If you’re running an HVAC business in Chandler (or anywhere really) and you’re not showing up in the top 3 Google results with a map next to them — you're invisible to the people who are ready to book right now.
That box at the top of the search page, with three companies listed next to a map and a “Call” button? That’s called the Google Map Pack, and it’s the #1 place your customers are clicking when they need AC repair, heating service, or a full system install. If you're not in it, you're missing out on the easiest, most qualified leads you could ever get.
The Map Pack isn’t just another SEO trick — it’s local marketing gold. Ranking there means more phone calls, more form submissions, and fewer dry spells in your schedule. But the reality is: most HVAC contractors either don’t show up in the Map Pack at all, or they show up inconsistently and don’t know why.
In this guide, I’m going to show you exactly how the Map Pack works, why it’s different from regular Google rankings, and how your HVAC company can crack the top 3 — and stay there.
What Is the Google Map Pack (And Why Should HVAC Companies Care)?
The Map Pack is the section that appears above organic search results whenever someone types in a local query — like “AC repair near me” or “HVAC Chandler.” It shows three business listings, usually with:
- A map preview
- Business name and reviews
- Service category
- Location
- Phone number or “Call” button
- Operating hours
For home services like HVAC, this is where 80%+ of clicks happen — especially on mobile. People don’t scroll past it. They don’t even check websites half the time. They pick one of the three listings and hit “Call.”
That’s why ranking in the Map Pack isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s survival. The difference between being in the top 3 vs. being in spot #4 is the difference between a full calendar and wondering where the next job is coming from.
But unlike normal SEO, Map Pack ranking follows a different algorithm. It’s not just about who has the best content or fastest site — it’s about proximity, profile quality, and trust signals. That means you could be outranked by someone with a worse website… just because their Google Business Profile is dialed in and yours isn’t.
Is It Really That Big of a Deal?
Yes — and here's why.
Imagine someone’s AC breaks down in Chandler at 3pm. They’re hot, annoyed, and typing “emergency AC repair near me” into their phone. Are they going to scroll past the Map Pack? No. They’re picking the first business with solid reviews and a working phone number.
Now multiply that by dozens or hundreds of local searches per week — all flowing through the Map Pack. If you’re not showing up there, you’re invisible when it matters most. Worse, you’re handing those leads to competitors who aren’t even better than you — they’re just easier to find.
The good news? Most HVAC companies don’t do this right. They think claiming their Google Business Profile is enough. It’s not. Which means if you do the next few things right, you can leapfrog them — even if they’ve been in business longer or have a bigger site.
How to Rank in the Google Map Pack as an HVAC Company
If you want to show up in the Map Pack, you need to prove to Google that your business is:
- Legit
- Local
- Trusted
And that goes way beyond just claiming your Google Business Profile.
Step 1: Fully Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Most HVAC companies set up their profile once and never touch it again. Google notices that. And the businesses that keep their listings active, complete, and consistent are the ones that win.
Start by making sure every field is filled out with accurate, consistent info. That means your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should match your website exactly — down to the punctuation. Use your real business name. Don’t keyword stuff it with “AC Repair Chandler AZ” unless it’s legally your name (Google might suspend it).
Set your primary category to HVAC contractor, and add additional categories like “Air conditioning repair service” or “Heating contractor” if you offer those too. Your hours should reflect when you're actually available, and you should post real photos — of your team, your vans, your jobs — not stock images.
Make updates to your profile regularly. Post once a week, respond to reviews, and update your services list when it changes. Google likes fresh activity. It rewards it with visibility.
Step 2: Get Consistent, Real Reviews (and Respond to Every One)
Reviews are a massive Map Pack ranking signal. Not just how many you have, but how recent they are, what keywords they include, and how you respond.
If your last review was from six months ago, you’re signaling to Google (and customers) that your business is stale. If your reviews never mention “AC repair” or “HVAC install,” you’re not reinforcing the keywords you want to rank for.
Start asking for reviews after every job. The best way is a quick text with a Google review link. Don’t script it — just ask them to mention what service you did and what city they’re in. That way, you naturally build keyword relevance.
And always respond. Google tracks owner replies. Thank them, reinforce the keyword, and keep it natural. For example:
“Thanks so much for the kind words, Jason! Glad we could help with your AC repair in Tempe. Don’t hesitate to call us again if anything comes up!”
