Local Falcon is a different way of visualizing ranking data in local search. Below is a list of answers to our most frequently asked questions. For even deeper learning, you can always check out our knowledge base as well.
Answers for:
How accurate is Local Falcon?
As accurate as possible. While there's no one "right" SERP result, we wouldn't have released the tool if it wasn't providing accurate information. If you want more details, check out this article where we compare our scan to two other local rank trackers.
What does Local Falcon do?
Local Falcon is a local rank tracker that scans multiple points at varying distances from the target business. It then displays Google Business Profile rankings for listings that show up either in the Maps portion of the organic search or from a search in the Google Maps Local Finder (i.e. Google Maps).
What payment processing do you accept?
We can process payments through credit cards and via ACH / Bank Account (using the Stripe system).
The difference is that the ARP is an average of only the pins that actually have a result (position 20 or less). ATRP averages all the pins even when a business is not found (20+).
This difference helps you compare if a business is ranking well across a wide area, or if they are ranking well in only a small area in the search grid.
Why are Local Falcon's results sometimes different from the ones I see in my browser?
Rankings are highly variable and dependent on many factors. These variables include whether or not you're logged into Google, if you're browsing incognito, whether or not the IP address has been used for similar searches, and more. Even the zoom level of your map can affect your final results. Local Falcon pulls data from 'clean' Google searches that aren't influenced by previous search history; therefore, they may be slightly different. There is no 'perfect' rank scan for local results, because everyone sees slightly different results in a real-world scan.
What information do you collect about me while using the site?
We will only ask for information that is necessary to be in compliance with the law. For example, we will need your address when upgrading your account to comply with tax regulations. All scan data is saved in your account for future reference and that information is kept on our servers. We are in compliance with GDPR and will not release any information about you or your account without your authorization or compelled to by law.
What pricing plans are available?
To provide as much flexibility to our clients as possible, we offer four retail packages, four enterprise packages, annual packages for both, and a pay-as-you-go system. Credits in the annual packages do not expire until the end of your billing year, credits in the monthly package plans expire at the end of the billing month, and individual credit purchases do not expire and will stay in your account until they are used. The details of each pricing plan are available here when logged in (although we have a public pricing page as well for those who haven't made an account yet).
If I change the address of the business on Google Business Profile (GBP) will the scan still work?
Once the address is officially updated on Google Business Profile, you can update the address in your account by navigating to the Locations tab and using the pencil icon to enter a new address for your listing.
What localities does this Rank Scanner work in?
Local Falcon works everywhere in the world and with any language!
How do I cancel my account?
To cancel your subscription, click the 'cancel subscription' button available on this page. Your existing monthly credits will be available for use until the end of your billing month. If you have any individual credits left in your account, those will not expire and will still be available to you after the end of your billing month.
Note: By canceling your credit package, at the end of your billing month your payment method will remain on file and your Local Falcon account will downgrade to "Pay As You Go" (with no recurring monthly credit package charges). This is done in order to accommodate any auto-scans you may have set up. In order to remove a payment method entirely, all packages must be in a state of cancellation or fully canceled.
Do I need a Google API key to use Local Falcon?
No. You can use Local Falcon without signing up for any Google API keys.
Can I scan my competitor's listings?
Definitely! You can initiate a scan from any listing and our reports will show you exactly how your competitors rank as well.
Can Local Falcon scan multi-location businesses at the same time?
Yes. Multiple locations can be tracked and reported on at the same time.
Do you have a yearly price instead of pay as you go?
At this point in time we only have a pay-as-you-go system, or monthly plans available.
Do I have to always center the scan at my business location?
You are not limited to only scanning from the business location. You can drag the red center pin on the map to re-center the scan point and begin scanning from any point you want.
Why are Local Falcon's results sometimes different from other rank trackers?
Other rank trackers make you choose a location, usually a zip or postal code, and then scan from one spot within that area. Since even a small amount of distance can lead to a different map ranking scan result, it's normal for slight differences to appear.
Do you save scan results?
Every scan you perform is saved in your account. Numerous reports are available after each scan. Saved scan results can be found in the Results page menu item.
The map is not loading at all / There is a white space where the map should be
Please email us if you do not see a map on the Scan page.
You can always try loading the map scan page in another browser. If the maps loads, then it is specific to one browser and we need to change a setting. Here are some setting that may fix the problem.
The scan has different color ranking pins seemingly at random
Normally the best ranking position should be at the location of the business and then the numbered positions should get higher as you radiate away from the center.
If you see a scan that is very jumpy or ranks better further away from the center point, this can indicate an error and we would be happy to take a look at the specific search.
The scan is showing no result (20+) but that does not make sense
There are millions of businesses with all kinds different variables and although we have done our best to accommodate the majority of them, there will always be some that don't fit the mold for whatever (technical) reason.
As always, we appreciate your continued use, and if you have any questions feel free to contact us at account [at] localfalcon.com.
The map doesn't have a grid when I choose a listing from my dropdown.
