Search vs Social: How People Actually Find Your Hauling Business Online

Why most junk haulers stay invisible online—and how to finally get found by people who are ready to book right now.

TL;DR

Most haulers post on Facebook and hope the phone rings.
That’s “visibility,” but it’s not search visibility.

There are two kinds of online visibility:

1. Search Visibility – places where people go to look for help (Google, YouTube, maps, Nextdoor). If you’re not there, you’re invisible when money is on the table.
2. Presence Visibility – places where people hang out (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok). Good for staying top-of-mind, not great for getting found by strangers who are ready to book.

If you want more jobs from people searching online, you need to build search visibility first:

• Have a simple website with real words, not fluff
• Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile (even if you work from home)
• Show up on YouTube (even basic videos)
• Use Nextdoor as a local traffic booster
• Post answers and how-tos on places like Reddit/Quora when you can

Facebook, Instagram, etc. are still useful — but think of them as relationship tools, not the main engine that brings in cold new customers.

Let’s Start With a Simple Picture

Imagine this:

You park your dump truck on a busy main road where people drive when they’re heading to the landfill or Home Depot.
You park another truck in the back of a quiet side street.

Which truck gets seen more?

• The one on the main road is search visibility
• The one on the side street is presence visibility

Both trucks exist.
Both trucks are “technically visible.”
But only one is in the path of people who are already on a mission.

Online works the same way.
You can be “visible” on Facebook and still be basically invisible when someone types “junk removal near me” into Google.

Two Kinds of Visibility (and Why Most Haulers Mix Them Up)

1. Search Visibility – When People Are Actively Looking for Help

This is when someone:

• Just cleaned out a basement
• Just finished a small renovation
• Just got a city violation for junk in the yard
• Just inherited a house full of stuff

And they go online and type:

“junk removal near me”
“dumpster rental [your town]”
“how to get rid of old couch”

These people are not scrolling for entertainment.
They want help right now.

The places that matter here are:

• Google Search
• Google Maps / Business Profile
• YouTube search
• Nextdoor
• Sometimes Reddit/Quora if they’re searching for advice

If you’re not planted in these spots, you’re not even in the running when the money shows up.

2. Presence Visibility – When People Just See You Around

This is:

• When people see your posts on Facebook
• When they see your Instagram stories
• When your TikTok pops up
• When they see you tagged in a local group

This is good for:

• Being remembered later
• Getting occasional referrals
• Staying top-of-mind

But it’s not the same as being in front of someone the moment they search.

Scrolling is not the same as searching.
One is “kill time.”
The other is “solve a problem.”

Platforms That Actually Help You Get Found in Search

Let’s break down the ones that matter most for haulers.

1. Your Website – Your Online Yard

You don’t need a fancy website. You just need:

• A clear homepage
• Your services
• Your service area
• Your phone number and a form
• Some basic pages that answer common questions

Google still looks at websites as your main home base.
Every time you write a helpful page or blog post (“How much does junk removal cost?” “Dumpster vs junk removal – which is better?”), you’re laying down more “roads” that lead back to you.

2. Google Business Profile – Your Online Yard Sign

This is the box that shows up on Google Maps when someone searches “junk removal near me.”

If you don’t have one:

• You’re missing easy jobs
• You’re missing reviews
• You’re missing map visibility

“But I don’t have a shop or office.”

No problem. You can:

• Use your home address
• Mark the listing as a Service Area Business
• Hide your address so people don’t see your house
• Set your service towns instead

Then:

• Add photos of your truck, crew, before/afters
• Ask every happy customer for a review
• Post short updates (“We’re booking 10-yard dumpsters in [town] this week,” etc.)

This alone can move the needle in a big way.

3. YouTube – The Silent Salesman

YouTube is a search engine.
People go there and type:

• “how to get rid of old shed”
• “junk removal business advice”
• “what size dumpster do I need”

Simple videos like:

• “What size dumpster you need for a bathroom demo”
• “3 things to know before you hire a junk removal company”
• “How we price junk removal jobs in [your city]”

…can show up in both YouTube search and Google search.

