LocalBusiness

The latitude and longitude properties embedded within a GeoCoordinates node provide the definitive spatial signal for local search. Unlike address text alone, precise coordinates eliminate geocoding ambiguity and directly inform proximity-based ranking algorithms.

• Use decimal degree format (e.g., 40.7128, -74.0060) with at least 6 decimal places
• Nest within the geo property of LocalBusiness
• Mismatched coordinates and street addresses trigger spam flags in Google's validation
• Essential for Google Maps pin accuracy and voice search responses

The openingHoursSpecification property structures business hours as an array of OpeningHoursSpecification objects, each defining a day-of-week and time window. This granular markup outperforms a simple text string by enabling search engines to display current open/closed status dynamically.

• Use ISO 8601 time format (HH:MM:SS) for opens and closes entries
• Define validFrom and validThrough dates for seasonal or holiday hours
• Multiple time windows per day (e.g., lunch closure) require separate specification objects
• Directly powers the 'Open Now' filter in local search results

The address property accepts a PostalAddress type, providing structured fields for streetAddress, addressLocality, addressRegion, postalCode, and addressCountry. This structured decomposition enables accurate entity reconciliation with Google's database of physical places.

• streetAddress must contain the full street-level detail including suite numbers
• addressLocality maps to the city, addressRegion to the state/province (use ISO 3166-2 codes)
• Consistency with Google Business Profile address data is non-negotiable for verification
• Missing or mismatched postal codes are a leading cause of local pack exclusion

The aggregateRating property embeds an AggregateRating node containing ratingValue (numeric score) and reviewCount (total reviews). This structured data triggers star-rich results in local packs, directly influencing click-through rates and consumer trust signals.

• ratingValue must be on a scale consistent with bestRating (typically 1-5)
• reviewCount should reflect the total number of reviews aggregated, not a subset
• Google may ignore markup that doesn't match visible on-page review content
• Star ratings in local results can increase CTR by up to 35% according to industry studies

The priceRange property uses a standardized shorthand (e.g., $$ or $$$) to signal cost tier, while paymentAccepted lists accepted methods as text strings. These attributes help search engines filter results for users with specific budget or payment constraints.

• priceRange follows the convention: $ (inexpensive) through $$$$ (ultra high-end)
• paymentAccepted should enumerate specific methods: 'Cash', 'Credit Card', 'Cryptocurrency'
• currenciesAccepted uses ISO 4217 codes (e.g., 'USD', 'EUR') for multi-currency businesses
• These properties feed into local search filters on mobile and voice interfaces

The sameAs property accepts an array of canonical URLs pointing to the business's authoritative profiles on external platforms. This explicit entity linking is the most powerful signal for consolidating a business's identity across the web and resolving duplicate listings.

• Include Google Business Profile URL, Wikipedia entry, Wikidata Q-ID, and major directory listings
• Each URL must represent the identical real-world entity, not a parent corporation or franchise
• Reconciliation via sameAs directly strengthens Knowledge Graph confidence
• Inconsistent sameAs links across pages create entity fragmentation and dilute authority