4-Month SEO Guarantee: Top Map Rankings Explained

Our process and checklist

We run a consistent set of tasks for every local campaign. These are the steps that make the guarantee possible when the business is a good fit.

• Google Business Profile setup and optimization — accurate business name, correct categories, strong descriptions, service areas, photos, and complete fields.
• On-page local SEO — service pages and location pages that match the targeted keywords and local intent.
• Citation cleanup and consistency — consistent name, address, phone across major directories.
• Localized link building — links from local partners, industry sites, and relevant pages that help maps and organic signals.
• Review strategy — gathering steady, real reviews and responding to them.
• Tracking and reporting — daily or weekly checks to see rank movement and GBP impressions.

We follow this plan in a strict order. That is the SOP. It keeps work organized and predictable. It also makes it possible to promise results for a tight area and a short time frame.

How we handle existing rankings

If a business already has the level of rankings we guarantee, we do not offer the guarantee. That makes sense. We will not promise to get you what you already have. Instead, we make a different offer. We push the maps profile as far as we can. But we do not know how far it will go until we start. Sometimes we can push exposure farther. Sometimes you hit an edge where the GBP stops getting impressions beyond a certain boundary.

The map coverage boundary and the two-month rule

Maps often have a soft boundary where a GBP stops getting exposure. We try to expand that boundary, but it may not move. We give it two months of consistent effort. If after two months we see no gains or only tiny gains that do not matter, we stop trying to brute force maps expansion.

At that point we shift strategy. We focus on organic ranking for areas outside the maps boundary. We also discuss the option of adding another Google Business Profile for a verified location. Most of the time another GBP is not practical, because verification rules make it hard to add a real, valid listing without a physical location.

Paid alternatives when maps cannot expand

For areas where maps coverage does not reach, we recommend two options:

• Local Service Ads — easy to manage and can work well for service businesses. We manage these for clients and see solid lead flow.
• Search ads — Google Search Ads can fill gaps, but they are often expensive for certain service niches. Search ads in the tree service space can be hard to make profitable.

Combining ads with a focused organic and GBP plan still brings a steady stream of leads for local companies.

Who is a good fit for this guarantee

We offer this guarantee when these conditions are met:

• The business serves customers from a real, verifiable location inside the target area.
• We are working on core service keywords, not obscure long-tail phrases.
• The business is not already ranking at the promised level in the target area.
• Competition in the specific 25 square mile area is manageable for the niche.

If these points line up, we can make the four-month promise. If not, we suggest a customized plan without a strict guarantee.

What we do not promise

We do not promise results outside of the agreed 25 square mile area. We do not promise to rank for remote cities. We do not guarantee results for businesses that already have the rankings we would provide. Finally, we cannot promise a fixed distance of expansion beyond that area. Every market behaves differently, and at some point maps will not show your GBP farther away.

Expected timeline and milestones

• Week 1 to 4 — GBP optimization, citations, on-page updates, and initial link work. We expect to see foundation signals improve.
• Month 2 — steady local link building, review growth, and more GBP optimization. We look for early rank movement.
• Month 3 — more momentum. Maps exposure should increase in the target area. We track the three keywords for traction in the three-pack.
• Month 4 — goal month. If we hit the three-pack for the three keywords inside the 25 square mile area, the guarantee is met. If not, we continue at no additional cost until we do, or we change strategy if a coverage boundary blocks further gains.

Tips to improve your chance of success

• Keep business info identical across all directories. Small differences confuse Google.
• Ask customers for reviews often. New reviews help GBP signals.
• Create clear service pages that match the three keywords and include local terms.
• Build a few real local links. One or two high-value local links beat many weak links.
• Be patient but watch the data. Consistent work beats random bursts.

FAQ

Can you still get top map rankings in four months?

Yes, for a small 25 square mile area and for the business's top three service keywords we can. We follow a strict checklist and will work for free after four months until the goal is reached, provided the business meets our fit criteria.

Which keywords are covered by the guarantee?

We focus on the top-level service keywords. For tree companies that is usually tree service, tree trimming, and tree removal. We keep the keyword list short and clear.

What happens if there are no gains after two months?

We call that finding the coverage boundary. If two months of steady effort bring no meaningful gains, we stop trying to force maps expansion and shift to organic ranking or paid options like Local Service Ads.

Can you promise results for other cities or a bigger area?

No. The guarantee is limited to the 25 square mile area around the business location. We will not promise remote city coverage or an area larger than the agreed grid.

Are Google Search Ads a good substitute?

They can be, but in some service niches they are hard to run profitably. Local Service Ads are often easier to manage and can deliver strong leads for service businesses.

Can we add another Google Business Profile to cover more area?

Sometimes that is an option, but verification rules make it difficult to add legitimate new profiles without a real, verifiable location. We discuss this if it becomes a sensible route.

We keep things simple: small area, top keywords, strict checklist, and a two-month check for boundary issues. That is how we deliver a short-term, reliable map pack guarantee.