Local search rankings are not uniform. Your business may rank #1 for "plumber" directly around your address, but drop to #8 two miles away, and not appear at all five miles out. Google's local ranking algorithm factors in proximity to the searcher, so your rank varies depending on where the user is searching from.
A geo-grid scan runs a simulated search from multiple geographic points around your location and records your ranking at each one. The result is a visual grid that shows your local rank position across the area, so you can see exactly where you are strong and where you have gaps.
AI assistants that answer local queries (ChatGPT with search, Perplexity, Google AI Mode) pull from local search signals including Google Business Profile data and local pack rankings. A business that ranks well in the local pack is more likely to surface in AI-generated local recommendations.
Geo-grid scanning helps you:
Identify geographic coverage gaps where competitors outrank you
Measure the impact of GBP optimizations over time
Prioritize which neighborhoods or service areas to target with local content and citations
Rank Prompt offers three grid sizes. Each grid is centered on your linked GBP location.
Grid | Points | Area coverage | Credit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
3x3 | 9 points | Tight local area | 1 credit |
5x5 | 25 points | Broader neighborhood | 3 credits |
7x7 | 49 points | Wide service area | 6 credits |
Credit cost is calculated per 9-point block (one 3x3 grid = 1 credit). A 5x5 grid contains approximately 3 blocks, and a 7x7 grid contains approximately 6.
3x3: Good for businesses with a very tight service radius (a single restaurant, retail shop, or office location). Fast and cheap, useful for frequent monitoring.
5x5: Recommended for most businesses. Covers a meaningful area without excessive cost.
7x7: Best for businesses with a wide service area (plumbers, contractors, delivery services) or for understanding ranking across an entire city.
Open Google Business Profile in the sidebar, select your location, and click the Geo Grid tab.
Enter the keyword you want to track. Use the same keyword a potential customer would type into Google, for example: dentist, italian restaurant, emergency plumber.
You can run multiple scans with different keywords to track rankings across your key search terms.
Choose 3x3, 5x5, or 7x7. The credit cost is shown before you confirm.
Click Run Scan. The scan typically completes in 15-60 seconds depending on grid size. Results appear on the grid map once complete.
Results are displayed as a geographic grid overlaid on a map. Each grid point shows a number indicating your ranking position at that location.
Color | Rank range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
Green (dark) | #1-3 | Top of the local pack - strong visibility |
Green (light) | #4-7 | Good visibility, some optimization opportunity |
Yellow | #8-13 | Below the fold in local results |
Orange | #14-20 | Marginal visibility |
Red | #20+ or not ranked | Not appearing in local results at this location |
A healthy geo-grid for a local business should show strong green coverage in the area immediately around the business, fading as distance increases. If you see red or orange close to your own location, that indicates a problem with your GBP optimization that is suppressing your ranking even nearby.
Strong center, weak edges: Normal for businesses with a defined service area. Focus optimization efforts on the transition zones between green and yellow.
Inconsistent neighboring points: Large rank swings between adjacent grid points can indicate that a competitor has a second location in that area, or that there are citation inconsistencies affecting your NAP (name, address, phone) signals.
Uniformly weak across the grid: Usually indicates fundamental GBP issues - incomplete profile, few reviews, low review rating, or inconsistent NAP data across the web.
Each scan is saved with its keyword, grid size, and timestamp. Run the same keyword with the same grid size periodically to track whether your rankings are improving.
Situation | Action |
|---|---|
After optimizing your GBP profile | Re-scan after 2-4 weeks |
After a citations or link-building campaign | Re-scan after 3-6 weeks |
After getting a batch of new reviews | Re-scan after 1-2 weeks |
Routine monitoring | Monthly for most businesses |
Grid | Credits |
|---|---|
3x3 (9 points) | 1 credit |
5x5 (25 points) | 3 credits |
7x7 (49 points) | 6 credits |
Google Business Profile Overview - Connect GBP and understand all six tabs
AI-Powered GBP Content - Improve your profile and post content to support better local rankings
Contact us at [email protected] - we're happy to help!
