signals help confirm that your address is accurate and that your business is legitimately located where you say it is.

4. Moving Offices? Plan Ahead

Whether you’re moving to a bigger space or just relocating for convenience, planning your online address change is as crucial as contacting your utility companies. Create a checklist:

• Update Your GBP Listing the day your move is official (or the day before).
• Revisit All Directories in which you’re listed (Yelp, Angie’s List, specialized accounting directories, etc.).
• Inform Clients via email or social posts, and encourage them to use the new address on any incoming documents. This helps generate more correct citations across the web.

Related: SEO Mastery for Tax and Accounting Professionals: The Comprehensive Guide You Need

5. Why This Matters for Accountants in Particular

Unlike some businesses that rely solely on foot traffic, accountants may assume that a consistent address is less critical because many meetings happen remotely. However, credibility counts—especially in YMYL fields like financial services. If Google sees inconsistent information, it negatively impacts your local search ranking and raises red flags for prospective clients. After all, who wants an accountant whose business details seem scrambled online?

Standing out in local search results is a must in today’s digital landscape—whether you’re courting new clients in your city or just projecting legitimacy online. A consistent, correct address is a small detail that can make a big difference in how (and whether) you show up on Google Maps.

For a visual explanation and more details about ensuring your address is accurate, watch our original YouTube video here. While it dates back a bit, the core principles remain the same—plus, you’ll find helpful tips that still apply in 2025.

Don’t let an outdated or incorrect address keep you hidden from potential clients. Take a few minutes to review, correct, and unify your address across the web, and watch as your map visibility (and local trust factor) improves.