Do you want to know how well you are doing in the Google search rankings? Then, it’s a good idea to monitor the local rank tracker data to identify the position of your ranking. This data reveals the strengths and weaknesses of your SEO efforts. 

In this article, we’ll share the top strategies and advantages of using a rank tracker for local keywords. You’ll see that any SEO marketing plan needs to include this in the setup to achieve the best results. 

Keep reading for the best approach to the local keyword rank tracking process!

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Rank Tracking for Local Keywords: 4 Best Practices

Do you want to know the best practices for rank tracking for local keywords? In this section, we’ll show you what you need to consider for the best results. This will help you improve your search engine optimization (SEO) and better understand where you stand in your niche. 

1. Track the Right Keywords

You’ll need to track the keywords that matter for your local marketing campaign. This includes ones that drive conversion for your local business. Typically, they will have a geographic location modifier, such as a street name, neighborhood, city, or country. 

Tracking the wrong keywords leads to unnecessary information overload. Therefore, you’ll need to avoid this at all costs. As you better understand your niche, you’ll begin to figure out what keywords are worth tracking and avoiding. 

2. Choose an SEO Tool With Rank Tracking

When selecting an SEO tool with rank tracking, prioritize features like accuracy. This ensures you don’t receive the wrong information and bad conclusions. Instead, you need a tool that can accurately show you the positions of your target geo keywords

Furthermore, ensure the tool provides mobile and desktop tracking, competitor analysis, and historical data to evaluate keyword trends over time. Integration with Google Analytics or Search Console is a bonus for holistic insights. 

3. Set Up Alerts

SEO software will typically have a feature where you can set up alerts regarding the movement of keyword positions. This means you’ll be notified when a target keywords increases or drops quickly in the rankings. You’ll need to find a location-based platform with a feature that offers this functionality. 

Hence, you can figure out when your important keywords drop in rankings, and you can try to figure out the root cause of the issues. Likewise, when an SEO strategy goes right, you can discover the specific keywords that get a rankings boost. 

4. Monitor Competitor Rankings

Tracking your competitor’s local keyword rankings helps you understand the local SEO landscape. You’ll need to analyze which keywords they rank for and identify gaps in your strategy. Therefore, make sure your SEO tool has a competitor analysis module to get access to this feature. 

Keeping tabs on their ranking trends provides insights into potential opportunities and threats, enabling you to adjust your approach. Learning from their successful tactics can also guide your local keyword optimization efforts. It also helps if you can monitor local SEO backlinks of your top competitors. 

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How To Track Local Keywords in Pro Rank Tracker

Do you want to know how to track local keywords in pro rank trackers? We’ll show you a few steps that you can take to get the best results. However, the success of this method depends on the features available in your specific SEO tool. 

Here are the tips for tracking local keywords with a professional tool:

  • Add keywords with local search intent: After logging into Pro Rank Tracker, go to the Add URL & Terms section. Then, enter the URL you wish to track and input the local keywords you’re targeting (For example, “plumber in Boston”).
  • Mobile vs desktop: Pro Rank Tracker allows you to track keyword rankings separately for mobile and desktop. Hence, choose the appropriate option based on your audience’s search habits.
  • Review reporting tools: Pro Rank Tracker provides a variety of reporting options, which include daily or weekly updates on your local keyword rankings. Make sure to customize the reports to focus on the local data you need for analysis.
  • Use tagging for grouping keywords: If you’re tracking several local keywords across different regions, use Pro Rank Tracker’s tagging system. This enables you to group keywords by city or region for easier analysis.
  • Monitor the Local Pack: If you aim to rank in the Google Local Pack, Pro Rank Tracker can monitor your search rankings in both organic search and local pack results.

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Google Local Rank Tracking Things To Avoid

Now, let’s consider the top things you need to avoid when executing a Google local rank tracking strategy. This allows you to avoid the mistakes that could potentially grind your progress to a halt. Here are the things you need to avoid:

  • Overlooking location-specific keyword rankings: Avoid tracking broad keywords without local intent. When monitoring keyword rankings for local search, ensure you’re focusing on location-specific keywords relevant to your service area. That’s because failing to do so can result in skewed data and poor local optimization. This means you always need to specify the exact city or neighborhood. This gets you accurate insights into how your local SEO is performing.
  • Not tracking mobile vs. desktop rankings separately: Local keyword rankings often vary between mobile and desktop searches. Overall, many users perform local searches on mobile devices. Hence, it’s essential to track rankings for both platforms separately. Furthermore, ignoring mobile performance could mean missing key ranking insights, especially for local businesses where mobile searches are dominant. 
  • Tracking keywords at the national level: Avoid tracking local keywords on a national level since it dilutes the accuracy of your rankings. Instead, target the correct geographic location for each keyword. This provides you with actionable data that you can use to decide where to focus your efforts. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Now, let’s take a look at some FAQ regarding local rank tracking. This ensures that you’re able to get a better understanding of how to use an SEO tool with this feature. 

What is a local rank tracker?

A local rank tracker is a tool used to monitor the performance of specific keywords within a defined geographic location. For example, a city or neighborhood. It helps businesses track how well they rank in local search results.

Why is local rank tracking important?

Local rank tracking is essential for businesses targeting local customers. That’s because it provides insights into how visible they are in local searches. This is especially true in the Google Local Pack and maps, which are key for local SEO success.

How often should I track local keyword rankings?

It’s recommended to track local keyword rankings at least weekly or daily. It’s vital because regular tracking ensures timely insights for SEO adjustments. However, you can also set up keyword alerts to receive alerts when notable ranking changes occur. 

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Local Rank Tracker: Is It Worth Paying Attention To?

Yes, paying attention to the rankings of your local keywords is paramount to your SEO success. Otherwise, you will have difficulty figuring out what’s working and where you can improve. 

The best strategies for using a local rank tracker in this article will tilt the odds of success in your favor. Your competitors are most likely using this strategy, so you must do the same or get left behind. 

Furthermore, you can improve your marketing to local customers by gathering IP addresses and turning them into geolocation data. Then, you can send notifications to users in a predefined area. Tools like geoPlugin can help you achieve this. 

So what are you waiting for? Give GeoPlugin a try today to get more local customers!

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GeoPlugin Team
The GeoPlugin Team is a dedicated group of seasoned writers, and tech enthusiasts committed to making geolocation technology accessible to all web users. Our team combines expertise in digital advertising, IP geolocation, and web development. They also have a history in digital marketing, specializing in writing content about the tech industry, AI, and cybersecurity. At GeoPlugin, we understand the importance of knowing where your visitors are located to enhance website functionality and user experience. Our blog team’s articles provide you with the knowledge to leverage geolocation data effectively.