What is LocalBusiness schema?
LocalBusiness schema is structured data code, based on Schema.org, that tells search engines your business type, address, phone, opening hours, location and other key facts in a machine readable format.
It is usually added to a page as JSON-LD inside a script tag. LocalBusiness has many subtypes, such as Dentist, Plumber, Restaurant or LegalService, and using the most specific type gives search engines the clearest picture.
Common properties include name, address, telephone, url, geo coordinates, openingHoursSpecification, priceRange, areaServed, sameAs links to social profiles, and aggregateRating where reviews are collected on your own site.
Key LocalBusiness schema properties
| Property | What it describes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| @type | The most specific business type | Dentist, Plumber, LegalService, Restaurant |
| name | Your real business name | Simcoe Home Solutions |
| address | A PostalAddress with street, city, region, postcode, country | 123 Main St, Orillia, ON |
| geo | Latitude and longitude | 44.6082, -79.4197 |
| telephone | Main phone number | +1 705 555 0123 |
| openingHoursSpecification | Days and hours | Mo to Fr 08:00 to 18:00 |
| areaServed | Cities or regions served | Orillia, Barrie, Midland |
| sameAs | Links to your official profiles | Business Profile, Facebook, LinkedIn |
| url and logo | Your website and logo image | https://example.com/logo.png |
LocalBusiness schema example
This JSON-LD example goes in the page head or body. Every detail must match what is visible on the page and in your Business Profile.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "HousePainter",
"name": "Example Painting Co",
"url": "https://example.com/",
"telephone": "+1-705-555-0123",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Main St",
"addressLocality": "Orillia",
"addressRegion": "ON",
"postalCode": "L3V 1A1",
"addressCountry": "CA"
},
"geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 44.6082, "longitude": -79.4197 },
"openingHoursSpecification": [{
"@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification",
"dayOfWeek": ["Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday"],
"opens": "08:00", "closes": "18:00"
}],
"areaServed": ["Orillia", "Barrie"],
"sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/example"]
}How to add and test LocalBusiness schema
- 1Pick the most specific schema.org type for your business, falling back to LocalBusiness only if nothing fits.
- 2Write one JSON-LD block per location, placed on that location's page.
- 3Match name, address, phone and hours exactly to the page and your Business Profile.
- 4Add sameAs links to your official profiles to help connect your entity.
- 5Test the page with Google's Rich Results Test and the Schema Markup Validator.
- 6Recheck after any change to hours, phone numbers or addresses.
Why LocalBusiness schema helps
LocalBusiness schema describes a business with a physical location or service area: name, address, phone, hours, geo coordinates and more. It helps search engines confirm details and connect the website to the Google Business Profile. It also helps AI tools answer local questions accurately.
Use the most specific subtype available, such as Plumber, Dentist or Restaurant, rather than the generic LocalBusiness type.
LocalBusiness schema properties
- 1name, address and telephone.
- 2url and logo.
- 3geo with latitude and longitude.
- 4openingHoursSpecification.
- 5areaServed for service area businesses.
- 6sameAs links to profiles.
- 7priceRange where helpful.
LocalBusiness schema for multiple locations
One page per location
Each location gets its own markup.
Consistent naming
Use the same brand name format.
Link to profiles
Each page links to its own Google profile.
LocalBusiness schema checklist
- 1Most specific subtype.
- 2NAP matches the profile.
- 3Geo coordinates accurate.
- 4Hours and special hours.
- 5sameAs links.
- 6Tested after updates.
LocalBusiness schema mistakes
Common mistakes include using a generic type, adding fake reviews, listing many locations in one block on the home page and leaving old hours or addresses in markup after changes.
Why LocalBusiness schema matters for SEO
Schema helps search engines understand and trust your business details, and supports consistent information across your site, profile and listings.
It also helps AI systems. Clear structured data makes it easier for AI Overviews and chat assistants to pull correct facts about your business.
How LocalBusiness schema works
Adding LocalBusiness schema takes three steps.
Pick the right type
Choose the most specific Schema.org subtype for your business, such as AutoRepair rather than LocalBusiness.
Fill in accurate properties
Add name, address, phone, hours, geo and service area, matching your Google Business Profile exactly.
Test and publish
Check the code with Google's Rich Results Test and the Schema Markup Validator, then monitor Search Console for errors.
A Melbourne cafe adds CafeOrCoffeeShop schema to its homepage with address, opening hours, menu link and geo coordinates. Google picks up the correct hours, and the cafe's details appear accurately in local results and AI answers.
LocalBusiness schema checklist
- ✓Use JSON-LD format
- ✓Choose the most specific business subtype
- ✓Match details to your Google Business Profile
- ✓Add separate schema to each location page
- ✓Include sameAs links to official profiles
- ✓Validate after every site change
Common LocalBusiness schema mistakes
Marking up fake reviews
Self serving review markup that breaks Google's rules can lead to manual action.
Using the generic type
LocalBusiness alone gives less detail than a specific subtype.
Mismatched details
Schema that conflicts with your profile sends mixed signals.
One schema for many locations
Each branch needs its own markup on its own page.
Related SEO terms
LocalBusiness schema FAQs
What format should LocalBusiness schema use?
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Google recommends JSON-LD, placed in the page head or body.
Which page should have LocalBusiness schema?
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Your homepage or contact page for single location businesses, and each location page for multi location businesses.
How do I test my schema?
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Use Google's Rich Results Test or the Schema Markup Validator.
Can home based businesses use LocalBusiness schema?
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Yes, with areaServed and without publishing the home address if customers do not visit.
Does LocalBusiness schema help Google Maps?
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Maps relies on the Business Profile, but matching schema on the website supports consistent data.
Should LocalBusiness schema include a logo?
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Yes. Adding logo and image helps search engines show the right brand visuals.
Does schema improve rankings?
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Not directly, but it helps search engines understand your business and can support rich results.
Can service area businesses use it?
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Yes. Use areaServed to list regions, and include an address only if it is shown publicly.
Can I add reviews to LocalBusiness schema?
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Only for reviews collected on your own site, following Google's review snippet guidelines.
Should LocalBusiness schema be on every page?
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Place it on the home or contact page and on each location page, not every page.
Can I use LocalBusiness schema for online only businesses?
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Use Organization instead if there is no physical location or service area.
How often should LocalBusiness schema be checked?
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After any change to hours, address, phone or website templates.