It is speculated that requests for driving directions on applications like Google Maps count as user behavior, and may indicate the popularity of a local business and thus, have some effect on rankings. See also: user behavior
What is a Driving Direction?
When a person uses map apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps and requests “how to drive to [business name or address],” the system generates driving directions. These directions show routes, distances, turn-by-turn instructions, estimated time, and alternative paths.
From a local SEO perspective, there’s speculation (though not confirmed by major search providers) that requests for driving directions can count as a user behavior signal. In your site’s current glossary, you note:
“It is speculated that requests for driving directions on applications like Google Maps count as user behavior, and may indicate the popularity of a local business and thus, have some effect on rankings.”
If driving directions are indeed a user behavior metric, they may contribute to how search engines assess which businesses deserve higher local visibility—since higher direction requests suggest real (offline) interest.
That said, we should treat the “ranking effect” link as hypothesis rather than fact. The core value of optimizing for driving directions lies in improving user experience: making it easy for customers to reach your location enhances trust, foot traffic, and conversions. Ensuring your address is accurate, maps listing is claimed, and directions work correctly is foundational.
There’s no confirmed evidence, but they may be used by search engines as a behavioral signal. The main impact is on user experience and local business visibility.
Make sure your address is precise in your business listings (Google Business Profile, Apple Maps, etc.), check that map markers are correct, and verify that route services find you easily.
When users request “directions to [business],” it’s more valuable, because it shows intent to visit. Generic route searches may carry less weight.