Key takeaways
- •You can check a Google Maps ranking by searching manually, by reading Google Business Profile performance data, or with a geo-grid rank checker.
- •Manual checks show one location. Business Profile data shows impressions, not rank.
- •A geo-grid checker shows your position at many points, which is closest to what customers actually see.
Checking your Google Maps ranking sounds simple: search for your keyword and see where you appear. The catch is that Google Maps does not have one ranking. Your position depends on where the person is searching from. Here are three ways to check, and what each one can and can't tell you.
Way 1: search it yourself
Open Google Maps on your phone, search for the keyword a customer would use, and look for your business in the results. Make a note of where it appears.
This is free and quick, but it has limits. Google uses the device's location, so you only see what someone at that spot sees. Searching from your office or home tells you how you rank for people there. Your own search history and past visits to your listing can also change what you see.
It is a fine sanity check. It is not a measurement of your service area.
Way 2: Google Business Profile performance
Your Google Business Profile shows how many people found your listing and the search terms they used. This is useful data about demand, calls, direction requests and website clicks.
It does not tell you your rank. A rise in views could come from more searches, not better positions. Use it alongside a rank check, not instead of one.
Way 3: a geo-grid rank checker
A geo-grid Google Maps rank checker searches your keyword from a grid of points around your business and records your position at each one. The result is a map showing where you appear and where you don't.
This is the closest you can get to what real customers see, because it covers the whole area instead of one spot. It also lets you track change over time and compare yourself with competitors. See our local rank tracker guide for what to look for.
How to read the results
A good check gives you more than a single number. Look at:
- Where you are in the top 3. The top three listings are the local map pack, and they get a large share of clicks. In one study, the map pack drew roughly 29 to 32 percent of clicks on local service searches, and position 1 took far more than position 3.
- Where you are missing. Spots where you are outside the top 20 are neighborhoods where customers can't find you.
- Who beats you. The competitors that appear in the top 3 where you don't are the ones to study.
- Change over time. Compare scans taken the same way, month to month.
What to do after you check
Pick the weakest high-value area and work on it: reviews from customers there, a location page, accurate business information and an up-to-date profile. Then re-check in a month. Our checklist on how to rank in Google Maps covers the basics.
See where you rank, block by block
Run a geo-grid scan on your own business. New accounts get 25 free tokens, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I rank differently on my phone and my computer?
Google uses the location of the device and your recent activity. Two devices in different places, or with different histories, can see different local results.
Is there a free Google Maps ranking checker?
You can check manually for free, and new LocalMapRanks accounts get 25 free tokens, enough for a full 5 by 5 grid scan.
How often should I check my Google Maps ranking?
Monthly is a good baseline. Check more often during a campaign or when a competitor opens.
What is a good Google Maps ranking?
Being in the top 3 is the goal, since those listings form the local pack. What matters is the share of your service area where you are in the top 3, and whether that share is growing.