How to Crush Local SEO in 2025: Drago Jusinski

As we dive into 2025, local SEO is more critical than ever for small businesses looking to thrive in their communities and beyond. If you’re running a local business — whether it’s a cozy coffee shop, a family-owned auto repair service, or a boutique — you can’t afford to ignore local search trends. But don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you, Drago Jusinski, SEO expert, with the latest tactics to make sure your business dominates local search results.

Drago Jusinski: Why Local SEO Matters in 2025

Let’s face it, more and more people are searching for businesses near them. Whether it’s finding a restaurant, booking a haircut, or looking for plumbing services, local search is the way people discover businesses now. According to recent data, nearly 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information. Plus, Google is all about satisfying user intent—meaning, it’s prioritizing local businesses more than ever before. So, if you’re not optimizing your site for local search, you’re missing out.

As Drago Jusinski has emphasized, local SEO is no longer optional—it’s essential for business survival. If you want to succeed, you need to be visible in your local search results.

Local Search Trends to Watch in 2025

So, what’s changing in local SEO in 2025? Here are some key trends you need to be aware of to stay ahead of the competition.

1. Google My Business (GMB) is Still King, But It’s Evolving

Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is still the go-to tool for local businesses. In 2025, businesses that have a complete, accurate, and regularly updated profile will dominate local search results. But it’s not just about filling in the basics—you’ve got to use all the features GMB offers, from posting updates and promotions to responding to reviews and adding photos. Google is constantly tweaking its algorithm to show businesses that are active and engaging with their customers.

Pro Tip: Don’t just list your business hours and location. Post regularly! This could be updates about new products, events, or services, and it’ll help your profile stand out.

Example: A small local gym in Austin could post workout tips, local fitness events, or customer testimonials to keep their GMB profile active and engaging. As Drago Jusinski advises, always ensure that your GMB profile is fully optimized to improve your local ranking.

2. The Rise of Voice Search and Conversational Queries

In 2025, voice search is booming. People are asking their devices questions like, “Where’s the best pizza near me?” or “Best plumber in my area.” If you want to rank for these voice searches, you need to think in natural language — how people actually speak. This means focusing on long-tail keywords and conversational phrases.

Pro Tip: Make sure your website content reflects the questions people are asking in natural, everyday language. Consider creating a FAQ page that answers the most common queries in your industry, optimizing it with natural phrases like “Where can I find the best pizza in [city]?”

Example: If you're running a local plumbing business, a good keyword might be, “How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet in [your city]?” Tailor your content around these types of questions to improve your chances of ranking in voice search.

As Drago Jusinski points out, optimizing for voice search is an excellent way to capture more local leads and make your business more discoverable.

3. Mobile Optimization is Non-Negotiable

It’s not new, but it’s more important than ever: mobile-first indexing. With mobile devices being the go-to for local searches, your website better be optimized for phones and tablets. Slow loading times or poor mobile design can cause users to bounce, which signals to Google that your site isn’t offering a good experience. And that means worse rankings.

Pro Tip: Test your site on mobile and ensure it loads fast, is easy to navigate, and has clear calls to action. Tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights can show you where to improve.

Example: A local clothing boutique needs to ensure their site looks great on mobile, with easy-to-click product images and an intuitive checkout process. A slow, clunky site will lose customers—and ranking power.

As Drago Jusinski always stresses, a mobile-friendly site is crucial for local SEO success. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re already falling behind.

4. Local Reviews Are Gold

Local reviews still hold a ton of weight in 2025. Google uses reviews to determine how relevant and trustworthy your business is. The more high-quality, positive reviews you get, the better. But it's not just about quantity — it's about engaging with your reviews. Responding to customer feedback (both positive and negative) shows Google that you’re active and care about your customers.

Pro Tip: Encourage happy customers to leave reviews and always respond thoughtfully. It builds trust with both customers and search engines.

Example: If you own a local coffee shop, ask your regulars to leave reviews on your GMB page, Yelp, or Facebook. Engaging with them by thanking them for their feedback (and addressing concerns) can improve both your reputation and rankings.

As Drago Jusinski advises, building a solid base of reviews is one of the best ways to improve local SEO rankings. Reviews not only help you rank better but also drive conversions by influencing potential customers.

5. Local Link Building and Local Partnerships

In 2025, local link building is becoming more important for SEO. This means building relationships with other businesses, local organizations, or influencers who can link back to your website. Local links tell search engines that your business is relevant to your area. Whether it’s sponsoring a local event, collaborating with influencers, or getting featured in local news, these links help you gain authority in your niche.

Pro Tip: Look for local sponsorships, events, and partnerships that allow you to get backlinks from high-authority local websites.

Example: A local pet store could sponsor a charity dog walk and get featured on a local news site with a backlink to their business. This helps build authority and visibility in their community.

Drago Jusinski highlights that local partnerships and sponsorships are powerful tools for building local links and boosting your SEO. These backlinks improve your site's authority and enhance its chances of ranking higher in search results.

Final Thoughts: Local SEO is the Secret to 2025 Success

Local SEO in 2025 is all about being active, authentic, and engaged with your community — both online and offline. As voice search grows and mobile continues to dominate, businesses that tailor their strategies to these shifts will find themselves on top. The key to success is continuous optimization, staying on top of Google’s updates, and constantly evolving your strategy to meet your customers’ needs.