Investing in a Google Maps rank tracker is one of the better choices you can make for your SEO strategy. After all, how can you tell when your current strategy is working or needs improvement? With a rank tracker, you’ll have access to a range of useful data.
In this article, we’ll help you understand how to use rank trackers for the best results. Additionally, we’ll share the basics of how they work. This information will empower you to improve the quality of your organic search rankings in Google Maps.
Keep reading for how a Google Map rank tracker can help and the best practices.
Table of Contents
Google Maps Rank Trackers: What Are They?
A Google Maps rank tracker is a tool that monitors and reports a business’s ranking in local search engines. It tracks keywords, locations, and map pack positions to show where a business stands compared to competitors in specific areas.
Overall, by analyzing these rankings, businesses can understand their local visibility. Hence, they can optimize for better placement and address factors affecting their performance.
Such tools are especially useful for businesses reliant on local traffic and their online presence. Top examples include restaurants, shops, and service providers. That’s because they provide insights to improve rankings and increase customer reach in targeted locations.
How Does a Google Maps Rank Tracker Work?
Do you want to use a rank tracker for Google Maps but are not sure how they work? Then, we’ll share the main technologies and features at play. This will help you understand how to start using the tool from day one.
Keyword Monitoring
These tools allow businesses to select specific keywords relevant to their services or products. The keywords are usually what potential customers type into Google when searching for local businesses.
The rank tracker then monitors where the business appears on Google Maps for these chosen keywords. Overall, by tracking multiple keywords, businesses gain insights into which terms drive visibility and where you need to make improvements.
This monitoring helps them tailor SEO and marketing strategies for better rankings across various keywords. This ensures they are visible to local customers searching for their services.
Location-Based Tracking
Rank checkers let businesses check their Google Maps ranking in different exact locations. This is often down to precise neighborhoods or zip codes, and it’s crucial since Google Maps results vary widely based on the searcher’s location.
Make sure to analyze rankings across multiple areas. This allows businesses to identify where they have strong visibility. Such localized tracking provides granular insights, thereby enabling more targeted local SEO strategies to capture attention in priority locations.
Competitor Analysis
Most rank trackers often provide insights into how a business ranks against local competitors. You should analyze the visibility of competitors for the same keywords and locations. Hence, you can identify top competitors and areas where they lag behind. It’s a great way to uncover new opportunities to get ahead.
Furthermore, understanding competitor strategies helps businesses adjust their approach to gain an edge. This enables strategic decisions, which allows businesses to optimize their presence where competitors are currently dominating.
Performance Tracking Over Time
A core feature of Google Maps rank trackers is the ability to monitor ranking changes over time. Therefore, businesses can observe trends and shifts in their Google Maps position. It’s handy for identifying factors that affect their visibility positively or negatively.
Additionally, the long-term data helps businesses assess the impact of changes in their SEO strategies. For instance, after new marketing efforts or external factors like algorithm updates.
Achieving rankings on Google Maps is a long-term game, so this feature is applicable. You’ll need to check back at regular intervals, thereby making sure that you have up-to-date location data.
Map Pack Visibility
The map pack is the prominent set of three Google Maps results shown for local searches. This is often where businesses get the most exposure. Rank trackers specifically monitor whether a business appears in this map pack, as it can significantly increase clicks and visits.
Furthermore, tracking visibility shows how often a business is among the top results. When visibility is poor, it highlights areas for improvement. Consistent monitoring of map pack presence helps businesses understand their competitive position.
What Data To Expect From Local Search Rank Trackers
Google Maps rank trackers provide essential data to optimize local SEO strategies. They track a business’s position for specific keywords in local searches. This shows variations across devices and proximity ranges.
The tools reveal how a business ranks relative to competitors, analyze trends over time, and highlight areas for improvement. Furthermore, they often include insights into customer reviews, engagement metrics, and profile optimization factors.
You can also track performance across multiple locations. Therefore, rank trackers help businesses adjust strategies to boost visibility and customer reach. In practice, the data you get somewhat depends on the specific rank tracking tool you have chosen. You will need to include the budget for these tools in your local SEO cost.
Tracking Local Search Ranking in Google Maps: 4 Best Practices
Now, let’s turn our attention to the best practices that will help us get the most out of tracking Google Maps. Business owners can apply these strategies to get ahead of the competition. Some of these tips you can implement right away, while others take a lot more time.
