When it comes to local SEO, having the right tools and strategies can make a big difference. One important tool that often gets overlooked is the ID page. If you’re wondering how to connect your Google Business Profile with your website and improve your local SEO, understanding the role of the ID page is a great place to start. In this article, we’ll explain what an ID page is, why it matters, and how to use it effectively to help your business rank better in both organic search and Google Maps.
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Can You Use One Google Search Console Account for Both Your Money Site and ID Page?
A common question is whether it’s safe to use the same Google Search Console (GSC) account for both your main website (the “money site”) and your ID page. The short answer is yes, it’s perfectly fine. The ID page is considered a brand asset, so it makes sense to keep all related properties under the same GSC account. There’s no need to split them up.
In fact, the ID page is part of your local business’s overall online presence, so managing it alongside your main site helps keep everything connected. Think of the ID page as a bridge that links your organic website and your Google Business Profile (GBP) on Maps. Keeping them together in one GSC account simplifies tracking and management.
What Is an ID Page and Why Does It Matter?
An ID page is a special kind of webpage that acts as a dedicated resource for your local business. It includes important details like your business name, address, phone number, website, and links to your product or service pages. This page helps search engines understand your business better by clearly associating your brand with the services you offer and the locations you serve.
Unlike your main website, the ID page is often published on a high-authority domain, such as Amazon S3 or Microsoft Azure cloud storage. This is done to take advantage of the strong domain authority these platforms have. When your ID page is hosted on a trusted domain, it can inherit some of that authority, which helps it rank better in search results.
Hosting your ID page on a cloud storage domain also allows you to be more aggressive with link building. You can build links quickly and frequently to your ID page without risking your main site’s reputation or SEO health. This strategy helps boost your local SEO by increasing the authority and visibility of your branded asset.
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The ID Page Connects Organic Search and Google Maps
Local SEO is made up of a few key pieces that work together. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Money Site: Your main website where you show your products or services and get organic search traffic.
- Google Business Profile (GBP): Your profile on Google Maps that helps customers find you locally.
- ID Page: The bridge that links your money site and your GBP.
In the past, Google offered something called a Google Business Website, which was a simple landing page created within the GBP. This page acted as a natural connector between organic search and Maps. Unfortunately, Google discontinued this feature in March last year.
That’s where the ID page comes in. It replaces the Google Business Website as the main connector. The ID page includes a semantic triple statement in its SEO title, which means it clearly states three things:
- Who the business is (the brand name)
- What the business does (products or services)
- Where the business operates (location)
This clear association helps Google understand your local business better. It also prevents confusion by using the correct brand name consistently across all pages, which is important for local SEO.
How to Optimize Your ID Page for Local SEO
Optimizing your ID page is not difficult, but there are some important rules to follow:
- Use the Brand Name Consistently: Always include the exact brand name in the SEO title and throughout the page. Avoid using different versions of your name across different pages because that confuses Google.
- Create a Semantic Triple Statement: Your homepage should state who you are, what you do, and where you do it. Inner pages should add more specific details that support this main statement.
- Link to Supporting Pages: Include links to your product or service pages and location landing pages from your ID page.
- Include Structured Data: Use local business schema markup on your location pages, making sure to add the ID page URL in the “ad ID” field. This helps search engines verify your business information.
Following these steps will help Google connect your business details across your website, ID page, and Google Business Profile, which improves your local search presence.
Should You Submit Your ID Page to Google Search Console?
Many people ask if they need to submit their ID page for indexing in Google Search Console. The honest answer is, it’s not necessary. ID pages can be tricky to submit, especially when hosted on cloud storage services like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage.
Instead of submitting the ID page directly, focus on linking to it regularly from your Google Business Profile posts and other trusted sources. This natural linking will help Google find and index your ID page over time. Additionally, including the ID page in your structured data and using it as a target for press releases can speed up the indexing process.
In practice, within a month or two of consistent linking and promotion, your ID page should be indexed without any direct submission in Google Search Console.
Why Avoid Fake Google Business Profiles?
One frustrating problem in local SEO is fake or spam Google Business Profiles. These profiles can be created without valid business locations, causing trouble for legitimate businesses. Google sometimes removes or suspends real profiles without clear reasons, which can hurt your local SEO efforts.
Instead of relying on fake or questionable GBP listings, focus on building a strong, authentic branded footprint through your money site, Google Business Profile, and ID page. This approach is more stable and effective in the long run.
How the ID Page Ranks in Branded Searches
When you do a branded search for your business, the ideal situation is for your money site to rank first and your ID page to rank second. This shows a strong and consistent presence across organic search results.
For example, even if your Google Business Profile is removed or not ranking well, a well-optimized and authoritative ID page can still appear near the top of search results for your brand name. This makes the ID page a valuable backup and support asset in your local SEO strategy.
Summary: Why the ID Page Matters for Your Local SEO
The ID page is a simple but powerful tool that helps connect your website with your Google Business Profile. It acts as a branded asset that you control and can optimize freely. Hosting it on a high-authority domain allows you to build links aggressively without risking your main site.
Using the same Google Search Console account for your money site and ID page makes sense because they are part of the same local entity. Don’t worry about submitting your ID page directly to Google Search Console. Instead, link to it regularly from your GBP posts and other trusted sources to get it indexed naturally.
By consistently using your correct brand name and creating clear semantic associations between your brand, services, and locations, your ID page will help improve your local SEO and support your overall online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it okay to use one Google Search Console account for both my main website and my ID page?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine. Since the ID page is part of your local business brand, keeping everything under one GSC account helps with management and tracking.
Where should I host my ID page?
Many people host their ID pages on cloud storage platforms like Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Storage. Hosting on a high-authority domain helps the ID page inherit authority, which can improve ranking and link building.
Do I need to submit my ID page to Google Search Console for indexing?
No, it’s not necessary. Instead, link to your ID page from your Google Business Profile posts and other trusted locations. Over time, Google will find and index the page naturally.
What is a semantic triple statement, and why is it important?
A semantic triple statement is a clear phrase that tells who your business is (brand), what you do (services), and where you do it (location). This helps Google understand your business better and improves local SEO.
Why should I avoid fake or spam Google Business Profiles?
Fake or spam profiles can cause problems with Google and may lead to suspension or removal of your real business listings. It’s better to focus on building a strong, authentic presence with real locations and assets like your ID page.
How does the ID page help with local SEO rankings?
The ID page supports your main website and Google Business Profile by linking all the pieces together. It helps Google verify your business information and can rank well in branded searches, often appearing right after your main site.