How to Track GBP on Ranktracker: Step-by-Step Guide for Local SEO

Introduction: Why Tracking Your Google Business Profile Matters

If you run a local business – a restaurant, a plumber’s service, a dental clinic, or any shop that serves customers in a specific city or area – then your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of your most powerful online assets. It is the listing that shows up when someone searches for businesses like yours on Google Search or Google Maps.

But here is the thing: simply having a Google Business Profile is not enough. You need to know how it is performing. You need to know which keywords are bringing people to your listing, how high your business ranks for those keywords, and whether your ranking is going up or down over time. That is where tracking comes in.

Ranktracker is a popular SEO tool that lets you monitor your website’s search rankings and – importantly – your Google Business Profile rankings as well. When used correctly, Ranktracker gives you a clear picture of how visible your local business is in Google Search and Google Maps results.

In this guide, you will learn exactly how to track GBP on Ranktracker, step by step. Whether you are completely new to SEO tools or just new to Ranktracker, this article will walk you through everything in plain, simple language.

Section 1: Understanding the Basics

What Is a Google Business Profile (GBP)?

A Google Business Profile, previously known as Google My Business (GMB), is a free listing that Google provides to local businesses. When someone searches for a business type in a specific location – for example, “best pizza near me” or “dentist in Austin” – Google shows a set of local results. These are called the “Local Pack” or the “Map Pack.”

Your GBP is what determines whether your business shows up in that Local Pack. It contains information like your business name, address, phone number, opening hours, photos, reviews, and more.

Key Point: Appearing in the Google Map Pack can dramatically increase foot traffic and phone calls to your business. That is why tracking your GBP rankings is so important.

What Is Ranktracker?

Ranktracker is an all-in-one SEO platform designed to help businesses and marketers monitor their search engine rankings. It tracks keywords, analyses competitors, audits websites, and provides data to help you improve your online visibility.

One of the standout features of Ranktracker is its ability to track local SEO rankings – specifically, how your business appears in Google Maps results for different search terms. This is the feature we will be focusing on in this guide.

What Does “Tracking GBP on Ranktracker” Mean?

When we talk about tracking your GBP on Ranktracker, we mean setting up Ranktracker to monitor the keyword rankings of your Google Business Profile. Specifically, you want to see:

• Which keywords your GBP appears for in Google Search and Google Maps
• What position your GBP holds for each keyword
• How your rankings change over time (are you going up or down?)
• How your GBP rankings compare to your competitors in the same area

By tracking this data regularly, you can make informed decisions about your local SEO strategy.

Section 2: Setting Up Ranktracker for Local SEO

Step 1 – Create Your Ranktracker Account

Before you can track anything, you need a Ranktracker account. Here is how to get started:

1. Go to the Ranktracker website and sign up for an account. They offer different pricing plans, including a free trial, so you can test the platform before committing.
2. Once you have signed up, log in to your dashboard. This is your central hub where all your projects, rankings, and reports will live.
3. Take a moment to familiarise yourself with the dashboard layout. You will see options for adding new projects, viewing keyword rankings, running site audits, and more.

Beginner Tip: Start with the free trial to get comfortable with the platform. You do not need to pay right away to begin exploring how GBP tracking works.

Step 2 – Create a New Project for Your Business

In Ranktracker, all your tracking happens inside “projects.” Each project represents one business or website. Here is how to create one:

4. Click the “Add New Project” button on your dashboard.
5. Enter your business website URL. Even if you are primarily focused on tracking your GBP, you still need to link a website. If your business does not have a website, you can use your GBP URL (the link to your Google Business Profile).
6. Give your project a clear name. For example: “Mario’s Pizza – Local SEO” or “Downtown Dental Clinic.”
7. Select the country and language for your business. This tells Ranktracker which version of Google to pull rankings from.
8. Click “Save” or “Create Project” to proceed.

Once your project is created, you will be taken to the project dashboard, where you can start adding keywords and configuring local tracking settings.

Step 3 – Configure Local Search Settings

This is one of the most important steps. Without properly setting your location, Ranktracker will not know which geographic area to track your rankings in.

9. Inside your project, go to the Settings or Configuration section.
10. Find the option for “Location” or “Local Search Settings.”
11. Enter the specific city, region, or zip/postal code where you want to track your GBP. For example, if your business is in Brooklyn, New York, enter “Brooklyn, NY” or the relevant zip code.
12. Set the search engine to Google. For tracking GBP specifically, you will also want to enable Google Maps tracking if the option is available in your plan.
13. Save your settings.

Important: The location you set here must match where your customers are searching from. If you run a neighbourhood bakery in Manchester, UK, do not set your location to the entire UK – set it to Manchester specifically for accurate local results.

