MAP Local Guides - Local Rank Tracker
Conscious Commerce • June 11, 2025
Table of Contents
What is Local Rank Tracker | Overview | Positions | Ranking Table | Keyword Groups | Competitors
What is Local Rank Tracker?
The Local Rank Tracker ('Rank Tracker', or 'Ranking Report' for short) is a highly useful SEO reporting tool that allows you to monitor your business's search rankings on different search engines.
What makes the Rank Tracker unique?
- Localized search results - Your rankings are monitored at a local level, isolating where your customers are sourced from.
- Local Pack and organic search rankings - The tool monitors where your website ranks in the search results and ranking of your Google Business Profile in Local Pack and Maps results.
- Third-party search results - The Rank Tracker tool also checks for mentions of your business’s name and phone number within the search results to identify when citation sites are displayed in search engines
No other rank tracker tool is able to offer all these combined features.
How do I understand a Local Rank Tracker report?
Once complete, a Rank Tracker report will look something like this.
In this report you will find 5 distinct sections, overview, positions, ranking table, keyword group, and competitors. Here is the data you can glean from each focus area:
Overview
When you first open the Rank Tracker report, the 'Overview' tab will be selected. This overview section is packed with metrics that’ll help you spot significant changes to your rankings and track progress over time.
- ‘Average Google Position’ is a single metric to understand ranking performance at a glance. As the name suggests, it measures the average position of all your ranking keywords across Google organic results and Google local results. The score tells you what your current Average Google Position is and what the increase or decrease is compared to the previous report run. You can also see what your results are combined by clicking the Aggregate toggle.
- 'Keyword and Positional Movement' data lets you know if keywords are heading in the right direction or if there’s been a big drop in rankings.
- Keyword Movement shows how many individual keywords moved up vs how many move down. For example, if 50 keywords move up and 70 move down, the ‘Keyword Change’ is 20.
- Positional Movement is the net total of all of your gained positions minus all of your lost positions. For example, a keyword that moved from 8th to 3rd gained five positions.
- New Ranking Keywords = the number of new keywords that are now ranking but weren’t before.
- No Change = the number of keywords that have not changed position.
- Total Report Keywords = the total number of keywords being tracked in the report.
- 'Google Local Pack Coverage' reveals how many of your tracked keywords display a Local Pack in Google and, more importantly, how many of those Local Packs you’re claiming.
Positions
This chart shows a summary of the ranking positions for all of your keywords on all selected search engines grouped into bands and displays how many rankings you have in positions #1, #2-5, #6-10, etc. At the top of the chart you can select each search engine.
You can view all of this data as a chart or a table.
Rankings Table
The Rankings Table displays all keywords that are being monitored in the report and shows their ranking for each search engine. Tabs at the top help you to navigate between Google and Bing data.
The table compares keyword ranking results in Organic Desktop, Organic Mobile, Local Pack, and Local Finder. Simply click on the tabs to look at each set of results on their own or on the 'Compare' tab to compare them.
Compare Tab
- 'Keyword' column: This displays all keywords that are being monitored in the report.
- 'Volume' column: Refers to the keyword query volume and displays the average number of times people search Google for this exact keyword, from this location, per month.
- Search engine columns: You’ll see a column for each search engine that has been selected in the report’s settings. Under each column are sub-sections for 'Rank' and 'Change':
- ‘Rank’ column: This shows where the keyword ranks on this search engine.
- 'Change' column: This displays whether the keyword has changed its ranking position since the last time the report was run.
Other information you may see within the rankings table:
- 3rd: These are search results that mention your business name but aren't your website.
- Car: These are 'carousel' type results, which can appear at the top of Google for certain types of searches.
- KP: You may see 'KP' under 'Type' in your Rank Tracker report, this stands for 'Knowledge Panel'.
Individual Search Engine Tabs
In each of the individual search engine tabs, you will find the following information.
- 'Keyword' column: This displays all keywords that are being monitored in the report.
- ‘Rank’ column: This shows where the keyword ranks on this search engine.
- 'Change' column: This displays whether the keyword has changed ranking position since the last time the report was run.
- 'SERP Feat' column: This shows you exactly which SERP features are shown for each keyword in organic results.
- 'URL' column (only for desktop and mobile): This shows you which page on your website is ranking for each keyword so you can spot issues where the wrong page is ranking and focus your efforts.
- 'Actions' column: Clicking the arrow allows you to see a screenshot of the SERP or visit the SERP itself.
Keyword Groups
This part of the Rank Tracker report allows you to group keywords together. The chart will then show how many keywords are ranking in each position (#1, #2-5, #6-10, etc.) for all of the search engines. You can also see this as a table.
Competitors
At the top right-hand side, you can select and compare two different dates. You can also filter the search engines by clicking the button for each search engine at the top left-hand side.
A list of keywords will be visible on the left-hand side, and your rankings will be displayed alongside your competitors. These ranking results are displayed in the same way as the 'Rankings Table,' so please refer to this above if needed.
