Dan Leibson has published his 2017 local SEO ranking factors study the other day. Dan said “the data suggests that Google, while attempting to shift to more engagement-based and locally relevant factors for its Local algorithm, is still susceptible to the traditional organic SEO tactics.”

He explained that “local and organic search algorithms are still highly interconnected.” “Ranking in local organic searches was the #1 high correlating factor with ranking in packs,” so those winning in organic search are likely to win in local organic results.

Having good and many reviews are important, but you can have low quality and low authority links and still rank well in the local results. The study went through so many factors, so if you are into local SEO, this is worth a read.