This guide explains the two distinct tracking algorithms available in Local Dominator and how to use the Local Pack and Google Maps rank trackers.
The “Local Pack” (the top 3 results on Google Search) and the “Google Maps App” run on completely different algorithms. Understanding this difference is critical to preventing false reporting and knowing where your SEO strategy needs to improve.
| Who is this for? | SEO Agencies, Multi-Location Businesses, Advanced Strategists |
| What you’ll need |
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| Time to read | Approximately 5 minutes. |
Overview
- Google Maps Tracker: Tracks your Navigation Rank. It simulates a user searching inside the Google Maps app or maps.google.com. This algorithm heavily favors Proximity (how physically close the business is to the searcher).
- Local Pack Tracker: Tracks your Discovery Rank. It simulates a user searching on the main Google Search homepage (e.g., “plumber near me”). This algorithm favors Prominence (reviews, authority, and relevance), often allowing businesses to rank further away from their physical location.
Why Your Rankings Look Different
It is very common to rank #1 on Google Maps but #10 in the Local Pack for the same keyword. This is not a glitch; it is a difference in User Intent.
- The Navigation Intent (Maps): When a user is in the Maps app, Google assumes they want to go somewhere now. The results are strictly filtered by distance.
- The Discovery Intent (Local Pack): When a user searches on Google.com, they are researching the “best” option. Google filters these results by Authority and Review Quality, often skipping closer businesses that have weaker profiles.
If you only track Google Maps, you might report a #1 ranking to your client, but when they search on their phone (using Safari or Chrome), they don’t see themselves in the top 3. Tracking the Local Pack solves this discrepancy.
How to Use the Local Pack and Google Maps Trackers
Local Dominator allows you to choose which tracker to use for any GeoGrid scan.
Step 1: Set Up Your Scan
Navigate to One Time Scan or Recurring Scan and select your business and keywords as usual.
Step 2: Select Your Tracker
Locate the Source section in the scan settings. You will see two checkboxes.
- Check “Google Maps”: Use this for verifying physical location pins and driving direction visibility.
- Check “Local Pack”: Use this for checking true SEO visibility on the main Google Search results page (The 3-Pack).
- Check Both: To run a comprehensive audit, check both boxes. This will trigger two simultaneous scans for every point on the grid, allowing you to compare the results side-by-side.
Step 3: Launch and Compare
Run the scan. If you selected both trackers, the system will generate two separate heatmaps.
Important Note on Credits:
The Local Pack tracker utilizes more resources than the standard Google Maps tracker.
Google Maps Scan: 1 Credit per point.
Local Pack Scan: 2 Credits per point.
If you check both boxes, you are charged for both scans combined.
Example Calculation (13×13 Grid / 169 Pins):
169 Credits (Google Maps) + 338 Credits (Local Pack – 169 x 2) = 507 Total Credits
Google Maps vs. Local Pack
When you compare the two heatmaps, you will typically see one of two scenarios. Here is how to diagnose them:
Scenario A: Green on Maps / Red on Local Pack
What It Means: You have an Authority Deficit.
Your business is physically close enough to rank (Google Maps says yes), but Google does not trust your brand enough to put you in the top 3 “Best” results (Local Pack says no).
Action: Focus on getting more reviews, building local citations, and improving website authority.
Scenario B: Red on Maps / Green on Local Pack
What It Means: You are a Brand Powerhouse.
Your authority is so high that Google ranks you in the Local Pack even in areas where you are not physically the closest option.
Action: This is the ideal state. Defend your position by maintaining a steady
stream of fresh content and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tracker should I use for reporting to clients?
The Local Pack tracker is usually better for demonstrating ROI. Most clients perform “vanity searches” on the main Google homepage, so the Local Pack results match what they see in real life.
Does the Local Pack tracker show rankings past position 3?
Yes. If your business is not in the top 3 (the visible 3-Pack), the tracker looks at the “Local Finder” (the list you see when you click “More Places”). Ranking #9 means you are the 9th result in that expanded list.
Can I use the Local Pack tracker for Service Area Businesses (SABs)?
Yes. SABs can and should use the Local Pack tracker. Since SABs don’t have a physical pin for users to drive to, they often rely even more heavily on the Discovery algorithm (Local Pack) than storefronts do.
Related Resources
- Deep Dive: Understanding the Local Dominator Credit System
- Learn More: How to Run Your First GeoGrid Scan
- Learn More: What is a Geogrid Rank Tracker?