Tracking your competitors on Google Maps can directly impact your local business success. Here’s a quick breakdown of the five best tools to help you analyze rankings, identify gaps, and improve visibility:
- ProRankTracker: Tracks rankings in Google Maps' Local Pack and Finder, with daily updates and competitor insights. Starts at $39/month.
- Local Falcon: Offers geo-grid heatmaps and AI-driven recommendations for hyperlocal tracking. Starts at $24.99/month with a credit-based system.
- BrightLocal: Visual ranking grids and competitor analysis tools, ideal for agencies. Starts at $29/month.
- GTrack: Provides local pack monitoring, competitor alerts, and real-time results. Plans start at $19.99/month.
- Local SEO Bot: Combines ranking tracking with local SEO tools like citation building and review management. Fixed price at $49/month.
Each tool offers unique features, from heatmaps to AI recommendations, catering to different business needs. Whether you manage multiple locations or focus on a single area, these tools can guide your strategy for better local search performance.
Local SEO Rank Tracking (Smartest Way to Track Google Maps)
1. ProRankTracker
ProRankTracker is a rank tracking platform trusted by over 60,000 SEO professionals, agencies, and website owners worldwide. It specializes in monitoring Google Business Profile rankings in both the Snack Pack (the top 3 map results) and the Local Finder (top 100 map listings). This tool is particularly useful for small businesses looking to outperform local competitors on Google Maps by providing detailed tracking that helps fine-tune local SEO strategies.
Geo-grid Heatmaps and Daily Graphs
ProRankTracker’s Project View includes a yearly heatmap to assess ranking stability and daily graphs to monitor fluctuations. It goes a step further by offering hyper-local tracking, allowing businesses to analyze rankings down to specific neighborhoods or zip codes. This makes it a great fit for businesses competing in highly localized markets.
Competitor Ranking Insights
The platform also provides tools to analyze competitors. Its Rankings Discovery feature lets you input a competitor’s URL to uncover their ranking keywords. This insight can reveal gaps in your own keyword strategy. Additionally, the Full SERPs View displays the top 100 search results, while the Insta-Check feature provides instant snapshots of SERPs without using up your monthly tracking quota.
"Pro Rank Tracker has been an invaluable tool for tracking our local Google rankings. The insights provided have significantly helped us optimize our SEO strategies." - Bryan R., User
Update Frequency
ProRankTracker updates tracked keywords daily across all plans. It claims to deliver 100% accurate ranking data across 187 Google sites, 35 Yahoo! sites, and 32 Bing sites. For added flexibility, users can manually refresh rankings on demand, though this feature depends on the chosen plan.
Pricing
ProRankTracker offers flexible pricing to match its robust features. A 14-day free trial is available, giving users access to all premium functionalities without requiring a credit card. Annual plans start at $39/month for the Starter Plan (500 tracked terms), $87/month for the Pro Plan (1,500 tracked terms), and $144/month for the Agency Plan (3,000 tracked terms with API access). The platform is well-regarded, holding a 4.6/5 rating on G2.
2. Local Falcon
For small businesses striving to stand out in local search results, Local Falcon offers a unique geo-grid rank tracking system. This feature pinpoints your exact ranking across different neighborhoods, using a detailed map grid that zooms in at the street level. It’s eye-opening to see how you might rank #1 on one block but drop to #8 just a short distance away, all because of Google’s proximity-based algorithms. Let’s dive into how Local Falcon’s heatmaps and competitor data can help refine your local SEO strategy.
Geo-Grid Heatmaps
Local Falcon’s heatmaps provide a visual breakdown of your rankings across your service area. These color-coded overlays let you spot ranking gaps quickly. You can customize grid sizes and adjust intervals down to a precise 0.1-mile radius, especially useful in densely populated urban areas. The platform also includes a Share of Local Voice (SoLV) metric, which calculates the percentage of grid points where your business appears in the Top 3 Google Map Pack. This gives you a clear view of your market presence. According to Local Falcon, 70% of local search clicks come from the Google Map Pack, making these insights invaluable.
