"I have improved my use of schema org. I am considering turning off Rank Math local SEO since I have applied everything to the localbusiness schema. I have a question regarding WebPage vs LocalBusiness schema org. It seems that web page schema is performing better than localbusiness schema. Is there a default preference for labeling oneself as a local business? I operate locally and only do business in my area, which seems most appropriate. However, I have noticed that the top-ranking sites in larger cities than mine use WebPage schema and are highly successful."
Answer: Using both Rank Math’s local SEO features and Schema.org markup, specifically LocalBusiness, can be beneficial for local businesses, but the optimal approach isn’t universally clear-cut. While applying all necessary local business information directly to the LocalBusiness schema is a valid strategy, observations suggest that a WebPage schema might sometimes outperform LocalBusiness in terms of search engine rankings, even for businesses operating solely locally. This discrepancy may be influenced by factors beyond schema type, such as the overall quality and optimization of the website. High-ranking sites in larger cities using WebPage schema highlight that schema type alone doesn’t guarantee top rankings; other SEO elements are crucial. Therefore, experimentation and monitoring of search performance using different schema configurations are recommended to determine the most effective approach for a specific business. Simply having the correct schema isn’t a guarantee of success; the rest of your SEO strategy significantly impacts your ranking.