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:
What does Local Falcon do?
Local Falcon is a complete local SEO intelligence platform. It helps businesses and agencies understand, optimize, and automate their local search visibility across Google, Apple, and leading AI-powered search platforms.
Analyze Google reviews and understand sentiment with the AI-powered Reviews Analysis tool.
Get AI-generated performance insights and optimization recommendations from Falcon AI.
Automate ongoing reporting and visibility tracking for multiple locations and platforms with Campaign Reports.
Research local keywords for both traditional and AI search with the Local Keyword Tool.
Monitor Google Business Profile changes and performance metrics with Falcon Guard.
Analyze competitors with detailed Competitor Reports that compare rankings, visibility, and opportunities to increase share of voice.
Local Falcon gives you a single place to see how your business appears across local and AI search, and the tools to improve that visibility at scale.
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.
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.
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 your "Saved Locations" from the "Locations" drop-down and clicking the button with the pencil icon to enter a new address for your listing. This will ensure you continue to receive accurate scan results.
What localities does this local rank tracker work in?
Local Falcon works everywhere in the world and with any language!
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 being compelled to by law.
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.
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 "Reports" drop-down menu in your Local Falcon Dashboard.
How do I use the Local Falcon Map Scan tool?
Using the Local Falcon Map Scan tool only takes a few simple steps. You can run scans manually with the Quick Scan tool, automate them with Campaigns, or even trigger them through the API. Here's how to get started with a Quick Scan:
Choose a business and keywords. Go to the Quick Scan tool and select the business you want to analyze from your location list. Add at least one keyword to scan, though we recommend starting with 5-10 for better insights. (Tip: check the Suggested Keywords to discover search terms your business already ranks for as well as AI-generated ideas.)
Set your Map Scan Radius and Grid Size. Pick your grid size (the 9×9 grid is most popular) and choose a radius based on your market type:
Urban: ~2 miles
Suburban: ~5 miles
Rural: ~10 miles
Run your scan. Click "Run Scan" to start analyzing your local rankings.
View and share your results. When the scan finishes, open the Scan Report to see your rankings on the map grid. You can share it instantly by clicking the Share icon.
Automate your tracking (optional). Set up a CampaignScan for multiple locations or schedule a recurring Auto Scan from an individual Scan Report to automatically track visibility over time.
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.
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.
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 my SoLV be?
The ultimate SoLV goal is always 100, but in most 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 (i.e., grid points where you have a SoLV above 0), 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 your SoLV to as close to 100 as possible.
However, depending on how competitive the area is, getting your SoLV to 100 may not be possible. You could then use the Competitor Report to see who has the highest SoLV in the area and set the goal to surpass them.
What's the difference between Google Maps locations and Apple Maps locations?
Google Maps locations are businesses listed via Google Business Profile, while Apple Maps locations are businesses listed via Apple Business Connect.
In terms of relevance, Google Business Profile listings are much more widely used, as it's the preferred maps app for the majority of mobile users, regardless of device type. On the other hand, Apple Maps is the default maps app for iOS users, though many users replace the native Apple Maps app with Google Maps.
Why does my old report display my current business information?
If you ran the scan before July 26, 2024, the business information displayed in reports (name, address, reviews) automatically updates to the most recent info. All reports from scans run after July 26, 2024 will display the business info as it appeared at the time of the scan.
Do past reports show old business information?
Yes, all reports for scans run after July 26, 2024 show the business name, address, and review score/number of reviews as they appeared at the time of the scan. Any reports from before then automatically update to display the most recent information.
When adding a tracking number to my Google Business Profile should I add it as the primary phone number or seconday?
You'll want to add it as the primary phone number and then move your business phone number as a secondary. This way the tracking number will capture usage properly while not impacting NAP consistency.
What is SoLV Distance?
SoLV Distance measures how far away from your business you rank in the top 3 compared to how far your competitors rank in the top 3 from their locations. A higher SoLV Distance means your high-ranking visibility covers a wider geographic area. The goal is to match or exceed the competitor average to demonstrate strong local reach.
Your Distance: The average distance to all grid points where you rank in the top 3.
Competitor Average Distance: The same calculation averaged across all competitors.
What is Local Falcon's AI Reviews Analysis tool?
The AI Reviews Analysis tool instantly analyzes Google reviews for your business and its top competitors. It provides an in-depth report on overall sentiment, highlighting what's working and what's not, giving you valuable insights drawn from specific feedback, and offering up strategic suggestions for how to get more positive reviews that could boost your ranking in local search results.
What are Metric Insights in Local Falcon Scan Reports?
Metric Insights are advanced data points included in Scan Reports that help you understand how your business compares to competitors across the scanned area. These metric insights — SoLV Distance, OSoLV, and Competitors — highlight your geographic ranking reach, your potential to close the gap with top performers, and the number of businesses that truly compete with you for top-ranking positions. They provide deeper context beyond ARP, ATRP, and SoLV so you can make more informed local SEO decisions.
What is the Competitors Metric Insight section in Scan Reports?
The Competitors metric shows how many businesses appear in the scan area and how many are actually competing with you for top rankings. This helps you understand the true competitive landscape by distinguishing between all local listings and the smaller group that directly impacts your visibility.
Total Competitors: Every unique listing detected in the scan.
Active Competitors (SoLV > 0): Only businesses that show up in the top 3 at least once.
What is OSoLV (Opportunity Share of Local Voice)?
OSoLV measures your opportunity to become the top-ranking business by comparing your Share of Local Voice (SoLV) directly to the best-performing competitor in the scan. Closing the gap between your SoLV and the Top SoLV indicates progress toward market leadership in your local area.
Your SoLV: How often you appear in the top 3 search results.