1. Optimize Google Business Profile
Complete and regularly update your Google Business Profile with accurate contact details, categories, services, and images. Additionally, include keywords relevant to your business in descriptions, but avoid keyword stuffing. This can lead to giving you a penalty from Google and lead to a poor user experience (UX).
Additionally, consistent updates build credibility with Google, thereby improving your ranking. You’ll need to constantly encourage reviews and engage with customers to show activity. This enhances your business’s visibility.
2. Automate Rank Tracking Alerts
Automate alerts in your rank tracking tool to receive notifications about significant changes. Alerts do a good job of helping you stay informed without constant manual checks. This allows you to respond promptly to shifts caused by algorithm changes or competitor actions.
Furthermore, timely notifications let you act quickly to protect your ranking and address potential drops. This is especially true when you are trying to make a name for your business in a competitive niche.
3. Choose the Right Rank Tracker
Selecting the right rank tracker for local search is essential. Ideally, look for features that track keyword rankings specifically on Google Maps or the Local Pack. You’ll also want to allow setting different locations to capture position changes accurately.
Tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, and Whitespark excel in local SEO tracking. That’s because they offer real-time insights into map-based search placements. Furthermore, choose trackers that update frequently and include mobile and desktop versions, since rankings can differ.
4. Track Ranking by Device and Proximity
Search rankings on Google Maps vary depending on the user’s device and proximity to your business. Therefore, it makes sense for many rank trackers to support both desktop and mobile tracking. You’ll find that it’s important as mobile users often search for nearby businesses.
Additionally, ranking positions can differ across various proximity ranges. Hence, use trackers that offer hyper-local radius tracking and can show rankings within specific distances from your business. This provides a granular view of your reach and helps fine-tune strategies.
Google Maps Rank Tracker: Try One Today
The advantages of using a rank tracker for your Google Maps optimization makes it a no-brainer. You can figure out what keywords and in which locations you are doing well. Likewise, you can determine where you’re falling short of the mark.
However, it’s important to choose a Google Maps rank tracker you can trust for accurate geolocation data. Also, it should provide a variety of useful features, such as the ability to receive alerts. This gives you a competitive edge when trying to give your business the best chance to climb the rankings.
Furthermore, you can improve your location based marketing with geoPlugin. It’s a tool that enables you to convert IP addresses into usable location based data. The tool provides an API that you can integrate into your current setup.
So what are you waiting for? Try geoPlugin right now to corner your market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s review a few FAQs to help you understand more about Google Maps rank tracking.
Why is tracking Google Maps rankings important?
Tracking Google Maps rankings is crucial for businesses aiming to attract local customers. That’s because high rankings enhance visibility in map-based searches. This often leads to more foot traffic and calls.
Additionally, Google Maps rankings are influenced by factors like proximity, reviews, and business profile quality. You’ll need to monitor rankings to understand your local SEO performance and address areas needing improvement. Ultimately, it will help you stay competitive in your market.
What features should a good Google Maps rank tracker have?
You need to track Google Map rankings with location-based tracking, multi-device compatibility, and historical data reporting. Other key features include competitor tracking, keyword tracking for specific service areas, proximity radius tracking, and integration with other SEO tools.
Additionally, customizable reporting and insights into factors affecting rankings are important. This includes customer reviews and engagement. Overall, these features help businesses monitor their performance holistically and make informed decisions.
Are Google Maps rank trackers accurate?
Google Maps rank trackers are generally accurate, especially those with location simulation and proximity tracking capabilities. However, rankings can vary based on device type, user proximity, and Google’s algorithm changes.
Furthermore, reputable trackers adjust for these factors, thereby offering reliable data on local rankings. While no tracker captures every variable, using one with frequent updates and real-world simulations provides businesses with the best data.
How often should you check your Google Maps rankings?
Checking Google Maps rankings weekly or bi-weekly is generally recommended for tracking progress without over-focusing on minor fluctuations. Also, frequent monitoring can be useful after making updates. This is like profile optimizations or launching local ad campaigns to gauge their impact.
Monthly checks also provide valuable trend insights for long-term strategies. Therefore, you should combine frequent surface-level checks with a deeper dive on a monthly basis.
Do Google Maps rankings affect overall local SEO?
Yes, Google Maps rankings significantly impact overall local SEO. That’s because they contribute to visibility in local search queries. This is especially true for mobile users seeking nearby services.
Furthermore, high rankings in Google Maps can increase traffic to a business’s website. Ultimately, this drives more foot traffic and boosts brand awareness.
