Track a business's Google Maps rank across a geo-grid, in Python
Ask a dentist where they rank on Google Maps for "dentist" and they will search from their own chair and say "first". Two kilometres away, a customer searching the same word sees a different list, and the clinic may be eighth, or missing. Google Maps ranks local businesses partly by where the searcher's map is, so a single rank number is a guess. The useful answer is a grid: the same search run…
A Python script is used to track a business's position on Google Maps across a grid of points. This method provides a more accurate ranking than a single point, as Google Maps uses a business's location for its rankings. The script collects data from multiple points surrounding the business, then presents a grid of ranks at each location.
This grid allows for an easy visual comparison of a business's ranking at different locations, highlighting where it ranks higher or lower than competitors. The script can be set up to run weekly, giving insights into changes in rankings over time. The business can be identified by its name, Google place ID, or Google Maps link.
The grid shows the rank from first (1) to 20th place, or 'null' if the business is not in the top 20. Summary statistics include average rank, the number of times the business appeared in the top 3, 10, or 20, and the businesses most often in the top 3. The script is a paid tool called Google Maps Rank Tracker, with costs based on the number of grid points searched and saved.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
