Geo-Grid Rank Tracking: Setup and How to Read a Scan
Learn how to set up a geo-grid rank scan, keep later comparisons consistent, and read point-by-point Google Maps visibility without overreading one result.
Geo-grid rank tracking checks a local search from several points across a defined area instead of relying on one address. Choose a representative centre, spacing, search terms and device, then keep them steady for later scans. Read the pattern across points and treat any single scan as an observation, not a ranking promise.
Contents
Geo-grid rank tracking samples a local search from several points across an area. A search from one address gives one reading; a grid lets you inspect how results vary across the places you selected.
The local rank tracker guide explains what tracking tools measure and how to evaluate them. This article covers setup and interpretation. For broader ranking context, see the Google Maps SEO guide.
Set the search and area
Choose a search phrase that reflects a service customers might need, then select the business, area and device to measure. Google’s local ranking guidance lists relevance, distance and prominence as the main factors; the searcher’s location affects distance. See Google’s local ranking guidance.
Place the grid centre at a meaningful business location or point in the service area. Choose a pattern and spacing that cover the area you want to understand. Points far outside the area served may not help answer your question.
| Setting | Example |
|---|---|
| Pattern | 3 × 3 square grid (9 points) |
| Spacing | 1 km between points |
| Centre | A selected business location |
| Search and device | One service phrase, mobile |
For later comparisons, keep the same pattern, point count, centre, spacing, phrase and device. The Maprix methodology explains how changing the pattern or point count changes what a scan measures.
Keep devices and phrases separate
Compare mobile with mobile and desktop with desktop. Each device produces its own grid, average rank and coverage. Combining devices into one average hides differences between the two. The mobile and desktop comparison guide explains how to hold the other settings steady.
Keep the search phrase the same across repeat scans. A change from “emergency plumber” to “plumber near me” changes the query, so record those as separate measurements.
Read the points and summary
Check the settings, then inspect where the business appears across the grid. Maprix uses three point states:
- Found: a position from 1 to 20. Found points contribute to average rank and count as found for coverage.
- 20+: the business did not appear in the first 20 results. It is a valid point in the coverage denominator, but it is not counted as found or included in average rank.
- Unmeasured: the point returned an error. It is excluded from the coverage denominator and average rank.
Coverage is found points divided by valid points. Average rank uses only found points, so an absent result is not assigned an invented position. The methodology page gives the definitions and a worked example.
Read the individual points alongside the summary. A stronger result near the centre may sit beside weaker results near the edge, and the average alone will not show where. Compare scans taken with the same settings to see whether that pattern changes.
Maprix’s Rank Tracker page describes grid scans. Reports covers scan history and comparisons, while Auto Tracking describes scheduled scans.
Compare a change
Before updating a profile detail or service page, save the scan settings and date. Make the change, then repeat the same phrase over the same points on the same device. Note other changes during the comparison period, including competitor edits, when you review the results.
One scan records the current picture. Repeated scans with the same setup help you see whether a pattern continues. Use the local SEO checklist for the profile, website and customer-service work around that measurement.
Keep a short scan log
A log prevents a pile of maps from becoming an unreliable story. Keep the date, search phrase, selected centre, spacing or area, device and any business change you are investigating. If a setting differs, mark the scan as a new baseline rather than forcing it into the old comparison.
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does a geo-grid rank scan show?
How many grid points should I use?
Why does my rank change across the grid?
Can I compare scans with different grid settings?
Does a grid scan tell me how every customer ranks?
Maprix measures where a business actually ranks on Google Maps — point by point across a service area, not from a single location. How we prepare our guides →