Local SEO or Organic SEO? You Need Both!

We get this question a lot: Should I focus on local or organic SEO? The truth is, it’s not an either-or situation. You need both. They serve different purposes, but together, they cover all the ways people search for your business—whether they’re around the corner or across the country.

Local and organic SEO aren’t competing—they’re part of the same strategy. And when they work in sync, they can seriously boost your visibility and impact.

What’s the Difference Between Local and Organic SEO?

Organic SEO is all about helping your website rank in search results, no matter where the searcher is. It focuses on your overall online presence—things like keyword-rich blog content, smart internal linking, site structure, and domain authority. If someone types in “how to choose the best running shoes,” and your website shows up with a helpful blog post, that’s organic SEO at work. It’s a long-term strategy that builds your visibility over time and brings in a broader, often national or global audience.

Local SEO, on the other hand, zooms in on location-specific searches. It’s designed to connect your business with nearby customers who are ready to take action. Think: “SEO agency in Brooklyn,” “acupuncturist near me,” or “best tacos in Portland.” In this case, having an optimized Google Business Profile, consistent contact info across local directories, solid reviews, and geo-targeted content makes all the difference.

So when you’re comparing organic SEO vs. local SEO, you’re not choosing between two separate paths. You’re deciding how to be visible to different types of searchers—those browsing for general information and those looking for immediate, local solutions. Both are essential if you want to build trust, drive traffic, and grow your business from all angles.

How Local SEO and Organic SEO Affect Each Other

Local and organic SEO aren’t separate strategies—they’re interconnected. When one is strong, it naturally supports the other.

If your website is technically sound, loads quickly, works well on mobile, and regularly publishes high-quality, optimized content, it sends strong signals to Google. That helps your pages rank in organic search, but it also boosts your credibility in local results. Google is more likely to show your business in the local map pack when it sees a trustworthy, active website behind it.

At the same time, if your Google Business Profile is fully optimized—with accurate contact info, updated hours, thoughtful responses to reviews, and relevant photos—it can drive more traffic to your site. And that increased engagement? It can positively impact your organic rankings, too. People spend more time on your site, visit multiple pages, and come back again—all of which Google pays attention to.

In short, it’s not a one-way relationship. A strong local presence can lift your organic reach, and a strong organic strategy can make your local visibility even more powerful. Focus on both, and they’ll work together to build real momentum.

Real Talk: Do You Need Both?

Absolutely!

Take a local gym, for example. Local SEO helps that gym appear in the map pack when someone nearby searches for “gyms near me” or “personal training in [city].” That’s great for people who already know they want to join a gym. But what about the person searching for “how to build a beginner workout plan” or “best strength training tips at home”? That’s where organic SEO steps in. With helpful blog posts and optimized pages, you can attract a wider audience—even people who aren’t actively looking for a gym yet.

Now flip the scenario. Let’s say you run an online fitness brand without a physical location. You might not think local SEO matters—but what if you host a pop-up class in LA or sponsor a wellness retreat in Austin? Suddenly, local visibility matters. You want to show up when people in that area are searching for things to do, events to attend, or local fitness experiences.

It’s not about choosing one over the other. It’s about showing up in the right place at the right time—whether that’s a local map pack or a national search result. Using both approaches gives your brand more ways to be discovered, more opportunities to connect, and more chances to grow.

Why Settle for One When You Can Have Both?

You don’t have to choose between local SEO and organic SEO. The brands that grow sustainably—and get found by the right people—are the ones that use both strategies together. Local helps you show up in the neighborhood. Organic helps you reach beyond it.

If you’re not sure how to balance the two or where to start, that’s where we come in.

At Hot Brewed SEO, we build strategies that actually make sense for your business. No fluff, no guesswork—just smart, tailored SEO that gets results. Whether you need a stronger Google Business Profile, blog content that drives traffic, or a full strategy that covers all the bases, we’ve got you.

Book a free consultation and let’s build a plan that helps your brand get seen—locally and beyond.