Section 3: Adding Keywords to Track Your GBP

Why Keywords Are the Foundation of GBP Tracking

Keywords are the search terms that people type into Google when looking for businesses like yours. For example:

• “Italian restaurant near me”
• “emergency plumber London”
• “yoga studio downtown Chicago”
• “car service centre Birmingham”

Your GBP may rank differently for each of these keywords. Some keywords might land you in position 1 of the Local Pack, while others might put you at position 7 or lower. By tracking keywords in Ranktracker, you can see exactly where you stand for each one.

Step 4 – Research the Right Keywords for Your GBP

Before adding keywords to Ranktracker, you need to figure out which keywords matter most for your business. Here is a simple approach:

Think Like Your Customer

Ask yourself: what would someone type into Google if they were looking for my business? Write down at least 10 to 20 potential search terms.

Use Ranktracker’s Keyword Finder

Ranktracker has a built-in Keyword Finder tool. Use it to:

• Discover keywords related to your business type and location
• See how many people search for each keyword every month (search volume)
• Understand how difficult it is to rank for each keyword (keyword difficulty)

Focus on Location-Based Keywords

For GBP tracking, the most valuable keywords are those that include a location. These are called “geo-targeted keywords.” Examples include:

• “[Service] in [City]” – e.g., “nail salon in Miami”
• “[Service] near [Landmark]” – e.g., “coffee shop near Times Square”
• “Best [Service] [City]” – e.g., “best divorce lawyer Seattle”
• “[City] [Service]” – e.g., “Chicago roofing contractor”

Pro Tip: Do not ignore “near me” keywords even though they do not contain a specific city name. Google personalises “near me” results based on the user’s location. You can still track how your GBP performs for these searches by setting your location correctly in Ranktracker.

Step 5 – Add Keywords to Your Ranktracker Project

Now it is time to add those keywords to your project so Ranktracker starts tracking them. Here is how:

14. Open your project in Ranktracker.
15. Navigate to the “Rank Tracker” or “Keywords” section.
16. Click “Add Keywords” or the “+” button.
17. Type in each keyword you want to track. You can add them one by one or paste in a list.
18. For each keyword, make sure the search engine is set to Google and the location matches your local settings.
19. If you want to track your ranking specifically in Google Maps (not just organic search), look for a “Google Maps” or “Local Pack” tracking option and enable it.
20. Click “Save” or “Start Tracking.”

Ranktracker will now begin pulling data for each keyword. Depending on the tool, it may take a few minutes to a few hours to populate the initial results.

Section 4: Linking Your Google Business Profile to Ranktracker

Why You Need to Connect Your GBP

Simply tracking keywords is useful, but to see how your Google Business Profile specifically is performing – rather than just your website – you need to make sure Ranktracker is looking at your GBP listing.

Some features in Ranktracker allow you to directly input your GBP details so the tool knows which listing to monitor. Here is how to do that:

Step 6 – Add Your GBP Details to Your Project

21. Inside your Ranktracker project, look for a section labelled “Local SEO,” “Google Business Profile,” or “Business Information.”
22. Enter your exact business name as it appears on your Google Business Profile. This is very important – even small differences (like “The” at the beginning or abbreviations) can cause tracking issues.
23. Enter your business address exactly as it appears on your GBP.
24. Enter your phone number and, if prompted, your GBP category (e.g., “Italian Restaurant” or “Plumbing Service”).
25. Save the information.

With these details in place, Ranktracker can match your business listing against search results and report your GBP-specific rankings accurately.

Step 7 – Enable Google Maps Rank Tracking

Standard keyword tracking shows you how your website ranks in Google’s organic (regular) search results. But for GBP tracking, what really matters is how you rank in Google Maps and the Local Pack.

Here is how to enable Maps-specific tracking in Ranktracker:

26. Go to your keyword settings within the project.
27. For each relevant keyword, look for a checkbox or toggle that says “Track Google Maps” or “Local Pack Tracking.”
28. Enable this for all location-based keywords you want to monitor.
29. Save your changes.

Why This Matters: Organic rankings and Local Pack rankings are completely different. Your website might rank on page 2 of Google organically, but your GBP could be in position 1 of the Map Pack. Tracking both separately gives you a complete picture.

Section 5: Reading and Understanding Your GBP Ranking Data

Step 8 – Navigate to Your Rankings Dashboard

Once your keywords are set up and tracking has started, you can view your GBP ranking data. Here is what to look for:

30. Go to your project and click on “Rank Tracker” or “Rankings.”
31. You will see a table showing all your tracked keywords.
32. For each keyword, you will see columns such as: Current Position, Previous Position, Best Position, Search Volume, and Change (how much your ranking has moved).