"Our agency experienced a 40% lift in sales close rates with prospective clients simply using Local Falcon’s 12x12 grid. When you can show a client in one image where they rank in their neighborhood, it’s a no-brainer." - Josh Loewen, The Status Bureau
Competitor Ranking Insights
The Competitor Report feature tracks up to 99 competitors simultaneously using the same grid parameters. This allows you to see where competitors’ rankings overlap with yours. Metrics like ARP, ATRP, and the proprietary SoLV metric provide detailed insights. Additionally, Falcon AI offers automated recommendations to help you improve rankings in weaker areas. The Review Analysis tool lets you import up to 1,000 Google reviews and compare them with three competitors to uncover sentiment patterns and areas for improvement.
Update Frequency
You can run scans on-demand or schedule them at intervals that suit your needs - daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. The Falcon Guard feature adds an extra layer of protection by monitoring your Google Business Profile 24/7. It alerts you instantly if competitors attempt unauthorized changes to your profile, such as "suggested edits", that could negatively impact your rankings.
Pricing
Local Falcon operates on a credit-based system. Plans begin at $24.99/month for 7,500 credits, with additional tiers at $49.99, $99.99, and $199.99 per month. New users get 100 free credits, and pay-as-you-go credits cost $0.05 each. Annual plans also allow for unused credits to roll over, giving you added flexibility.
3. BrightLocal
BrightLocal supports more than 10,000 marketers and agencies with its all-in-one local SEO platform. One standout feature, the Local Search Grid, provides a visual, color-coded "traffic light" map of your rankings across customizable areas. This makes it simple to spot where you're succeeding and where there's room for growth. You can adjust grid sizes (from 3x3 to 15x15) and move the center point to any location, making it especially useful for focusing on key neighborhoods.
Competitor Ranking Insights
BrightLocal helps you measure your performance against the top 20 local competitors. Using the GBP Audit tool, you can see important metrics like profile categories, star ratings, review counts, and proximity to search points. The tool also compares your profile against the top 10 competitors for specific search terms, revealing gaps in areas such as photos, citations, and backlinks. Jonathan "Jono" Long, Owner of Faithworks Marketing, shared how this feature benefits his clients:
"Showing them 'you're #2' in a table didn't allow for our clients to really see the impact and value of what we do for them in SEO. Local Search Grid has changed all of that".
With automatic updates, you can track these changes in real time, ensuring you're always informed.
Update Frequency
BrightLocal ensures you stay up to date with real-time tracking features. Rankings are available instantly via live reporting dashboards. The Local Rank Tracker also provides daily updates, and you can run scans whenever needed or schedule them to fit your workflow.
Pricing
BrightLocal offers flexible pricing options to suit different needs. The Track plan starts at $29/month (billed annually) and includes local rank tracking, GBP audits, and competitor insights for one location. For $36/month, the Manage plan adds listing management tools, while the Grow plan at $44/month includes full review management. All plans come with a 14-day free trial, and you won’t need a credit card to get started. Additionally, BrightLocal offers a Citation Builder service for an extra $2.00–$3.20 per listing.
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4. GTrack
GTrack uses a 9x9 coordinate grid to map your business rankings. Each point on the grid costs 1 credit, meaning a full scan requires 81 credits. This system provides a clear snapshot of where your rankings are strong and where they fall short.
Geo-Grid Heatmaps
With GTrack, you can create grids ranging from 3x3 to 13x13 to visualize your rankings. The platform includes tools like the Performance Matrix, Category Analysis, and Review Comparison, which help explain why rankings vary by location. You can export these heatmaps in formats like PDF, PNG, or CSV. These features integrate seamlessly with GTrack’s competitor monitoring tools, giving you a comprehensive view of your local performance.
