Expert Insights Needed: Comparing GBP Rank Tracking Tools

[Syed Amir]

Hi everyone, I’m evaluating GBP rank tracking tools for local SEO and need expert input. I’m comparing Local Viking, Local Falcon, BrightLocal, WhiteSpark, and Places Scout.

Specifically, I’d like to know:
1. Which Google search features do they track rankings for, Google Maps, Local Finder (Map Pack), or both?
2. What are the data sources they use (e.g., Google Places API, IP-based, etc.)?

 

[JoyHawkins]

@Myles Anderson @whitespark @David Hunter

 

[keyserholiday]

I only use Places Scout. I don't care for BrightLocal’s tool as the data was wrong on several occasions. I recommend that you avoid Local Viking. They offer services that don't increase rankings.

 

[KabanaSoft]

@Syed Amir - Mark from Places Scout here, wanted to jump in and answer your questions directly:

1. We track several different Google result types depending on the scan config, including organic, local finder, mobile organic, mobile maps, and the newer AIO results as well as new AIO 3-Pack results that are displayed in mobile SERPs.
2. On the data side, we use live SERP data for the rankings.

Hope this helps, happy to clarify anything else

 

[whitespark]

Hi @Syed Amir,

1. Our Local Rank Tracker tracks local packs, Google Maps, and organic rankings. Our Local Ranking Grids tracks Google Maps at the time of writing this, but other interfaces are on our roadmap.

2. We do not use the API for data. We get it from the localized search results.

Whitespark Local Ranking Grids has a free trial with no credit card required that will let you run eight 5x5 grids. Many people tell us it’s the best ranking grid software they have seen. Hope you’ll try it.

 

[warrenpd]

Hi everyone, I’m evaluating GBP rank tracking tools for local SEO and need expert input. I’m comparing Local Viking, Local Falcon, BrightLocal, WhiteSpark, and Places Scout.

Specifically, I’d like to know:
1. Which Google search features do they track rankings for, Google Maps, Local Finder (Map Pack), or both?
2. What are the data sources they use (e.g., Google Places API, IP-based, etc.)?

So I've used all of these except Places Scout. Local Viking, Local Falcon, BrightLocal and WhiteSpark don't use the API for data. I believe all of them use Google Maps for their map grids rankings. I haven't seen the results vary that much between any of them. Personally I use Local Falcon because they have a connector with Data Studio. Might be different now but at the time that was the only one available.

 

[fisicx]

How accurate are these tools?

If I search for 'plumbers near me' will I see the same results as someone in a different location searching for 'plumbers in Smalltown' (me trying to help my parents 100 miles away).

What happens if I change the search to 'boiler maintenance near me'? Or 'heating system maintenance near me'?

Does the time of day make a difference or the device I'm using. Or if I block tracking?

The point I'm trying to make is there are so many variables at play at best a tool can maybe only give you an overview of ranking.