That tiny reply just helped your Chandler or Tempe ranking.
Step 3: Build Citations and Local Directory Listings
Google uses other websites to verify that your business exists and is active in your area. These are called citations, and they usually come from local business directories like:
- Yelp
- Nextdoor
- Angi
- HomeAdvisor
- Chamber of Commerce listings
- Bing Places
- Local blogs
The trick is consistency. Your NAP needs to match your website and your GBP exactly across all these platforms. If one says “Ste. 100” and another says “Suite 100,” that can weaken your trust score in Google's eyes.
You don’t need hundreds. Start with 10–20 high-quality listings that are relevant and local. Tools like BrightLocal or Whitespark can help you find and fix inconsistent citations, or you can do it manually if you want to stay lean.
Step 4: Increase Proximity and Relevance Without a Physical Location
Google’s local algorithm is built around three things:
- Proximity – how close your business is to the searcher
- Relevance – how well your profile matches the query
- Prominence – how well-known/trusted your business is
Proximity is tricky for HVAC contractors because you’re not usually working out of a storefront. Maybe you have a home office. Maybe you serve 10 cities but only have one address.
You can’t fake locations — Google will penalize you if you create fake listings or PO boxes.
What you can do is build hyperlocal landing pages for every city you serve (like Chandler, Tempe, Mesa), and tie those directly to your Google Business Profile through consistent content and backlinks. This makes Google see your site and your GBP as a local authority in multiple areas — even if your actual address is only listed in one.
Adding local content to your site, using city-specific testimonials, and posting location-tagged images from job sites all help reinforce this. Even if you’re not technically “in” that city, Google sees that you’re working there — and that matters.
Step 5: Use Behavioral Signals to Your Advantage
This is where things get a little deeper. Google doesn’t just look at your content and reviews — it also watches how users interact with your listing.
If people are clicking on your profile but bouncing right away, that hurts you. If they click “Call,” read reviews, check photos, visit your site, or request directions — those are all positive signals. Google’s algorithm takes this engagement into account when deciding which businesses to rank.
So how do you increase positive behavior?
Make your listing attractive. Add fresh photos every week. Include a short service description that’s clear and compelling. Don’t write a robotic business summary — make it feel like a real human runs your business.
Even simple stuff like replying to reviews fast, having clear service categories, and including pricing or FAQs can increase the time users spend on your listing — which helps push you up the Map Pack.
Step 6: Run Local SEO Posts and Offers Through Your Profile
Google gives you the ability to post directly on your Business Profile — and very few HVAC companies use this. You should.
You can use it to:
- Share blog posts (like this one)
- Promote seasonal offers
- Announce service updates
- Show before/after photos from recent jobs
Each post sticks for about 7 days, but that’s perfect — because Google rewards businesses that update their profile consistently. Posting weekly keeps your listing fresh, and it gives you another way to inject keywords and relevance without spamming.
Make sure your posts include location tags (e.g. “Now booking installs in Chandler, AZ”) and use high-quality, real photos whenever possible. Stock photos are fine for your website, but for GBP? Real is better.
Start Ranking in the Map Pack — We’ll Help You Get There
If you’re tired of wondering why your HVAC company doesn’t show up in local searches — this is your chance to fix it. You don’t need to be a tech expert or drop thousands on ads. You just need a real local SEO strategy that works specifically for HVAC contractors.
At Copley Digital, we specialize in helping HVAC businesses rank in the Google Map Pack, dominate their city, and get more phone calls without guessing. We’ve helped companies just like yours go from invisible to top 3 in weeks — and we can do the same for you.
Whether you’re in Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, or somewhere else in the Valley, we can help you get found and stay found.
Book a Free Strategy Call
We’ll review your Google Business Profile, website, and local rankings — then show you exactly what’s holding you back and how we can fix it.
👉 Click here to schedule your free strategy call
Want to Learn More About Local SEO?
Here are more resources to help you dominate your area:
- Why Your HVAC Website Isn’t Showing Up on Google
- HVAC SEO vs Google Ads: Which Brings in More Leads?
- What Should HVAC SEO Actually Cost in 2024?
