Tracking Google Maps Rankings: Map Pack Positions, Local Finder, and 3-Pack Optimization

Google Maps rankings determine whether your business appears in the Local Pack (the 3-Pack at the top of search results) and the Local Finder (the expanded list accessible via "More places"). Together, these surfaces capture the majority of local search clicks—44% of users click on Pack results, making Maps visibility the single most valuable local search position.

Tracking your Maps rankings is more complex than tracking organic positions because your rank changes based on the searcher's location. This guide covers how to monitor your Maps visibility effectively and optimize for better positions.

The Local Pack displays three businesses with a map widget. It appears in standard Google Search results for queries with local intent. Your Pack position (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) is what most people mean when they refer to "Google Maps ranking."

Key metrics:

• Position 1: 17.8% CTR
• Position 2: 15.4% CTR
• Position 3: 15.1% CTR
• Not in Pack: significantly reduced visibility and actions

Clicking "More places" below the Pack opens the Local Finder with 20+ results. Businesses ranking 4th-20th are visible here. While click-through rates are lower than the Pack, Finder rankings still drive meaningful business—especially for users actively comparing options.

Direct searches within the Google Maps application use the same ranking algorithm but display results in a list format alongside the map. Tracking your position in Maps app results provides an additional data point for your visibility assessment.

Use LocalSERPChecker.app to check your Maps presence from specific locations:

1. Enter your target keyword and location
2. Open the geo-targeted search URL
3. Note whether you appear in the 3-Pack and at which position
4. Click "More places" to find your Local Finder position
5. Record competitor names, ratings, and review counts in the Pack

Repeat from 5-15 geographic points across your service area to map your visibility distribution.

Geogrid rank trackers automate multi-point checking by performing searches from a grid of geographic coordinates centered on your business. The result is a heat map showing your Pack position from every direction and distance.

This is the most comprehensive method for understanding your Maps visibility. A typical 7x7 grid with 1-mile spacing creates 49 data points per keyword—revealing exactly where your Pack ranking is strong and where it weakens.

Set up weekly automated tracking for your priority keywords, supplemented by manual verification of the most important keyword-location combinations. Record both Pack position and Finder position separately.

The factors that determine your Maps ranking overlap with but are not identical to organic ranking factors:

Your Google Business Profile is the primary data source for Maps rankings:

• Primary category accuracy — the single most impactful factor
• Profile completeness — all attributes, services, hours, and descriptions filled
• Photo freshness and quality — businesses with quality photos see 42% more direction requests
• Activity signals — regular posts, Q&A engagement, and profile updates
• Business name — must match real-world name exactly (no keyword stuffing)

• Review velocity — consistent monthly new reviews
• Review recency — reviews from the past 30-90 days carry more weight
• Review sentiment — detailed positive reviews mentioning specific services
• Owner responses — responding to every review within 24-48 hours
• Review diversity — reviews from different Google accounts with varied writing styles

Your website reinforces Maps rankings:

• Location pages with complete NAP matching your GBP
• [LocalBusiness schema markup](/blog/local-schema-markup-guide) connecting website to GBP entity
• Service pages that validate your GBP category and service claims
• Mobile page experience meeting Core Web Vitals thresholds

User engagement with your listing signals quality:

• Click-through rate from search results
• Call button taps
• Direction request frequency
• Website click rate
• Photo view frequency

• Local backlinks from community and industry sources
• NAP consistency across citation sources
• Citation freshness (quarterly updates outperform stale listings)

1. Verify and correct your primary GBP category — this single change can produce dramatic ranking improvements
2. Complete all GBP attributes — payment methods, accessibility, amenities, service options
3. Add fresh photos — 5-10 high-quality images of your business, team, and work
4. Respond to all unresponded reviews — address every review, positive and negative

1. Launch a review acquisition campaign targeting 5-10 new reviews monthly
2. Create or optimize location/service pages on your website with proper schema
3. Audit and correct citations across Tier 1 and Tier 2 directories
4. Post weekly on GBP with service highlights, offers, and updates

1. Build local backlinks through community engagement
2. Create comprehensive [local content](/blog/local-content-marketing) that builds topical authority
3. Develop a systematic review strategy with consistent monthly velocity
4. Monitor and respond to competitor improvements using competitive analysis

Your tracker may be checking from a location close to your business where proximity gives you a strong advantage. Manual checking from the same location should produce the same result. If not, the tracker may be using imprecise location targeting.

Technically yes—GBP listings can appear in the Pack without a website link. However, website signals contribute 15% of ranking weight, so having an optimized website significantly improves your Pack position compared to competitors who have one.

When users filter for "open now," businesses that are currently closed are excluded from results. This is why accurate GBP hours are critical—incorrect hours can remove you from results during your actual business hours.

The same core algorithm powers both, but the Maps app may display slightly different results because users in Maps often have different intent (navigation vs. discovery) and Maps may weight certain factors (reviews, photos) more heavily.

Google Maps rankings are the highest-value local search position, capturing 44% of local search clicks. Tracking your Maps visibility requires checking from multiple geographic points to understand your proximity-dependent ranking distribution. Optimize through the GBP-reviews-website triad, and monitor consistently to detect both improvements and competitive threats.

Start by mapping your current Pack visibility using LocalSERPChecker.app from 10+ locations across your service area, then prioritize the optimization actions that address your weakest ranking signals.