
If you’re a family law attorney, you already know most clients start their search for a lawyer online. According to the National Law Review, 96% of people seeking legal advice use a search engine first. That means if you’re not showing up in local search, you’re missing out on qualified leads.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and content marketing are the foundation for being found, trusted, and chosen by local clients. Moz highlights local SEO as one of the most cost-effective ways to generate inbound leads, while Clio confirms that law firms with strong online visibility convert more inquiries to paying clients.
But what actually works for family law SEO in 2025? Let’s answer the questions real attorneys are asking.
To create this guide, I pulled real questions from Reddit’s r/LawFirmSEO, Avvo, and legal marketing forums. Here’s what your peers are asking—and what works best in today’s search landscape.
Short Answer:Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP), use local keywords, and collect reviews.
Expanded:Google Maps results are powered by your GBP. Make sure your profile is claimed, fully filled out (with categories like “family law attorney,” hours, and office photos), and uses keywords such as “divorce lawyer Minneapolis” or “child custody attorney Twin Cities.”Whitespark says: “Consistent NAP (name, address, phone) across your website and legal directories is critical.”Encourage clients to leave reviews—Google weighs review quantity and quality heavily for local rankings.
Pro Tip:Link to your Google Business Profile optimization guide for step-by-step help.
Short Answer:Yes—blogging helps you rank for client questions and builds trust before they ever call.
Expanded:Clio and Moz both recommend blogging as a core SEO strategy for law firms. Blog topics like “How does child custody work in Minnesota?”, “What to expect in a divorce consultation,” or “How to prepare for mediation” answer real questions, attract organic traffic, and show your expertise.Blogging also gives you content for social media and email marketing—helping you stay top-of-mind with potential clients.
Pro Tip:Make your blogs stand out in Google’s search results by using my Schema Markup Generator to add FAQ and HowTo schema.
Short Answer:Use a mix of practice area + location keywords (“divorce lawyer Minneapolis”), long-tail questions (“how is child support calculated in MN?”), and competitor gaps.
Expanded:Start with your main services and location: “family law attorney Twin Cities,” “child custody lawyer St. Paul,” “divorce mediation Minneapolis.”Check what people are asking on Reddit, Google’s “People Also Ask,” and AnswerThePublic.SEMrush says, “Long-tail keywords have less competition and higher conversion rates for local businesses.”
Pro Tip:Test your keywords and discover new ideas with my Keyword Checker.
Short Answer:Ask every happy client, make it easy, and respond to all reviews—yes, reviews build trust and boost local rankings.
Expanded:BrightLocal found that law firms with more positive reviews rank higher and get more clicks.Send clients a direct link to your GBP review page. Respond to every review (good or bad) to show you care and are ethical.Google’s support docs confirm reviews are a ranking factor for Maps.
Pro Tip:Include a “Leave Us a Review” link in your email signature and on your contact page.
Short Answer:Yes, but you need dedicated location and practice area pages with unique content for each.
Expanded:If you serve multiple cities or offer more than one legal service, create a separate page for each (e.g., “Divorce Lawyer in Bloomington,” “Child Custody Attorney in Edina”) with local testimonials, FAQs, and service details.Search Engine Journal recommends using unique content and local signals (like nearby landmarks or community involvement) to avoid duplicate content issues.
Pro Tip:Link your practice area pages together with internal links for better SEO and user experience.
How long does it take to see results from family law SEO?Most firms see early improvements in 3–6 months, with bigger gains in 6–12 months.
Do I need to blog every week?No, but consistency matters. Even 1–2 helpful posts per month can build authority and trust.
What’s the best way to track my SEO progress?Use Google Analytics, Search Console, and monthly SEO reports (like the ones I provide) to monitor rankings, traffic, and leads.
Can I do SEO myself or should I hire someone?You can start with the basics, but most attorneys see better, faster results with expert help—especially in competitive markets.
How important is mobile optimization for law firms?Critical! Over half of legal searches happen on mobile. Make sure your site loads fast and looks great on all devices.
Written by Kari Gustafson
Founder, Content Mosaic
Kari Gustafson is a digital marketing and SEO specialist based in Roseville Minnesota. With a background in account management, content strategy, and localization, Kari is passionate about helping small businesses and creative professionals grow their online presence. She brings a blend of data-driven SEO expertise and creative storytelling to every project, making it easier for service-based businesses in the Twin Cities and beyond to get found, connect, and thrive. Connect with Kari on LinkedIn