Issues with GMB Search Results for Ontario Restaurants

Bashir S. · 2025-12-18T15:32:27.264Z

Hi Clay Team, I clicked on GMB, selected Ontario, Canada, chose "Free Text," typed "Halal Restaurants," and selected 25. 2nd and 3rd time. I selected business types, selected Ontario, Canada, and made sure I selected 25 companies to see the result. I had restaurants from all across the USA pop up in the list, and a few from Ontario, Canada. Without touching the proximity, and only choosing Ontario, Canada, is this not enough for a proper configuration?

Issues with GMB Search Results for Ontario Restaurants | Clay

12 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Clay Support
APP
·
·
The issue you're seeing is likely due to the large search radius (up to 1012 miles) shown in your screenshot. Google Maps divides large search areas into smaller circles to find results, and with such a wide radius, it's pulling businesses from across North America.
Try zooming in on the map to create a smaller, more focused search area around specific Ontario cities or regions. The more precise your geographic targeting, the more relevant your results will be. Also, consider using "Business types" instead of "Free text" for more reliable results when searching for restaurants.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Bashir S.
·
·
When we select Ontario, Canada, are you unable to lock the search to Ontario, Canada? And on that reading, it shows 41 feet, and I did not select 1012 miles.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You're right to be confused about the radius display. When you select Ontario, Canada as your location, Google Maps automatically determines the search radius based on the size of the area. The "41 feet to 1012 miles" range you're seeing is Google's way of showing the potential search coverage for such a large province.
To get more precise Ontario-only results, try zooming in on the map to focus on specific cities or regions within Ontario rather than selecting the entire province. This will create a smaller, more targeted search area and should eliminate results from the USA.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Bashir S.
·
·
Okay, selecting Ontario, Canada, does not provide the configuration I am looking for for the entire province of Ontario?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Correct - selecting "Ontario, Canada" doesn't lock the search to just the province. Google Maps integration works with radius targeting around a location point, so when you select a large area like an entire province, it creates a very wide search radius that can pull results from neighboring regions including the USA.
For province-wide coverage, you'd need to run multiple smaller searches focused on different Ontario cities/regions, then combine the results.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Does this clarify things?
Bashir S.
·
·
Okay thanks. I will try working on the radius; it's tough to move the needle around it. A small move or change can select large areas. Anyways, I will see if I can scrape it outside of Clay.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Before exploring external options, try our built-in AI tool Sculptor in the top-right corner. It can help you set up more precise Google Maps searches or suggest alternative approaches for targeting Ontario businesses.
For Google Maps searches, you can pull up to 1,000 results per search with radius targeting. The interface can be sensitive, but zooming into specific Ontario cities might give you better control than trying to cover the entire province at once.
Let me know if Sculptor helps with your setup!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help refining your search or using Sculptor for better targeting, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more about what you’re trying to achieve or any difficulties you’re facing?

Clay Support
APP
·
·
The issue you're seeing is likely due to the large search radius (up to 1012 miles) shown in your screenshot. Google Maps divides large search areas into smaller circles to find results, and with such a wide radius, it's pulling businesses from across North America.
Try zooming in on the map to create a smaller, more focused search area around specific Ontario cities or regions. The more precise your geographic targeting, the more relevant your results will be. Also, consider using "Business types" instead of "Free text" for more reliable results when searching for restaurants.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Bashir S.
·
·
When we select Ontario, Canada, are you unable to lock the search to Ontario, Canada? And on that reading, it shows 41 feet, and I did not select 1012 miles.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You're right to be confused about the radius display. When you select Ontario, Canada as your location, Google Maps automatically determines the search radius based on the size of the area. The "41 feet to 1012 miles" range you're seeing is Google's way of showing the potential search coverage for such a large province.
To get more precise Ontario-only results, try zooming in on the map to focus on specific cities or regions within Ontario rather than selecting the entire province. This will create a smaller, more targeted search area and should eliminate results from the USA.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Bashir S.
·
·
Okay, selecting Ontario, Canada, does not provide the configuration I am looking for for the entire province of Ontario?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Correct - selecting "Ontario, Canada" doesn't lock the search to just the province. Google Maps integration works with radius targeting around a location point, so when you select a large area like an entire province, it creates a very wide search radius that can pull results from neighboring regions including the USA.
For province-wide coverage, you'd need to run multiple smaller searches focused on different Ontario cities/regions, then combine the results.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Does this clarify things?
Bashir S.
·
·
Okay thanks. I will try working on the radius; it's tough to move the needle around it. A small move or change can select large areas. Anyways, I will see if I can scrape it outside of Clay.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Before exploring external options, try our built-in AI tool Sculptor in the top-right corner. It can help you set up more precise Google Maps searches or suggest alternative approaches for targeting Ontario businesses.
For Google Maps searches, you can pull up to 1,000 results per search with radius targeting. The interface can be sensitive, but zooming into specific Ontario cities might give you better control than trying to cover the entire province at once.
Let me know if Sculptor helps with your setup!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help refining your search or using Sculptor for better targeting, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more about what you’re trying to achieve or any difficulties you’re facing?