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's the best grid size for Map Scans?
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 11 x 11 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.
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 1-2 miles or so is a good place to start. For a sparsely populated rural area, on the other hand, you might use a 10-mile scan radius. It also depends how far you think people are willing to travel or schedule a service from in your target market, which will come down to personal knowledge and experience.
When should I disable certain data points in the scan geo-grid?
Disable any data points over large bodies of water or other irrelevant (unpopulated) areas, like big national parks, where people are not likely to be searching for your business. This will both save credits and ensure you are only looking at the most relevant data.
What scan frequency should I choose for Campaign Scans?
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 Campaign Scans on a monthly basis instead. You don't really ever need to run daily scans, except in very niche scenarios.
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 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 until you start ranking further away from your business location. Check out our blog post on choosing scan settings for more info.
What scan settings can I change?
The main scan settings you can change for any business location are the scan radius and grid size, the keywords scanned for, and the scan frequency for Campaign Scans.
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.
Does the time of day when I scan matter?
Yes, it does. Your local rank can be different when your business is open vs closed.
