Many business owners try to squeeze every city name into their Google Business Profile services, thinking it’ll boost local rankings. In reality, that approach often backfires—cluttering your profile and confusing Google about what you actually offer. The smarter move is to focus on clean, concise service listings that highlight real differences and let your service area settings and website handle location targeting. This guide breaks down exactly how to do that (with examples) so your profile stays clear, consistent, and optimized for local SEO.
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Can we add the same service multiple times with a city added?
Let us start with the specific example people ask about. Someone might add a service called “bed bug extermination Glen Burnie MD” and then add another called “bed bug extermination Pasadena MD.” Each entry contains the same core phrase bed bug extermination plus a location. Technically that is allowed, because each service name is different when you add the city. In practice though, this is one keyword and one location modifier repeated.
If the only difference is a city name, Google still sees the same service idea repeated. That can create clutter and it does not give Google much new information. Instead of adding many city-named service labels, it is usually better to list the service once and use other parts of your profile to show the area you serve.
What counts as a different keyword?
We need to be clear about what a keyword is. A keyword is the main phrase that describes the service, like pest control, rodent control, or bed bug extermination. A location modifier is a city name or neighborhood added to the keyword. So:
- bed bug extermination Glen Burnie MD = keyword + location modifier
- bed bug extermination Pasadena MD = keyword + location modifier
- rodent control service Severna Park MD = keyword + location modifier
All four of those entries are the same core keywords with different city names. If you instead add entries that change the core words, that becomes multiple keywords. For example:
- pest control = keyword A
- rodent control = keyword B (subtopic of pest control)
- bed bug extermination = keyword C (subtopic of pest control)
When two terms mean the same thing, or one is clearly a subtype of another, they are not really distinct keywords for the purpose of listing services. Listing both can be redundant and does not help your profile rank better.
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Use entity variance to choose better keywords
Entity variance is a simple idea. It means we look for different ways people say the same thing. If many people search for pest control, they might also search for exterminator, pest extermination, pest removal, rodent control, or bed bug treatment. These are variants and synonyms around the same topic.
We should use entity variance to avoid repeating the same idea in slightly different words that do not add value. For example, adding both pest extermination and pest exterminators as separate services is redundant. Google will treat those as the same idea. Instead, choose a clear, single phrase that matches what customers use and keep your list simple.
When it makes sense to include location in the service name
There are times when adding a location modifier in the service name is reasonable:
- When you operate separate physical offices or branches and each branch has its own Google Business Profile
- When the service is unique only to a specific area and you want users to see the area right away
- When you have many different service menus for separate locations and the service options differ by site
Most local businesses do not need to list the same service repeatedly for each city. Instead, use the service area setting, your business description, posts, and landing pages for city pages to target multiple locations without repeating service names in the services list.
Examples that make sense and ones that do not
Good example 1: We list “bed bug extermination” once as a service. Then we make a landing page for bed bug extermination and create city-targeted pages or posts that say we serve Glen Burnie, Pasadena, and other nearby places.
Good example 2: We list “rodent control” as a service and also have a “pest control” entry if we want to show both the general service and the specific one. But if rodent control is the same as our pest control offering, it might be better to keep only the specific one or only the broad one depending on search intent.
Bad example: We list “rodent pest control,” “rodent pest control Annapolis,” “rodent pest control Glen Burnie,” “rodent control,” and “pest control” all as separate services. That creates a lot of overlap and makes the services list hard to read and less useful to Google.
Simple rules to avoid keyword redundancy
- List the core service once. Keep service names short and clear.
- Do not add the same service multiple times just to add different city names. Use service areas and landing pages instead.
- Use entity variance to choose different keywords only when they add a new meaning. For example pick rodent control if it is a distinct service from general pest control.
- Avoid combining synonyms together in one label. For example, do not add both pest exterminator and pest extermination if they mean the same thing.
- If you truly have different service packages per location, then add location-specific service names. Otherwise keep the list short and tidy.
How to set up services for a cleaner Google Business Profile
Follow these steps for a clear services list:
- Write down every service you provide at a high level. Use phrases customers search for naturally, like pest control, bed bug treatment, rodent control, wildlife removal.
- Remove duplicates and overlapping names. If two names mean the same thing, keep the best one.
- Use the service area field to list cities and neighborhoods you serve. Do not repeat city names in the service name itself.
- Create separate city pages on your website for each area you serve. Link to those pages from your profile or posts.
- Use Posts, Q and A, and descriptions to call out specific city coverage when needed.
Practical wording tips
- Use singular clear nouns: bed bug extermination, rodent control, termite treatment.
- Avoid packing multiple synonyms into one service name. Do not write pest exterminators and pest control together as one label.
- If you list both a general category and a specific subcategory, ensure they are truly different for customers. For example keep both pest control and bed bug treatment if you have special bed bug services that require different handling.
- Keep the service name readable. Long labels with city names look spammy.
Why this matters for local SEO
Google tries to understand entities and relationships. When your services list repeats the same idea many times, Google gets no new signal. Clean, concise service names help Google match real search queries to your business. Using the service area and your website for city targeting gives Google better context and avoids the redundancy that can dilute focus.
Quick checklist
- One clear service name per unique offering
- Use service area and web pages for city targeting
- Only add location-specific service entries if they reflect real differences at that location
- Use synonyms sparingly and only when they add new meaning
- Keep labels short, readable, and customer friendly
Common mistakes to avoid
Repeating the same keyword with different cities is a common mistake. It creates a long list that helps neither customers nor Google. Another mistake is mixing synonyms in one entry or creating labels that are unclear. Keep it simple. If two words mean the same thing, pick the one customers use most.
Wrap up
Yes, you can add the same service many times with different city names. That does not normally help and can clutter your profile. Instead, pick clear core service names, use entity variance to pick true variants, and use service areas and web pages for city targeting. If you run multiple physical offices and each location has different offerings, then location-specific service labels may make sense. For most single-location or service-area businesses, listing the service once and focusing on smart area targeting gives better results.
Frequently asked questions
Can I list the same service multiple times for different cities inside my Google Business Profile?
You can, but it is usually redundant. Each entry with a different city is still the same core service. It is better to list the service once and use the service area or city pages on your website to show where you work.
Is rodent control the same as pest control?
Rodent control is a subtype of pest control. If you list both, make sure they represent different offerings. If rodent control is just one part of your pest control work, you may only need the specific term or the general term, not both.
Should I add synonyms like exterminator and extermination as separate services?
No, do not add synonyms simply for variation. Pick the single phrase that customers use most and keep your services list clean. Use your website content and posts to capture alternative phrasing.
When is it okay to use a city name in the service label?
Use a city in the service name only if each service offering is unique by location or if you maintain separate profiles for each physical office. Otherwise use the service area field and location pages on your website for city targeting.
How do we decide which service names to keep?
Keep service names that match customer search language, do not overlap in meaning, and clearly describe what you do. Remove duplicates and overly long labels. Aim for clarity and brevity.