Competitor Ranking Insights
Depending on your plan, GTrack lets you monitor anywhere from 10 to 100 competitors. You’ll receive instant notifications for changes like updates to competitor business names, new photos, reviews, or category adjustments. Additionally, GTrack includes an AI-powered keyword generator that analyzes over 50 million searches to uncover high-converting local keywords.
As Sarah M. from Plumbing Company shared:
"GTrack showed us we were missing from the local pack in 40% of our service area. After optimizing based on their insights, we got 32 more calls in the first month."
Update Frequency
GTrack provides real-time tracking, delivering results in less than two minutes. You can perform scans on demand or schedule them daily, weekly, or monthly. Instant alerts ensure you can quickly adjust your strategy when needed.
Pricing
GTrack offers flexible pricing with both monthly subscriptions and lifetime deals. The Free Plan includes 500 credits and doesn’t require a credit card. Monthly plans start at $19.99 (Starter, 5,000 credits, tracks 10 competitors), $59.99 (Business, includes white-labeling), and $99.99 (Pro, tracks up to 100 competitors and offers 24/7 support). Lifetime deals range from $155 (Starter) to $1,039 (Pro).
5. Local SEO Bot
Local SEO Bot simplifies the process of tracking competitor rankings and managing your local SEO efforts. It generates a position map that highlights where your business stands across more than 25 locations in your city for specific keywords. This gives you an easy-to-understand snapshot of your local search visibility while also offering tools for managing your online presence.
Competitor Ranking Insights
This tool doesn’t just show where you rank - it identifies opportunities. By highlighting gaps where competitors underperform, it calculates a competitive ranking for each keyword, helping you understand your local position better. These insights allow you to refine your Google Business Profile, focus on underserved areas, and target less competitive keywords effectively.
Update Frequency
Local SEO Bot takes the hassle out of monitoring by automating the process. It continuously tracks your rankings and those of your competitors, providing regular updates without requiring manual checks or additional costs. This hands-off approach ensures you’re always up to date with minimal effort.
Pricing
For $49/month, Local SEO Bot offers a straightforward plan that covers ranking tracking, Google Business Profile management, citation building, review management, and local SEO audits. This fixed-price model is ideal for small businesses looking for reliable tools with predictable costs and easy-to-use features.
Tool Comparison Table
Comparison of Top 5 Google Maps Competitor Tracking Tools: Features, Pricing, and Best Use Cases
Here’s a quick side-by-side look at five tools, breaking down their standout features, monthly pricing, update schedules, and ideal use cases. This comparison helps spotlight what each tool brings to the table and who they’re best suited for.
| Tool Name | Tracking Features | Pricing (monthly) | Accuracy/Update Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProRankTracker | Multi-location tracking, competitor comparison reports, keyword position monitoring | Starting at $19 | Daily, weekly, or monthly updates | Agencies handling multiple client locations |
| Local Falcon | AI-powered geo-grid tracking, visual heatmaps, automated recommendations, real-time SoLV tracking | Starting at $30 | Real-time reporting with automated scans | Businesses needing real-time competitor analysis and AI visibility tracking |
| BrightLocal | Geolocation rank tracker with customizable grid sizes (up to 15x15), spam spotting for competitor listings | Starting at $39 | Weekly or on-demand scans | Marketing teams requiring detailed grid analysis |
| GTrack | Local pack position tracking, competitor movement alerts, historical ranking data | Starting at $29 | Daily automated tracking | Small businesses focused on local pack visibility |
| Local SEO Bot | Competitor ranking tracking integrated with local SEO tools like Google Business Profile management, citation building, and review management | $49 | Continuous automated tracking | Small businesses seeking an all-in-one local SEO solution |
Each tool has its own strengths: ProRankTracker is ideal for agencies managing multiple locations, Local Falcon excels at AI-driven real-time tracking, BrightLocal offers in-depth grid analysis, GTrack focuses on daily local pack monitoring, and Local SEO Bot provides a comprehensive SEO toolkit for small businesses at a fixed price.