Understanding the Key Metrics

Current Position

This tells you where your GBP or website currently ranks for a given keyword. Position 1 means you are at the top of the results. The lower the number, the better. For local SEO, positions 1 through 3 in the Map Pack are the most valuable because those are the results that appear on the first page of Google without clicking anything extra.

Previous Position

This shows where you ranked the last time Ranktracker checked. Comparing current and previous positions tells you whether you are moving up or down. A green arrow usually means you have gained positions, while a red arrow means you have dropped.

Best Position

This is the highest ranking you have ever achieved for that keyword. It is a useful benchmark to show you what is possible and motivate you to return to that peak if you have dropped.

Search Volume

Search volume tells you how many people search for that keyword per month, on average. A keyword with a high search volume and a top 3 ranking in the Local Pack is extremely valuable for your business.

Visibility Score

Ranktracker may show an overall visibility score for your project. This is a summary metric that combines your rankings across all tracked keywords. A higher visibility score means you are ranking well across the board.

Step 9 – Analyse Ranking Trends Over Time

One data point is just a snapshot. The real power of Ranktracker comes from seeing how your rankings change over weeks and months. Here is how to use trend data effectively:

33. In your rankings view, look for a chart or graph option. Most ranking tools let you view a line chart showing your position for a keyword over time.
34. Select a keyword and view its ranking history. Look for patterns: are you steadily climbing? Did you drop after a certain date? Did a spike in rankings coincide with changes you made to your GBP or website?
35. Use the date range selector to zoom in on specific time periods. For example, you might want to compare this month to last month, or look at an entire year.

Trend Analysis Tip: If you notice a sudden drop in rankings, think back to what changed around that time. Did you update your GBP? Did Google change its algorithm? Did a competitor open nearby? Understanding the cause helps you fix the problem.

Section 6: Competitor Tracking for Local SEO

Why You Should Track Competitors

Your GBP does not exist in a vacuum. Every time someone searches for your type of business, they see a list of results – and your competitors are right there alongside you. Understanding how your competitors rank can reveal opportunities and help you stay ahead.

Step 10 – Add Competitors to Ranktracker

36. In your project, find the “Competitor Tracking” or “Competition” section.
37. Click “Add Competitor” and enter the website or GBP name of a competing business.
38. Repeat this for two to five of your main local competitors.
39. Save and allow Ranktracker to start pulling competitor ranking data.

Once competitors are added, you will be able to see side-by-side comparisons showing how your GBP ranks versus theirs for the same keywords. This is invaluable intelligence.

What to Look For in Competitor Data

• Which keywords are competitors ranking higher for that you are not? These represent opportunities to improve.
• Which keywords are you outranking them for? Double down on these to maintain your edge.
• Are any competitors consistently in positions 1 through 3 for high-volume keywords? Study what they are doing on their GBP – how many reviews they have, how often they post updates, what categories they use.

Section 7: Setting Up Automated Reports

Why Automate Your Reports?

Manually checking Ranktracker every day is time-consuming. Automated reports solve this problem by sending you a summary of your GBP rankings on a schedule – daily, weekly, or monthly.

Step 11 – Create an Automated Ranking Report

40. In Ranktracker, go to the “Reports” section of your project.
41. Click “Create New Report” or “Schedule Report.”
42. Choose what data to include: keyword rankings, position changes, competitor comparison, visibility score, and so on.
43. Select the frequency: daily, weekly, or monthly. For most businesses, a weekly report is the sweet spot – frequent enough to catch problems, but not so frequent that it overwhelms you with data.
44. Enter the email address(es) where the report should be sent.
45. Save and activate the report schedule.

Now you will automatically receive a report in your inbox showing how your GBP is performing. You can share this with your marketing team, your clients, or anyone else who needs to stay informed.

Best Practice: Review your weekly reports every Monday morning. Compare this week’s rankings to last week’s and note any significant changes. This habit keeps you on top of your local SEO performance without spending hours in the tool.

Section 8: Optimising Your GBP Based on Ranking Data

Turning Data Into Action

Tracking your GBP is only valuable if you use the data to make improvements. Here are actionable steps you can take based on what Ranktracker shows you:

If Your Rankings Are Low for Important Keywords

• Update your GBP description to naturally include those keywords.
• Make sure your primary and secondary business categories are set correctly. Category selection is one of the biggest ranking factors for GBP.
• Add keyword-rich posts to your GBP regularly. Google Posts appear in your listing and can help signal relevance for specific topics.
• Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) is consistent across your website, GBP, and all other online directories. Inconsistencies confuse Google and can hurt rankings.