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Table of Contents Notifications | Data Sharing | Advanced Settings
Once you have created your Google Business Profile, you will need to complete the verification process before it can be shown publicly. Verification methods are automatically determined by Google, are based on your business type, public information, region, or business hours, and can’t be changed. In some cases, you may need to verify your business with more than one method. Methods include: Video Recording Record a 30+ second, unedited video proving you are the owner of the business and it is located at the address indicated in the profile. Phone or Text When you select this method, you will get a call or text with a code Email This method will have you receive an email with verification steps Live Video Call Similar to the video recording, you will join a live video call and show the support representative key details proving your business ownership and locations Mail A postcard will be sent to the address associated with your profile within approximately 14 days. On the postcard will be a secure verification code. What's Next After you complete the verification steps, Google reviews the info you provided. To help maintain the integrity of your Business Profile, verification review can take up to 5 business days. Once the review process is complete, you will receive a notification email. If your verification was approved, your profile will be visible to the public. If your verification was not approved, you will have one of these three options to proceed: Re-Verification When the “Get verified” button appears on your Business Profile again, it means Google couldn’t completely verify your business. To fix this issue, try to re-verify your business. Review Issues When you verify through a video recording and get a “Review issues” notification, it means your video wasn’t accepted. To fix this issue: Select Review issues . Follow the on-screen instructions. Give Additional Information If you’re asked to provide additional info to re-verify your profile, it’s likely because some of your business details were recently updated.
The most commonly used verification method for Google Business Profiles as of 2025 is video verification. This process involves uploading a video that captures key details about your business and helps Google confirm that you represent the business. Before you start Take the time to plan your video. You can’t record a video offline and then upload the file for verification later. Your video will need to be at least 30 seconds long and unedited. Your video recording should not include: Any sensitive information like bank account, tax, or identification numbers. Any other private information about yourself or others. Other people’s faces. Video Requirements For Storefronts Important: If your business doesn’t have permanent on-site signage, it's not eligible as a storefront and should be listed as a service-area business. Videos must show: The location of your business: Capture the official street and number signs, nearby businesses, recognizable landmarks, or the area around your business that shows your business is at the correct Google Maps location. Evidence that your business exists: Capture the storefront, showroom, or business signage. Show your business name printed on permanent fixtures, such as a signboard, wall, or window. The business name shown in the video must match the name of your Business Profile. Demonstrate proof of management: You can show that you’re authorized to represent your business by recording employee-only items or areas. Record yourself opening a cash register, accessing a point-of-sale system, unlocking the store, staff room, kitchen, or storage room. Video Requirements For Service-Area Businesses Videos must show: The location where you offer your services: Good examples include signs in your service area that advertise your business or street signs and landmarks next to your business. A bad example is land that can be present anywhere or unmarked land. Show evidence that your business exists: Capture branded work equipment, marketing materials, services or products for sale, or tools you use to serve your customers. Good examples include recording yourself unlocking a van with your business name on it or branded t-shirts for employees or customers. Demonstrate proof of management: You can record yourself providing the service or showing business documents. For example, business registration, invoices, or utility bills that match the name on your Business Profile.
If you’re a business owner but a verified Business Profile for your business on Google Search or Maps is owned by someone else, you can request ownership from the current profile owner.
As an owner of your business's Google Business Profile (GBP), you can add users to the profile. Each user will get their own access and you won't need to share login information.
When you add and verify your Business Profile, customers can find your business on Search and Maps. To make sure your business is eligible to show up on Google, verify your Business Profile . After you successfully add or claim your profile, you can control how your business information shows up on Google. You can add or claim your business at no charge. If you have questions about profile verification, check the Business Profile community .
Your Google Business Profile may be suspended or disabled for "not following Google's guidelines ". If you believe that it should be reinstated or that you have updated it to conform to the guidelines, you may submit an appeal. Submitting an Appeal Step 1: Prepare Your Evidence Once you begin your appeal process and open the evidence form, you will have 60 minutes to submit the form, or it will not be attached to your appeal. Evidence that you may be requested to attach includes things like your official business registration, a business license, and tax certificates. These documents must match the business name and address that you have listed on the Google Business Profile. Step 2: Submit Your Appeal Open the Google Business Profile appeals tool . If you’re signed in to the Google account related to the profile you want to appeal, select Confirm. To select a different account, select Switch account. Select the Business Profile that you want to appeal > Continue. The Google Business Profile appeals tool shows: The restricted profile The reason for the moderation action A link to the violated policy At the bottom right, select Submit Appeal. Optional: A prompt to submit evidence may appear. To strengthen your appeal, we highly recommend submitting evidence. To open the evidence form, after you submit your appeal, select Add evidence. Select Submit. Google will review your appeal and send you an email with a decision. Step 3: Check the Status of Your Appeal After you submit your appeal, you can stay aware of the status by doing the following: Open the Google Business Profile appeals tool . Make sure you’re signed in to the Google Account related to your Business Profile. Select the Business Profile for the appeal that you submitted. On the right, you’ll find the status of the appeal: Submitted Approved Not Approved Can't be appealed Eligible for appeal Optional Step 4: Request an Additional Review If your reinstatement request is denied, you may be able to request an additional review to prove your eligibility. In this review, you can submit more evidence that was not added to your original appeal.
You can have only one Business Profile for each business. Multiple profiles for the same business may mislead your customers and are against Google's policies. If a profile is considered a duplicate, it won’t show on Google Search or Maps. Understand Why Profiles are Marked as Duplicates There are several reasons why a profile may be considered a duplicate: Existing verified profile: A verified profile already exists for the same business on Google. Same address: Multiple profiles have the same address. Different services: Multiple profiles exist for the same business that offer different services. You can refer to the following guidance to resolve situations with duplicate profiles.
Your Google Business Profile houses a lot of important information about your company. Keeping this information up to date will help to ensure your clients can confidently make informed buying decisions. The areas we will go into in this guide are : Address Hours Service areas Description Social media links Attributes Categories