You don’t have to be a YouTuber.
You just need to be helpful.

4. Nextdoor – Hyper-Local Search Visibility

Nextdoor gets used a lot by:

• Homeowners
• Landlords
• Neighborhood groups

People post things like:

“Anyone know a good junk removal company?”
“Need a dumpster recommendation.”

If you:

• Set up a business profile
• Answer questions
• Share helpful posts occasionally

…you’ll be one of the few pros actually visible there.

5. LinkedIn, Medium, Reddit, Quora – Optional but Powerful

These are more “bonus” search helpers, especially if you want to be:

• The hauler other haulers look up to
• The business that grows into other markets
• The owner who sells one day and has a personal brand

They rank well in Google for how-to, business, and advice-type search terms.

For most haulers, I’d start with:

1. Website
2. Google Business Profile
3. YouTube
4. Nextdoor

Then layer in these others if you enjoy writing or teaching.

So Where Does Facebook Fit In?

Facebook is still valuable. It just plays a different role.

Think of Facebook like this:

• It reminds people you exist
• It lets your customers tag you
• It helps your name float around the local community
• It gives proof (photos, reviews, posts) when someone “looks you up”

But your Facebook posts themselves do NOT do much for Google search.

They’re more like word-of-mouth with pictures.
Powerful, but different.

Use Facebook to:

• Build trust
• Show your work
• Share reviews
• Stay top-of-mind

Use Google + website + YouTube + Nextdoor to:

• Catch people in the act of searching
• Show up when they’re ready to buy

A Simple Weekly Plan You Can Actually Stick To

Here’s what this could look like in real life:

Step 1 – One Core Piece Each Week

Pick one topic:

• “How I price junk removal jobs fairly”
• “Why we charge a minimum fee”
• “Dumpster vs junk removal – which is better for you?”

Write a short article for your website (or have someone help you).

Step 2 – Turn That One Piece Into Search Visibility

From that article:

• Pull out short lines and add them as a Google Business Profile post
• Film a short rough video talking through the same content and upload to YouTube
• Make a quick Nextdoor post offering advice and linking back to your site (if allowed)

If you’re up for seconds:

• Share a short, friendly version on Facebook

That’s it.

One core idea → multiple touchpoints in places people search.

FAQs

Q: I don’t have a website. Can I still show up in search?

You can show up a little with just a Google Business Profile, but:

• A website gives you way more chances to rank
• It lets you answer questions that customers are Googling
• It makes you look established and legit

You don’t need something fancy. A simple, clean site is enough.

Q: I run my business from home. Can I still have a Google Business Profile?

Yes.

You:

1. Use your home address to verify
2. Mark yourself as a Service Area Business
3. Hide your address so your street doesn’t show
4. Set the towns/cities you serve

Lots of haulers, plumbers, and contractors do this.

Q: Does Facebook help my SEO or not?

Not in the classic “rank on Google for keywords” way.

Your posts usually don’t rank in Google search.

But Facebook does help with:

• Social proof
• People checking you out after finding you on Google
• Being remembered by locals
• Getting tagged in local groups

So it’s useful — just not your main SEO engine.

Q: I hate writing. How do I do any of this?

Keep it simple:

• Talk into your phone like you’re explaining the job to a customer
• Have someone transcribe it
• Turn that into a short article or YouTube script
• Use those words across your website, GBP posts, and social

You don’t need perfect grammar.
You need honest, clear explanations.

Q: If I can only do ONE thing right now, what should it be?

Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile, then:

• Add good photos
• Get reviews
• Post short updates weekly

After that, the next best move is a simple website.

If you’re reading this and thinking:

“I’ve been grinding for years and still feel invisible online…”

You’re not crazy.
You’ve just been playing in presence platforms and ignoring search platforms.

Start planting flags where people are actually looking for you.

If you ever want help mapping out a simple “search visibility” plan for your market, hit reply to this email and tell me:

• Your city
• Your services
• Your current online setup (website, GBP, social)

I’ll point you in the right direction.

Find me on LinkedIn | Instagram

or Book a 1:1 Call

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