There’s really only one remaining SEO hack in 2025. When I say hack, I mean something you can do easily that isn’t obvious and gives you a big advantage.
Back when I started SEO in 2009, the entire game was nothing but hacks. Over time, Google has gotten smarter, and now almost all those hacks have stopped working except for this one: having search terms you want to rank for in the name of your business.
It’s actually frustrating how huge an advantage this gets you. In my experience, it’s the only way to reliably outrank competitors that are orders of magnitude bigger than you.
Why This SEO Hack Still Works
The reason this tactic remains so powerful comes down to Google’s inability to distinguish intent. If your business name is “Solar Energy Company” and someone goes to Google and types “solar energy company,” how is Google supposed to know if the user is searching for your brand by name or just looking for any solar energy company?
Google’s local algorithm treats an exact name match as a very strong relevancy signal. The search engine essentially interprets your business name as the exact result the user wants.
This confusion benefits businesses with keyword-rich names. Even modern AI algorithms haven’t solved this issue. It has been impossible for current AI systems to distinguish between a brand search and a generic search when the business name contains the target keywords.
The Dramatic Impact on Rankings
The results from this tactic can be immediate and substantial. Whitespark’s experiments demonstrate just how powerful this approach can be. When they added “SEO Company Edmonton” to their listing name, their ranking jumped from unranked to #6 for that search literally overnight.
The data shows even more dramatic examples. One small business owner reported: “I added my city to my GMB name and my GMB ranking moved from position 28 to number 5, overnight… It works!”
This is one of the few ways a local mom-and-pop business can outdo a national chain in local search. Because Google interprets the search as a brand query for that exact name, a tiny business can dominate larger competitors who haven’t used this factor.
Google’s Rules and the Risks
Here’s where things get tricky. Google’s official guidelines are clear: your profile name must reflect your real-world business name, exactly as it appears on your storefront, website, and licenses.
The guidelines explicitly forbid “including unnecessary information in your business name,” warning that doing so “isn’t permitted and could result in suspension.”
However, enforcement has been inconsistent. Many businesses have stuffed their Google Business Profile names with locations and services for years without penalty. Still, the risk is real. Recent algorithm updates and manual reviews have led to suspensions of keyword-rich names.
How to Implement This Hack Properly
If you have an existing business, you can get some benefit by changing the title of your Google Business Profile. This technically breaks Google’s terms of service, but enforcement has been minimal so far.
For the full benefit, you need the keywords in your actual business name. Every time you’re mentioned online, every time someone talks about you, every time someone links to your website using your business name, you’re associating your brand with the terms you’re trying to rank for.
The legitimate workaround is using a formal DBA (Doing Business As) or rebranding. You can add location names into your business name via a DBA and prove to Google it’s legitimate if they take action.
Without proper documentation, just adding words to your profile is risky. You need to update everything: signage, website, citations, and business licenses to match the new name.
Impact on Related Search Terms
A key bonus of this tactic is its “halo effect” on similar queries. Whitespark’s experiment showed that all related search terms jumped, not just the exact phrase.
If you optimize for “SEO Company Edmonton,” you’ll also see improvements for related searches like “Edmonton SEO company” and “SEO services Edmonton.” Your primary keyword in the name signals relevance for related searches, too.
This effectively broadens your footprint across many keyword variations, reinforcing your presence for a whole topic area rather than a single word.
The Future of This SEO Tactic
It’s possible that smarter search algorithms could erode this advantage over time. Modern AI-driven search increasingly understands user intent from natural language queries.
People no longer just type “plumber Denver.” They ask full questions that AI interprets, like “Find an emergency plumber near me.” AI models focus on the underlying need, not just surface keywords.
In theory, a sophisticated system could learn to recognize that “Denver Plumber Co.” is saying the same thing as “plumber in Denver” and might downplay the artificial trick.
Google has neutralized similar hacks in the past once enough spammers exploited them. As voice search and generative AI become mainstream, it’s reasonable to expect that search quality improvements may eventually reduce this gap.
However, as of 2025, this hack remains highly effective. Google continues to reward exact-name matches in local search results.
Should You Rebrand Your Business?
Rebranding your entire company is a big decision. On the upside, a keyword-rich name permanently ties your brand to that term. Whitespark found a client who legally changed its business name to include a primary keyword, saw a 31% jump in local visibility across dozens of locations.
The downsides are significant. A major rebrand requires time, money, and risks confusing customers. Generic or descriptive names can backfire in real-world marketing. You may receive other companies’ negative reviews or misdirected calls since customers assume you’re part of a chain.
A keyword-based name is also generic and forgettable, making trademarking nearly impossible. You lose the chance to build a memorable, distinctive brand.
If you’re starting a new company or willing to rebrand, it’s worth considering. Just remember, we don’t know what the future looks like. Super intelligent AI might eventually make this tactic look as outdated as naming your company “AAA Garage Doors.”
Conclusion
While most SEO hacks have been eliminated by Google’s increasingly sophisticated algorithms, embedding target keywords in your business name remains remarkably effective. It’s the only reliable way for small businesses to compete with much larger competitors in local search.
The key is implementing this tactic properly. Use a legitimate DBA or formal rebrand rather than simply adding keywords to your Google Business Profile. This ensures you stay within Google’s guidelines while maximizing the SEO benefit.
As AI continues to evolve, this advantage may eventually disappear. But for now, it’s still the most powerful SEO hack available to small businesses willing to use it strategically.
Ready to implement advanced SEO strategies for your business? Contact TJ Digital today to learn how we can help you dominate local search results with cutting-edge AI optimization techniques.