How we write and check our guides.

Who writes our content

Our guides and articles are written and reviewed by Ranjit Shah, founder of Flexi Local and Start & Grow, with the Flexi Local team, who set up and run Google profiles, review requests, websites and local ads for local businesses. We write for owners, not marketers, so we keep it plain and practical.

How we research and check it

Every outside claim is backed by a source we link to: Google's own help pages first, then independent studies such as Whitespark's Local Search Ranking Factors and Sterling Sky's ranking tests. Where sources disagree, we say so and go with Google's own guidance.

Figures carry the year they come from. We avoid ranking promises, because no one can guarantee a position on Google.

How we use AI tools

We use AI tools to help research, draft and check our content. Nothing is published until it has been checked against the sources it cites, and every page shows when it was last updated.

Why we publish it

To help local businesses make better decisions, whether or not they ever become customers. Where one of our features or services is relevant, we say so, and we point out when a free option will do.

Updates and corrections

We review our guides when Google changes its rules or new evidence appears, and update the date when we do. If you spot something wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.