Local Rank Grid Checker

Why one ranking isn’t enough

Local search results depend on where the searcher is standing. You might sit at the top of the map pack for “plumber” right outside your premises, then vanish from the first page just a few kilometres away. Checking your rank from a single location hides that — it tells you almost nothing about how much of your service area you actually own. A rank grid checks many points around you at once and paints the real map: where you’re strong, where you fade, and how far your local visibility truly reaches.

How to use it

• • Enter your Place ID and a keyword. Use the keyword a customer would type, like “emergency plumber.”
• • Choose a grid and radius. A 3×3 grid gives a quick read; 5×5 is more detailed. The radius sets how far from your location the grid reaches.
• • Run the scan. Each square shows your rank at that point, coloured by how well you place.

Reading the result

A grid full of green means you dominate your area; a green centre fading to grey at the edges means you only rank close to home and have room to expand. The summary gives you three numbers to track over time: your average rank where you appear, the share of points where you land in the top 3, and how much of the grid you show up on at all. The list of competitors most often ranked above you points at exactly who to study — often businesses with more or fresher reviews.

How to improve your grid

Local ranking is driven heavily by relevance, distance and prominence — and prominence is where reviews come in. Businesses with more recent, higher-rated reviews tend to hold more of the grid. Keep your NAP consistent, your category right, and a steady flow of reviews coming in — then re-run this grid in a few weeks to watch your coverage grow.

Limitations

The results come from the Google Places API and approximate local Maps rankings — they’re not a pixel-perfect copy of what every searcher sees, and small run-to-run variation is normal. The free version is capped at three scans a day with 3×3 or 5×5 grids, and repeat scans of the same query are cached for 24 hours. Use it to spot patterns and track progress, not as an exact ranking report.

Frequently asked questions

What is a local rank grid?

A rank grid checks where your business appears in local search results from many points around your location, not just one. Because Google’s local results change with the searcher’s position, a grid shows the fuller picture — you might rank #1 next to your shop but drop off a few streets away.

How do I read the heatmap?

Each square is a point on a map grid around your business. The number is your rank for that keyword there, coloured green (1–3), amber (4–10), orange (11–20) or grey (not in the top 20). Green near the edges means strong reach; a small green core surrounded by grey means you only rank close to home.

What are ARP and top-3 coverage?

ARP is your average rank across the points where you appear. Top-3 coverage is the share of grid points where you rank 1–3 — a good single number for how dominant you are locally. Rising top-3 coverage over time is a clear sign your local SEO is working.

Are these the exact rankings Google shows?

No. The results come from the Google Places API and are a close approximation of local Maps rankings, not a pixel-perfect copy of what every individual searcher sees. Use the grid to spot patterns and track progress, not as an exact ranking report.

Is the rank grid checker free?

Yes — free, no signup. To keep it free it’s limited to three scans a day, with 3×3 or 5×5 grids, and repeat scans of the same query are served from a 24-hour cache.