Places Scout (What Search Tracker Do You Use?)

[JoshuaMackens]

So, I guess Places Scout is having issues tracking ranking. I won't get into the specifics. However, I just tried to log into the site and it won't resolve. 2 days in a row. I guess it's down. And their main domain redirects to Yext.

Is anyone else experiencing this and if so, do you have any news?

And for the rest of you, what rank tracker are you using? And is it experiencing issues at the moment?

 

[JoyHawkins]

Yes we have been experiencing the same thing. We are currently using Local Falcon for most things.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Have you seen any rank tracking issues with local falcon?

And it looks like it's just maps rank tracking, is that right? Does it track website search results ranking below the local pack?

 

[fisicx]

Does it track website search results ranking below the local pack?

Even if it does it will be unreliable. They might be close on occasion but there are so many variables the chances of you seeing what I'm seeing is remote. And Google can now affect the results if it detects the search is via a rank tracker and not you or me.

Yesterday my wife did a search for a local service on her iPad. I did the same search on a phone and got a different set of results.

At best use rank tracking for trends but I wouldn't rely on them being absolute not matter what tools you use.

 

[JoyHawkins]

Correct, it only does maps. I think with the current state of things, it's probably the best we have. There isn't a single rank tracker I really trust right now that is reporting on organic. At least with Maps, it's not being poisoned the way organic is.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Wow, pretty crazy. I may build it back through GSC. But it would only be a shadow of the real results and unverifiable.

 

[fisicx]

Have a read of this:

https://www.searchenginejournal.com...ning-search-results-for-rank-trackers/592873/

 

[JoyHawkins]

I haven't seen evidence yet that it's happening for local pack rankings though. All those articles are referring to organic.

 

[LightOfHeaven]

At the moment this not something I am experiencing at all.

This " poisoning" seems to be happening to trackers that scrapes google results directly ( DESKTOP ). API data from Google's cloud services are all safe and sound although it's hella expensive . I have a feeling most rank trackers out there are not really using Google's api for their data, despite their claims.

At the moment real Mobile devices with 4g/5g proxies are still emitting clean SERPs on both Chrome ( APP ) and Maps ( App ).

Source / Bias : I run one of the most complicated CTR tool on the market and I have been thinking about providing just a " rank tracking " module without any CTR but there are soooooo many rank tracking tools out there, this whole " poisoning " thing might just make me to do it

For just one location I charge about $199 because the cost to run this is really up there so again take these cheap "rank tracking tools" with a grain of salt.