The key difference between SEO and local SEO lies in geographic targeting and ranking factors. Traditional SEO focuses on ranking for broader, often national or international searches without specific location intent. Local SEO targets geographically-specific queries like "plumber near me" or "restaurants in Manchester," aiming to appear in the local pack (map results) and localised organic listings. Local SEO heavily emphasises Google Business Profile optimisation, local citations, location-specific content, and reviews, whilst traditional SEO prioritises broader content authority and backlink profiles. Local SEO success depends more on proximity, consistent NAP information, and local signals, whereas traditional SEO focuses on domain authority and content comprehensiveness. Businesses serving specific geographic areas need local SEO, whilst those serving customers globally prioritise traditional SEO strategies.