Charleston Local Search Field Study 2026

Methodology

On September 25, 2026, SC Marketing & AI captured one desktop Google result set for each of 5 commercial-intent Charleston queries. The sample covered plumbing, HVAC repair, roofing contractors, electricians and dentists. We recorded the first three local-pack results when a pack appeared and the first 10 organic results.

Search-volume, CPC and advertiser-competition estimates came from DataForSEO keyword data for the United States. Review counts and ratings came from the local-pack elements returned in the captured result set. Page-type observations use the ranking URL, separating company homepages from non-homepage company URLs and third-party or community platforms.

Important: this is a cross-sectional field study, not a controlled ranking experiment and not a client performance claim. Results vary by location, device, personalization and time. Correlation does not establish that reviews, links or page type caused a position.

Query-by-query observations

The table publishes the inputs and observed counts behind the conclusions. “Not returned” is kept distinct from zero.

Finding 1: review strength and map visibility moved together, but not perfectly

Across 15 Charleston pack positions, the median review count was 678. The position-one business had the largest review count in 4 of 5 comparable packs.

Owner takeaway: create a steady, policy-compliant review process and respond thoughtfully, but also keep the business profile, services, categories, website destinations and real operating information aligned.

Finding 2: page one is an ecosystem, not just ten company websites

Third-party or community sources held 16 of 50 observed organic positions. Among 34 company-owned results, 11 of 34 used a non-homepage URL.

Owner takeaway: the website remains essential, but discovery also happens through review sites, trade directories, social communities and editorial lists. Build accurate public information and earn legitimate mentions rather than treating every outside result as an enemy.

Connect this market to the statewide evidence

This city report is one slice of the same controlled sample. The statewide report adds the cross-market review analysis, eight-query AI-answer test and eight-domain authority comparison.

Paid-search implication: expensive clicks need better destinations

The Charleston keyword rows with returned data represented approximately 4,380 combined monthly searches. Median estimated CPC was $20.20, and the highest observed estimate was $45.21.

One desktop snapshot cannot measure total ad activity, and no paid-text result was captured in these specific snapshots. The auction estimates still show why campaigns need narrow targeting, relevant landing pages and tracked calls or forms before budgets expand.

Limitations and responsible interpretation

• One result capture per query is a snapshot, not a permanent ranking.
• The United States location setting and explicit city names improve consistency but do not reproduce every searcher’s exact coordinates.
• Review count, page type and referring domains are descriptive variables; this study does not isolate causation.
• Search-volume and CPC figures are estimates and can change.
• AI answers can vary between sessions and may change without notice.
• No business paid to be included, and the sample does not evaluate service quality.