If you run a business in your area, you probably use Google for most of your marketing. Most business owners have a daily checklist that includes things like getting better rankings, getting reviews, optimizing Google My Business, and showing up on Maps.

But here’s the truth that people often forget: Google isn’t the whole internet. It’s only one part of a much larger world of search.

People look for products, services, and recommendations on a lot of different platforms, and not all of them use Google’s algorithm. That’s where the next big chance is, though.

If you learn how to be where your customers are, you can reach new people, make your brand more visible, and build growth that doesn’t go away when Google changes the rules.

Let’s look into how to make that happen and how the best local SEO agency already helps local brands do well on more than just Google.

Why Google Isn’t the Only Thing Anymore

Of course, Google is still the best search engine. That’s for sure.  But the way people search is changing rapidly, and relying on Google alone isn’t enough. Many users are searching for things directly on other platforms — especially for products, reviews, services, and local businesses.

For example:

  • Amazon is where product research starts.
  • Yelp is where people write reviews of restaurants.
  • TripAdvisor is where you plan your vacation.
  • You can find video tutorials and recommendations on YouTube or TikTok.

Each of these sites has its own search engine, with its own algorithm, audience, and ways to rank things.

 Focusing solely on Google limits your reach and doesn’t guarantee conversions.

Benefits of Going Beyond Google in the Real World

  • More visitors from different groups. You don’t have to fish in the same pond as your competitors. 
  • More trust thanks to reviews and a presence in multimedia. 
  • Being able to handle changes in SEO. Your other channels keep working even when Google changes. 
  • More engagement through a variety of touchpoints. A customer might watch your YouTube video first, read your reviews next, and then buy from your website. 

Every platform is important to the customer journey.

A Quick Look at the 10 Most Popular Search Engines

Before we go on, it would be helpful to know how big the search landscape really is.

Most people use these 10 search engines the most today:

  1. Google
  2. Bing
  3. Yahoo
  4. DuckDuckGo
  5. Yandex
  6. Baidu
  7. Ecosia
  8. Ask.com
  9. YouTube
  10. Amazon (Yes, it counts!)

Each one is made for a different type of user and a different type of intent. Some are great for people who care about privacy, others for finding things visually, and some, like Amazon, for people who are ready to buy.

The best local SEO agency knows how to mix these things and makes plans based on where your ideal customers spend their time — not just what Google likes.

Optimizing Beyond Google: Platform by Platform

Let’s break down how your business can reach more people in different search engines.1. Bing and Yahoo: The Big Names That Don’t Get Enough Attention

Even though most marketers don’t pay attention to them, Bing and Yahoo still get a lot of searches — especially from professionals and older people.

 In just a few minutes, you can create a Bing Places listing and tap into an under-utilised audience with less competition.

You can get steady, low-cost traffic from this site by optimizing your metadata, photos, and business information. 

  1. Amazon: The Search Engine for Things

Outside of Google, Amazon is the best place to do SEO if you sell real things.

A9, Amazon’s internal search algorithm, ranks listings based on how relevant they are, how many reviews they have, and how many people buy them. That means:

  • Use natural keywords to make product titles and bullet points better—but avoid keyword stuffing.
  • Use multi-angle pictures that are clear and show real use.
  • Encourage reviews that are honest and consistent.
  • Choose fast, reliable fulfilment if possible — Amazon favours listings that deliver a strong, consistent customer experience.

What is the main difference? People who search on Amazon are already ready to buy. Every change you make to improve your site has a direct effect on your income.

  1. YouTube: A Place Where People Search by Watching

YouTube is more than just a place to watch videos; it’s also the second biggest search engine in the world.

People use it to find tutorials, reviews of brands, and compare products. 

Here’s how to get started:

  • Make videos that are helpful and tell a story, like “how-tos,” demos, or local highlights.
  • Use titles, timestamps, and captions that are full of keywords.
  • Promote videos across your website, email list and social to boost initial views and watch-time.
  • Put links to your booking page or website in the description.

When done right, YouTube SEO builds trust through face-to-face interaction, which is harder to do with static web pages.

  1. Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Other Local Discovery Sites

Review and map-based platforms are very important for businesses that rely on local customers, like restaurants, spas, salons, or home services.

Yelp, TripAdvisor, and even Apple Maps change how people see your business in ways that Google can’t do by itself.

For clients, the best local SEO agency focuses on the following:

  • All platforms should have the same NAP information (Name, Address, Phone).
  • Encouraging real customers to leave honest reviews (and reply to them).
  • Uploading new, geotagged pictures on a regular basis.
  • Choosing the right tags and business categories.

Each of these small changes shows that you are trustworthy — both to users and to the algorithms that run these sites.

Customers choose you when your profiles are active, accurate, and trusted..

  1. AI Assistants and Voice Search

We’re entering the age of search without hands.

Voice-based search is changing how people look for information, especially about local businesses. This is true for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

People don’t type “best pizza in Austin” anymore. They say, “Hey Siri, where’s the best pizza close to me?”

To make your site more voice-search-friendly, you should:

  • Write in a conversational style: target full-question queries and long-tail keywords.
  • Make sure your site is mobile-friendly and fast (since many voice searches happen on mobile).
  • Use schema markup.
  • Make sure that your business information is the same in all the directories that these assistants use.

It’s one of the newest and most powerful areas of SEO.

Last Thoughts

Google may be the most powerful company, but it doesn’t own everything.

Search today is broken up across apps, devices, and platforms. That’s good news for businesses in the area — it means more doors are open than ever.

If you want to keep getting new customers and stay visible, start looking into where else your audience looks.

Hire experts who know the top 10 search engines and how to make sure your business shows up on all of them. 

An experienced local SEO agency will know which channels are worth your time and how to help you grow on them.

It’s not about following one algorithm to get ahead in today’s search world. It’s about getting to know people, meeting them where they are, and being there when it matters.