If Your Rankings Have Dropped

• Check if any GBP information changed recently (new address, phone number, or name). If so, update everything across the web.
• Review your reviews. A sudden influx of negative reviews can damage rankings. Respond professionally to negative reviews and encourage happy customers to leave positive ones.
• Look at whether new competitors have opened in your area. If a stronger competitor entered the scene, you may need to work harder on your GBP optimisation.
• Check if Google updated its local search algorithm. Major Google algorithm updates can cause ranking shifts across the board.

If Competitors Are Consistently Outranking You

• Study their GBP profiles in detail. How many reviews do they have? How frequently do they post? Do they have more photos?
• Work on building more authentic customer reviews. Reviews are one of the top GBP ranking factors.
• Add more high-quality photos to your GBP. Businesses with more photos often rank higher because they signal engagement and authenticity.
• Make sure you are responding to all reviews, both positive and negative. Engagement signals matter.

Section 9: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tracking the Wrong Keywords

Many businesses make the mistake of tracking overly broad or irrelevant keywords. For example, if you are a local florist in Denver, tracking the keyword “flowers” is not useful because that is a national-level keyword with millions of competitors. Instead, track “florist in Denver” or “flower delivery Denver.”

Ignoring Location Settings

If your location is not set correctly in Ranktracker, all your data will be wrong. Always double-check that your city, region, and zip code are accurate before you begin tracking.

Not Tracking Enough Keywords

Some businesses track only one or two keywords and miss the full picture. Track at least 10 to 15 relevant keywords to get a comprehensive understanding of your GBP visibility. Different customers search in different ways, and you need to account for that variety.

Checking Rankings Too Infrequently

If you only look at your rankings once every few months, problems can go unnoticed for too long. Set up weekly automated reports (as described in Section 7) so you always have a current view.

Not Acting on the Data

This is perhaps the biggest mistake of all. Tracking data is only valuable if you use it to make improvements. Do not just collect numbers – analyse them and take action.

Section 10: Advanced Tips for Getting More From GBP Tracking

Track Multiple Locations

If your business has more than one location – for example, a chain of coffee shops or a law firm with offices in two cities – create a separate Ranktracker project for each location. This allows you to track GBP performance at each location independently and compare them to see which locations need more attention.

Use the SERP Analyser for Deeper Insights

Ranktracker includes a SERP (Search Engine Results Page) analyser that lets you see exactly what the Google results look like for any given keyword. Use this to:

• See which competitors are in the Map Pack for your target keywords
• Understand what types of content Google is favouring for those searches
• Identify any featured snippets, People Also Ask boxes, or other SERP features that could affect your visibility

Monitor Your Website in Combination With Your GBP

Local SEO is most powerful when your GBP and your website work together. While your GBP ranks in the Map Pack, your website can rank in the organic results below. By tracking both in Ranktracker, you can dominate the entire first page of Google for local searches.

Track Seasonal Keyword Performance

Many local businesses see seasonal fluctuations in demand. For example, a landscaping company might get far more searches in spring and summer than in winter. By reviewing ranking trends across different seasons, you can plan your marketing efforts ahead of time and ramp up optimisation before your peak season begins.

Use the Data for Google Ads Decisions

If you are running Google Ads (including Local Services Ads), your Ranktracker data can inform your bidding strategy. If you are already ranking very well organically for a keyword, you might not need to spend heavily on paid ads for that term. Conversely, if your GBP ranking is weak for a high-value keyword, paid ads can bridge the gap while you work on improving your organic performance.

Conclusion: Start Tracking Today

Tracking your Google Business Profile on Ranktracker is one of the smartest investments you can make in your local SEO strategy. When you know exactly how your GBP is performing – which keywords are driving visibility, how you compare to competitors, and how your rankings change over time – you gain the power to make real improvements that bring in more customers.

To quickly recap the steps covered in this guide:

46. Create your Ranktracker account and set up a new project for your business.
47. Configure your location settings accurately so the tool tracks the right geographic area.
48. Research and add the most relevant local keywords for your business type and city.
49. Link your Google Business Profile details to the project.
50. Enable Google Maps rank tracking for your keywords.
51. Monitor your rankings dashboard regularly and study trends over time.
52. Add competitors to compare your performance against theirs.
53. Set up automated weekly reports so you never miss a change.
54. Use the data to make targeted improvements to your GBP and local SEO strategy.

Local SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Search rankings change constantly as competitors optimise their profiles, as Google updates its algorithms, and as customer search behaviour evolves. But with Ranktracker in your toolkit and the knowledge from this guide, you are well-equipped to stay visible, stay competitive, and grow your local business through better search rankings.

Start tracking today, and let the data guide your next move.

About the Author

Jay Patel is the Founder of XSquareSEO, a full-service SEO agency with experience in on-page SEO, eCommerce SEO, link building, technical SEO, SaaS SEO, and local SEO. For more information, feel free to contact us. 

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