Conclusion
Tracking competitor rankings on Google Maps is a must - especially when 70% of local search clicks end up in the Map Pack. The five tools mentioned here approach this task in unique ways. ProRankTracker is ideal for agencies managing multiple client locations, Local Falcon provides precise local insights, BrightLocal specializes in detailed grid analysis, GTrack focuses on daily monitoring of the local pack, and Local SEO Bot offers a full suite of local SEO tools for a fixed $49/month. This breakdown can help you decide which one aligns best with your strategy.
Your choice should depend on your business needs. For single-location businesses, Local SEO Bot simplifies management by offering an all-in-one solution, eliminating the hassle of juggling multiple subscriptions. On the other hand, businesses that need hyperlocal precision and can work with raw data will appreciate Local Falcon’s geo-grid tracking, which pinpoints where competitors are outperforming you.
The right tool should streamline your workflow, not complicate it. Look for features like automated scans and actionable AI-driven recommendations. As one expert puts it:
"Local Falcon is more than just another SEO tool for us. It's a strategic partner that helps our clients outrank their local competition, and it's been an absolute game-changer for us".
To get started, pick a tool, run weekly scans for 30 days, and monitor your Map Pack visibility. Use the data to guide your next steps - whether that means adding missing categories, launching review campaigns in underperforming areas, or tweaking your service descriptions. If you don’t see improvement within three months, it might be time to adjust your approach or consider a different tool. Let the results shape your strategy.
FAQs
How does tracking competitor rankings on Google Maps help improve my local business visibility?
Tracking how your competitors rank on Google Maps gives you a clear picture of where your business stands in local search results and highlights areas for improvement. By examining the keywords they rank for and the locations they dominate, you can fine-tune your strategy to target gaps in your coverage and boost visibility in areas that matter most.
It’s also a chance to evaluate key aspects of their Google Business Profiles, like the number of reviews, star ratings, and the quality of their photos. By learning from what they do well, you can enhance your own profile, attract more positive feedback, and make your business more appealing to potential customers. Regular tracking lets you monitor your progress, tweak your strategies, and focus on actions that deliver real results - whether that’s more calls, foot traffic, or sales.
What are geo-grid heatmaps, and how can they enhance local SEO strategies?
Geo-grid heatmaps are a powerful tool for visualizing how a business ranks across its entire service area on Google Maps. Instead of providing just a single average rank, these heatmaps show rankings at specific geographic points. This makes it easier to pinpoint where your visibility is strong and where it might be falling short. For instance, a business could rank #1 near its physical location but see a sharp drop just a few blocks away.
Using color-coded pins - like green for strong rankings and red for weaker visibility - geo-grid heatmaps make it simple to identify problem areas, monitor competitor performance, and fine-tune SEO strategies. By delivering detailed, location-specific insights, these maps help businesses zero in on the areas that need attention, making it easier to attract local customers and boost overall visibility.
Why is it important to regularly track competitor rankings and activity on Google Maps?
Monitoring how your competitors rank and perform on Google Maps is a smart move because it directly influences your business’s visibility and ability to attract customers. If competitors rank higher for the keywords you’re targeting, they’re likely pulling in customers who could have chosen your business instead. Keeping an eye on their performance helps you pinpoint what they’re doing well - whether it’s gathering more reviews, posting better photos, or using specific categories - and gives you the opportunity to fine-tune your own strategy to compete effectively.
Regularly tracking this data also reveals trends in rankings, helping you stay agile in the face of algorithm changes, seasonal shifts, or new strategies from competitors. This insight lets you zero in on the keywords that drive results, enhance your Google Business Profile, and focus on the locations that bring the most profit. Tools like Local SEO Bot simplify the process by automating tracking, providing heat map visualizations, and sending updates, so you can stay ahead without adding more to your workload.
