Tracking Rankings
Where do you rank when someone searches for your services? Tracking your position in local search results helps you understand your visibility and measure improvement over time.
Understanding Local Rankings
What to do
Know how local search results work before trying to track them.
Step by step
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Local results vary by location. Someone searching "plumber near me" in Plymouth sees different results than someone in Exeter. Rankings aren't fixed — they depend on the searcher's location.
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The "Local Pack" is key. The map with 3 business listings that appears for local searches — this is where you want to be. Getting into the top 3 dramatically increases visibility.
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Rankings change frequently. Your position can vary by time of day, device, and Google's algorithm changes. Don't obsess over daily fluctuations.
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Personalisation affects results. Google personalises results based on user history. What you see might differ from what others see.
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Mobile vs desktop can differ. Rankings can vary between mobile and desktop searches.
Manual Rank Checking
What to do
The simplest way to check rankings is to search yourself, with some precautions.
Step by step
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Use an incognito/private window. This reduces personalisation from your search history.
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Search from your target location. If you want to rank in a specific area, be there when you search (or use location spoofing tools).
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Search your key terms. Try searches like "[your service] [your town]" or "[your service] near me".
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Note your position. Are you in the Local Pack (top 3 on map)? If not, where do you appear when you click "More places"?
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Check a few variations. Try different search terms and locations to get a broader picture.
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Record your findings. Write down your rankings so you can compare over time.
Rank Tracking Tools
What to do
Tools can automate rank tracking and check from multiple locations.
Step by step
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Free option: BrightLocal's Local Search Results Checker. Lets you check rankings from different locations. Limited free checks.
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Free option: Local Falcon (limited). Visual grid showing rankings across a geographic area. Some free functionality.
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Paid options: BrightLocal, Whitespark, Local Viking, SE Ranking — offer ongoing rank tracking with reports and alerts.
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For most small businesses, manual checking is enough. Paid tools are valuable for agencies or very competitive markets, but overkill for many local businesses.
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Whatever method you use, be consistent. Check the same keywords from the same locations to get comparable data over time.
What Keywords to Track
What to do
Focus on tracking the searches that actually matter to your business.
Step by step
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Your main service + location: "plumber Plymouth", "dentist Exeter", "cafe Bristol"
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"Near me" variations: "plumber near me" (checking from your target area)
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Specific services + location: "boiler repair Plymouth", "emergency dentist Exeter"
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Look at your GBP search queries. Track keywords that are already bringing you traffic.
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Track 5-10 keywords maximum. More than this becomes unmanageable for manual tracking.
Examples by industry
Track: "plumber [town]", "emergency plumber [town]", "boiler repair [town]", "plumber near me" from key service areas.
Track: "cafe [town]", "breakfast [town]", "coffee shop [area]", "brunch [town]", "cafe near me" from nearby.
Track: "dentist [town]", "NHS dentist [town]", "emergency dentist [town]", "dentist near me" from target areas.
Track: "solicitor [town]", "[specialty] solicitor [town]" (e.g., "divorce solicitor", "conveyancing solicitor"), "lawyer near me".
**Don't obsess over rankings.** Rankings matter, but they're not the only metric. A business ranking #4 with excellent reviews might get more clicks than #1 with poor reviews. Focus on the bigger picture — are you getting calls and customers?
How Often to Check Rankings
What to do
Set a sustainable schedule for rank tracking.
Step by step
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Monthly is usually enough. Rankings don't change dramatically day-to-day. Monthly checks give you trend data without obsessing.
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Weekly during active optimisation. If you're making changes to your listing, weekly checks help you see the impact faster.
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After major changes. Check a week or two after making significant updates to your listing.
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Don't check daily. It creates anxiety and the fluctuations aren't meaningful. Rankings need time to stabilise.