This occurs when the API was not able to find a center point for your (hidden address) listing. To correct this issue, navigate to the Locations tab and use the pencil edit icon to manually set a center point.
How to use the Local Falcon Map Scan tool (step-by-step guide + video)
Using the Local Falcon Map Scan tool only takes a few steps. While there are multiple ways to perform a scan (Map Scan, Bulk Scanner, or via the API), we've outlined the basics in the steps and in the video, below:
How to Use Local Falcon:
You must have at least one keyword and one business in-mind (e.g. "Pizza Hut" wants to search for "Pizza Delivery Near Me").
Visit the Map Scan tool and select the business from your location list.
Add the keyword(s) you would like to track (tip: use the new "Suggested Keywords" feature for a few ideas about where the business is already ranking).
Choose the grid size (our most popular is the 7x7) and radius (1 mile, 2 miles, etc.).
Tap "Run Scan" and when the scan is complete you can view the Scan Report (tip: you can also share the report with by tapping the share icon).
Don't forget you can also convert your favorite scans into "auto scans" so you can see how business ranking changes over time by using the popular "Trend Report".
Here's a quick overview video, narrated by Yan Gilbert:
Do I have to connect a Google Business Profile account to use Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature?
If you want to receive suggested keywords based on actual search terms and their volume of impressions, you must connect the Google Business Profile account you use to manage your business listing(s). If you don't, you will only receive suggestions based on your business locations' current Google Business Profile categories.
Data Retrieval API: This API pulls scan data from standard Local Falcon scans and pools them in your custom reporting tool.
On-Demand Scan API: This API allows you to build your own custom interface and reporting tools. This grants you full control over the input and output of Local Falcon data.
Has Local Falcon been proven to work by others?
We'd like to think that it has, yes! We've been pretty well-reviewed over the years—we've even been covered by Fox News!
Can I share the results of a local ranking report?
Yes! It's easy to share the results of your Local Falcon scans. Just tap the "share" button on the report page. Sharing is available on all report types and for all account types. No login is necessary to view the results of a scan, and the reporting URL is provided in a "white label" format so you don't have to let the recipient know what tool you used to perform the scan, either!
How can I get started with the Looker Studio (formerly 'Google Data Studio') Integration for Local Falcon?
There are numerous applications for creating custom Local Falcon reports using Looker Studio, and getting started is simple! Our Knowledge Base has a step by step tutorial on how to get started: Using the Looker Studio Integration for Local Falcon.
How can I get support on the Looker Studio Integration for Local Falcon?
In addition to finding us on our live chat, or by emailing us directly, you can also use the step by step guide found over in our Knowledge Base. We've created a detailed article here: Using the Looker Studio Integration for Local Falcon.
What is Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature?
Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature provides relevant keyword suggestions for Map Scans. These suggestions are based on terms consumers use to find your business on Google. This feature also shows you the estimated monthly impressions your business is getting for those terms.
The larger the grid you select, the more data points your Map Scan uses, which means you get more detailed data and more accurate ARP and ATRP scores.
In general, it's always better to use more data points, but each data point you use also adds to the cost of your Map Scan, which is why you may sometimes choose to use smaller grids, depending on your budget and the number of locations you want to run scans for.
For example, Map Scans using 7 x 7 grids offer a good balance between detail of data and cost, which is why this is one of the most popular Grid Sizes among Local Falcon users, especially those running lots of scans for multiple locations.
Does the Looker Studio integration for Local Falcon incur any additional cost?
Nope! This is a free tool provided by the data nerds at Local Falcon. It is important to point out that you must be using a "Basic" subscription (or higher) in order to connect to Looker Studio.
Is the Looker Studio integration for Local Falcon white labeled?
Yes! If you are on the "Basic" subscription tier or higher, all of the data which appears in Looker Studio is white-labeled.
What is the Map Scan Radius?
The Map Scan Radius is a search area defined by the distance from your business that your Map Scan covers (in all directions), as well as the number of data points you are using within the search area.
Changing these parameters allows you to see better, more detailed data on how your business ranks for different keywords at specific distances, so you can pinpoint exactly where your rankings for different keywords start to fall off.
What Local Falcon Report Types are available in the Looker Studio integration?
All of them! In addition to the standard Local Falcon reports (Scan Report, Trend Report, Keyword Report and Location Report), power users of Looker Studio can blend data to create custom outputs and reports.
Where can I find Suggested Keywords in Local Falcon?
Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords will appear in the keyword search bar drop-down when you go to the Map Scan tool and select a business location to run a scan for.
Can I run a Local Falcon Map Scan using multiple Suggested Keywords?
You can select as many keywords as you want from the Suggested Keywords and run simultaneous Map Scans for all of them. Keep in mind that each scan will still cost the same number of credits.
When should I disable certain data points in the Map Scan Radius Grid?
Disable any data points over large bodies of water or other irrelevant areas, where people are not likely to be searching for your business on Google, to save credits on your Map Scan.
How do I send a Local Falcon Report to Looker Studio?
