Google Maps rankings in Canada follow the same core algorithm as the Local Pack — relevance, distance, and prominence — but Maps queries weight distance even more heavily than Pack queries. A 'coffee near me' Maps search returns results sharply biased toward physical proximity to the searcher's GPS location. This means that for many Canadian businesses, Maps ranking is largely determined by where you have a physical address, with optimization affecting which businesses within a radius rank above each other. The optimization checklist for Canadian Maps ranking: (1) Complete every field on your Google Business Profile, including services, products, attributes, and Q&A; (2) Verify with a real Canada Post-formatted address — postcode in the proper format, suite number using Canadian conventions, province abbreviation correct; (3) Set primary category to the most specific accurate option, with secondary categories covering all genuine service lines; (4) Upload geotagged photos showing the exterior, interior, team, and work product, with monthly fresh additions; (5) Earn 5–10 fresh Google reviews per month indefinitely; (6) Ensure NAP consistency across Canadian directories — exact same business name, phone format, address format; (7) Acquire backlinks from Canadian sources — .ca domains, regional media, trade associations, municipal websites. For multi-location Canadian businesses (chains, franchises, multi-office firms): each location needs its own properly verified GBP listing with location-specific reviews, photos, and citation profile. Service-area businesses (those serving customers at customer locations rather than at a storefront) should use the service-area business setting and define service areas using Canadian postal-code-area conventions. The under-utilized Maps ranking lever for Canadian businesses: Q&A management. Most Canadian SMBs don't proactively populate the Questions & Answers section. Adding 8–15 anticipated buyer questions with thorough answers signals to Google that your listing is actively managed and provides query-matching content for long-tail Maps queries.