Updated June 2026.
Quick answer: A geo-grid rank tracker checks your Google Maps ranking for a keyword from a grid of geographic coordinates spread across a city. Each grid point runs a real Google Maps search from those exact coordinates and records your position. The results are shown as a colour-coded heatmap. You can run one free at localseotool.io with grids up to 5x5.
"Geo-grid," "grid rank tracker," and "geogrid" all mean the same thing: checking your local ranking from many points instead of one. It is the engine behind every local SEO heatmap.
How the grid works, step by step
- You enter a Google Business Profile, a keyword, and a city.
- The tool lays a grid of coordinates over the city. You choose the grid size (3x3 up to 13x13) and the spacing between points.
- For each coordinate, the tool sends a real Google Maps search as if a user were standing at that exact spot.
- Google returns the ranked local results for that point. The tool records your position.
- Every result maps back to its coordinate and renders as a colour-coded grid.
There is no averaging or estimation. Each point is the actual rank a real searcher at that location would see. That is why a geo-grid is far more honest than a single-location rank check.
Grid size and spacing: how to choose
| Setting | What it controls | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Grid size (3x3 to 13x13) | Number of checkpoints | Bigger grid = more detail + more credits |
| Spacing (e.g. 0.5 to 5 mi) | How far apart points sit | Tight spacing for one suburb, wide for a metro |
A 3x3 grid with 1-mile spacing covers a small neighbourhood. A 9x9 grid with 2-mile spacing covers a whole city. Match the area you actually serve, not the biggest grid you can buy. More on reading the output in how to read a local SEO heatmap.
Why geo-grid beats single-point tracking
A single-point tracker gives you one number that hides huge variation. Google ranks local results by proximity, so the same business can be #1 near its address and invisible a few miles out. A geo-grid captures that full spread, so you can see where you win, where you lose, and where competitors are strong.
One number is an average. A geo-grid is the map. You cannot fix what an average hides.
What you can do with geo-grid data
- Find the exact neighbourhoods where you are weak and prioritise them.
- See competitor positions at every point with competitor comparison.
- Track movement over time with scheduled scans and rank tracking.
- Prove results to clients with before/after grid reports.
How to run a geo-grid scan free
Create a free account at localseotool.io, add your business and a keyword, choose a grid up to 5x5, and run it on the heatmap tool. Want the visual-first version? Start with our Google Maps heatmap guide. Comparing several tools? See the best local SEO tools in 2026.
FAQ
Is there a free geo-grid rank tracker?
Yes. localseotool.io offers a free plan with grids up to 5x5, one business, and several reports per month, no credit card required. Larger grids and automation are on paid plans.
What is the difference between geo-grid and a heatmap?
The geo-grid is the method (checking many coordinates). The heatmap is the display (a colour-coded map of those results). Most tools, including localseotool.io, do both. See heatmap vs rank tracker.
How many grid points do I need?
Nine points (3x3) is enough for a quick audit of one area. For a full city, 49 to 81 points (7x7 to 9x9) gives a complete picture. Large regions need 169 points (13x13).
Is geo-grid data accurate?
Yes. Each point is a live Google Maps query from real coordinates, so it matches what an actual searcher there would see. Rankings shift over time, so repeat scans for the current picture.