Rediscovering this tutorial—still as helpful as ever!

For effective local SEO, the number of keywords you should target depends on factors like your industry, competition, and business goals. However, here's a general guideline:

Essential Keyword Categories for Local SEO
Primary Keywords (1-3 keywords) – These are your main money-making keywords (e.g., "dentist in New York," "best pizza in Chicago").
Secondary Keywords (5-10 keywords) – Variations of your primary keywords with slight modifications (e.g., "emergency dentist NYC," "top pizza place Chicago").
Long-Tail Keywords (10-20 keywords) – More specific phrases that capture user intent (e.g., "affordable emergency dentist in Manhattan," "best deep-dish pizza near me").
Branded Keywords (varies) – Keywords that include your business name (e.g., "Dr. Smith Dental Clinic NYC").
Competitor Keywords (varies) – Keywords targeting competitors' rankings (e.g., "alternative to [competitor name]").
Local Keywords (5-10 keywords) – Keywords targeting local modifiers (e.g., "roofing services in Brooklyn," "best coffee shop downtown").
How Many Keywords Should You Target?
For small businesses, a solid strategy is to focus on 15-30 well-researched keywords, ensuring a mix of high-traffic and long-tail local keywords. For larger businesses or multiple locations, you may need 50+ keywords per location.

Pro Tip for Local SEO Success
✅ Optimize Google Business Profile with top local keywords
✅ Use keywords naturally in NAP (Name, Address, Phone) citations
✅ Optimize website metadata (Title, H1, URLs, Alt tags, etc.)
✅ Build local backlinks from relevant directories and businesses
✅ Encourage customer reviews with keyword-rich feedback