How to Accurately Check Local Rankings on Google

Checking the local rankings of your business on Google is essential for effective SEO and digital marketing. However, obtaining reliable ranking data can be challenging, as many tools provide misleading and artificially inflated results. In this blog post, we will address the flaws in most local ranking data and guide you on how to acquire accurate insights to enhance your visibility and marketing efforts.

1. The Challenge with Local Ranking Data: Numerous tools allow you to check your business’s local rankings by inputting keywords and your address. These tools generate rankings based on searches conducted from that location. While this may seem helpful, there’s a significant problem – rankings vary by location due to three key factors: relevance, prominence, and distance.

Relevance and prominence are standard SEO considerations, but distance plays a critical role for local businesses. Google considers both the business’s location and the searcher’s location. As a result, your rankings can vary drastically based on how far the searcher is from your business.

2. The Solution: Geographic Ranking Data: To overcome this problem, you must gather ranking data from various points across your target geography. This approach provides a clearer picture of your rankings and helps you identify strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore an example:

Example: SEO Agency Rankings in Peterborough. Suppose an SEO agency based in Peterborough City wants to evaluate its rankings for the keyword “SEO.”

• Rankings near their location: The agency performs well, with several 1st and 2nd place rankings.
• Rankings in the Cambridge area: The agency’s rankings drop significantly, likely due to local competition and proximity-based search results.

By collecting such geographic ranking data, businesses can make informed decisions to improve their local SEO strategy.

3. Utilising the Information: Once you’ve gathered your strengths and weaknesses from geographic ranking data, you can refine your SEO approach accordingly. For weaker locations, focus on building local rankings and consider supplementing with Google Ads to enhance visibility. Having a realistic overview of your rankings enables you to fine-tune your search marketing strategy effectively.

Conclusion: In today’s competitive landscape, knowing how to Check Local Rankings on Google Search across your target area is crucial for maximizing sales and lead generation. By understanding your rankings in various locations, you can tailor your Local SEO efforts and consider additional tactics like Google Ads. Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to local rankings, so be proactive in gathering accurate data to enhance your business’s online presence.

For a free customised local rank report of your business, including location, target area, and essential keywords, feel free to reach out to us. We’re here to help you achieve local search success!