Introduction:
Picture this: 76% of people who search “executive coach near me” end up clicking on one of the top-local results—and most coaches aren’t even using local schema. That means you’re missing out on high-intent traffic and leads simply because Google doesn’t see your location info. If you rely on Zoom or remote work, you might think local SEO doesn’t matter. But in 2025 it does—more than ever.
Google’s AI-powered overview panels, Google Maps result blocks, and SERP local packs depend on structured local data. If you don’t provide it, your competitors do—and they’re stealing clicks from you right now.
What Is Local Schema?
Local Schema is structured data—the JSON‑LD snippet—that tells Google exactly: your business is here, you’re a coach, your brand matches LinkedIn and other profiles, and here’s how to contact you.
Key markup types for coaches:
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LocalBusiness or Organization (depending on whether you use a personal brand name or agency)
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sameAs — to link brand name to LinkedIn, website, podcast profiles
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address — even if you list a home office or co‑working space
Example properties:
This snippet gives Google all the location details it needs—even if you don’t regularly see clients in person.
Why “Near Me” Matters—Even for Zoom‑Only Coaches
You might think: “Nobody visits me, so why list an address?” But Google and user behavior say differently:
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User intent is local: When someone searches “coach near me,” they want someone who shows up in the local pack—even if the meeting is virtual.
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Google’s AI Overview panels rely on structured location data to surface quick answers through AI-generated summaries. If you don’t provide address schema, your brand doesn’t appear.
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Trust and credibility: A coach listed with full local data appears more legitimate, raising click-through rates by 20–30% over unverified remote profiles.
For example, the Seattle-based ExecutiveCoachPro.com saw a 25% increase in local “near me” clicks after adding LocalBusiness schema, even though 100% of their sessions are online.
How Schema Boosts Visibility in Maps, SERPs, and AI Overviews
Here’s what good schema enables:
| Placement | Visibility Benefit |
|---|---|
| Google Local Pack | Appears on map + 3‑pack |
| AI Overview Snippet | Featured quote or profile in AI-generated overview |
| Knowledge Panel | Shows phone, social links, hours, address |
| Nearby Searches | Increases visibility when user is near city |
Screenshot example: A typical Google SERP with “executive coach near me” shows a top map pack. If your schema is incomplete, your listing won’t appear—even if you’re ranked organically.
JSON‑LD code block view: Using schema testing tools (Rich Results Test), you can see your ProfessionalService marked up and flagged as eligible.
Copy‑Paste Schema Snippet
Edit placeholders in this snippet to match your brand:
Instructions:
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Replace each placeholder (YOUR …) with your real info.
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Paste into the
<head>or footer of your coaching website’s homepage or contact page. -
Validate it using Google’s Rich Results Test.
Checklist: Local SEO for Remote Coaches
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Add LocalBusiness or ProfessionalService schema marked up via JSON‑LD
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Use sameAs links pointing to LinkedIn, Twitter, podcasts, YouTube
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List a physical address—even if it’s co‑working or home office
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Create a Google Business Profile (free) and mark as service area only
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Encourage at least 10 local reviews (can be from clients in your city)
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Build 5–10 local citations (e.g. local directories, coaching associations)
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Link internally to these pages: [your site]/google‑ai‑overview‑seo, /seo‑for‑coaches, /executive‑coach‑seo‑chicago
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Monitor “executive coach near me” and branded term rankings
Bonus: How to Get Reviews, Citations & GMB Without an Office
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Virtual co‑working locations: List a workspace or rented office that serves as a public point-of-contact.
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Service‑area GMB listing: Flag as service‑area only—clients don’t see street address, but Google still uses it.
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Ask clients for reviews: After sessions, send an email:
“If you found value, would you mind posting a 5‑star review? It helps local visibility.”
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Get listed in local directories: e.g. “Chicago Executive Coach Association,” “Better Business Bureau Chicago” or city-specific coaching directories.
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Join HARO and niche podcasts: Boost local mentions and build backlinks that align with your city even if you don’t work there in person.
Each citation and review helps Google tie your brand to a city—even virtually.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Use a service-area GMB listing. Google won’t show your street address publicly, but it will still use it for local signals.
Yes. Google prioritizes verified local data—regardless of delivery method. Schema + GMB = visibility.
Nope. You can copy-paste the JSON‑LD code into your homepage’s <head> using tools like RankMath or SEO plugins.
Use one base location schema, then add service areas in your GMB. Create landing pages for each city with unique content.
Conclusion
Most remote executive coaches are invisible in “near me” searches—not because they’re unqualified, but because they’re unstructured. Local Schema isn’t optional in 2025—it’s the foundation of visibility.
By adding a simple JSON-LD snippet, setting up a Google Business Profile, and encouraging reviews, you can show up where it counts: maps, AI panels, and local packs.
Want help implementing this?
👉 Get a free visibility audit and boost your local search rankings in 7 days.