There are two ways to send Reports to Looker Studio. You can either view and send any Report directly from the Report's screen in Local Falcon, or select a recent Report to send using a Looker Studio Template.
What type of Local Falcon plan do I need to send Local Falcon Reports to Looker Studio?
You must have a Basic Local Falcon subscription or higher in order to use the Looker Studio integration and all of its features.
Can I edit Reports I send to Looker Studio?
Yes! Any Local Falcon report you send to Looker Studio, including those generated using Looker Studio Templates, is fully downloadable, editable, and shareable.
What are Looker Studio Templates?
Looker Studio Templates are custom Report templates we've built out for different types of Local Falcon Reports, making it easier to instantly get the data visualization you need when you send Reports to Looker Studio.
Can I export all of my scans to a CSV?
Yes! There are many ways to do this; however, you'll need to run a scan at least twice in order to export in bulk or use Campaigns. You can also use this Looker Studio Template if neither of those cases are applicable to you.
What should I do if I'm not sure what Scan Settings to use for Campaigns?
We recommend running individual "baseline" scans for the business locations you want to create campaigns for in order to get an idea of what settings to use (this will also help you determine which business locations make the most sense to group together in Campaigns).
Do I have to send Campaign Report notification emails after Campaign Auto Scans?
No. You can choose not to send Campaign Report notification emails while creating a new Campaign, or turn them off for existing Campaigns at any time.
Can I edit a Campaign after I create it?
Yes! You can edit the business locations and keywords, Campaign schedule, and Campaign Report notification email, as well as toggle the Campaign on and off, at any time after you create a Campaign in Local Falcon. Grid Size and Scan Radius settings can be edited up until the first scan runs.
How do I know if I'm using the optimal Scan Settings?
Many of the scan settings, such as Grid Size, Scan Frequency, and the number of keywords scanned for, will come down to preference. For Scan Radius, however, you want a majority of your data points to be green or yellow; if most of them are red, you'll want to use a smaller radius. Check out our blog on choosing Scan Settings for more info.
What Scan Settings can I change?
The main Scan Settings you can change are the Scan Radius and Grid Size, the number of keywords scanned for, and the Scan Frequency for Auto Scans.
What Scan Radius should I use?
Broadly speaking, the more densely populated the area is, the smaller the radius should be. For a densely populated urban area, a radius of 1.5 miles or so is a good place to start; for a sparsely populated rural area, meanwhile, you might use a 10-mile scan radius.
How should I group multiple business locations together for Campaigns?
Campaigns work best when you group together businesses that are in areas with similar population densities, such as businesses in rural areas and businesses in urban centers. You can also create Location Groups, and add those groups to a Campaign.
What are Campaigns in Local Falcon?
The Campaigns tool allows you to schedule recurring Auto Scans for one or more business locations, using the same Scan Settings and delivering automated Campaign Reports to you and anyone else you want to keep in the loop each time a scan is completed.
What Scan Frequency should I choose for Auto Scans?
You don't really ever need to run daily scans, except in very niche scenarios. Weekly and bi-weekly scheduled scans are the most cost-effective options, as they offer a good balance between data frequency and credit usage. If budget is a concern, you may opt to run scans on a monthly basis instead.
What are Local Falcon Scan Settings?
Scan Settings are various settings you can choose for running Map Scans in Local Falcon to optimize your Local Rank Tracking data visualization and Local Falcon credit usage.
What options are there if I keep running out of credits?
You can enable auto-recharge or upgrade to one of our retail or enterprise packages. We would also highly recommend you consider moving to an annual package, because you will get a full year's worth of credits immediately (and those credits do not expire until the end of your yearly billing cycle).
Pay as you Go credits purchased through auto-recharge have the benefit of not expiring, however, we're continuously adding new features so your credits won't go to waste if you upgrade your monthly subscription.
If you exceed the enterprise pricing, you can email us at account [at] localfalcon.com for a custom pricing package.
What should my SoLV be?
SolV goal is always 100 but in some cases that isn't going to happen for a number of reasons. We recommend running a few scans to see how far you currently reach then using that info set a goal on how far you want to reach in x number of months.
Use that distance goal when setting up your reports then strive to get as close to 100 as possible.
Depending on how competitive the area is this may not be possible so I would then use the competitor report to see who has the highest SoLV in the area and set the goal to surpass them.
Is there any way to make my Local Falcon credits roll over to the next month?
You can prevent your unused credits from going to waste by signing up for an annual credit package. That way, your credits only expire a year from the date you signed up for an annual subscription to Local Falcon.
Are annual subscription tiers the same as monthly subscription levels?
Although the same subscription tiers are available for both annual and monthly subscribers, annual subscriptions offer some additional features at lower tiers that monthly subscribers don't get access to.
Are there special annual Local Falcon credit packages available for enterprise clients?
Yes, Local Falcon offers a range of annual enterprise credit packages for large enterprises that need significantly more credits than our standard annual subscription packages offer.
Does Local Falcon offer annual subscriptions?
Yes! Local Falcon offers a number of annual credit packages, which are the most cost-effective way to use Local Falcon.
