Frequently Asked Questions
Since Local Falcon is a different way of visualizing ranking data, we know you have a lot of questions. Let's just start with the basics…
What does Local Falcon do?
Local Falcon displays Google My Business 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). It scans multiple points at varying distances from the target business and displays them at the same onto a Google Map.
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:
Does the Rank Scanner work for all businesses?
Yes!
Our rank scanner works for all businesses, including Service Area Businesses (SAB) with hidden addresses.
What localities does this Rank Scanner work in?
Local Falcon works everywhere in the world and with any language!
How accurate is Local Falcon?
What pricing plans are available?
To provide as much flexibility to as many people as possible, there are four monthly packages, four enterprise packages, and a pay-as-you-go system.
The details of the plans can be found here (when logged in):
https://localfalcon.com/billing/purchase-credits
The details are also available on the public pricing page here: https://www.localfalcon.com/pricing
Credits in the monthly package plans expire at the end of the billing month, while individual credit purchases do not expire and will stay in your account until they are used.
What happened to the old pricing plans?
The old pricing plan of buying individual credits is still available, however we have now added new monthly subscriptions that drastically reduce the cost of credits.
The details of the plans can be found here:
https://localfalcon.com/billing/purchase-credits
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.
What payment processing do you accept?
We can process payments through credit cards and via ACH / Bank Account (using the Stripe system).
Why are the results sometimes different than when I check in my browser?
If you have used your browser to perform a search, Google will remember that and personalize search results it further provides for you. Since we are pulling our data directly from "clean" Google searches, this raw data might be slightly different than a browser search.
If you are performing a search on Google Maps, the zoom level of the map will be a factor as to what results are displayed as well. Since we need to set the zoom to a default level, it might be different than the zoom level you are looking at.
Lastly, we want to stress that rankings are highly variable and dependent on many factors. These include variables such as has the IP address been used before to perform a similar search, are you logged in to Google or not, is the browser in incognito mode, are you using a mobile or desktop. There is no 'perfect' rank scan for local results, because everyone sees slightly different results in a real world scan.
Local Falcon will provide for you a picture of the coverage area of a business for a specific keyword. This helps you compare your listing to competitors, and to see if your optimization tasks are improving the coverage area for specific keywords.
Why are the results sometimes different than some other rank trackers?
Other rank trackers make you choose a location to scan from, usually a zip or postal code, and will choose one spot to scan from within that area. Since a map ranking scan result can be different with even a small amount of distance, it is normal that this difference would sometimes appear.
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.
My industry has a lot of hidden address businesses, can this tool still workl?
Yes! There is no limitation to our scans. All businesses will be displayed in our reports.
Do you save the results of a scan that is performed?
Every scan is saved in your account. Saved scan results will be found in the Results page menu item. Numerous reports are available after a scan is performed
Can your tool scan multi-location businesses at the same time?
Yes. Bulk scans can be performed for multiple locations at once and presented in a single report.
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.
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.
Has Local Falcon been proven to work by others?
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.
How do I cancel my account?
To cancel your subscription, please visit this page and use the 'cancel subscription' button:
https://localfalcon.com/billing/purchase-credits
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 accomodate any auto-scans you may have set up. In order to remove a payment method entirely, all packages must be in a state of cancelation or fully canceled.
Do I need a Google API key for your system to work?
No.
You can use Local Falcon without signing up for any Google API keys.
What does ARP & ATRP mean?
ARP = Average Rank Position
ATRP = Average Total Rank Position
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.
I have a Service Area Business (SAB) and the address is hidden, will Local Falcon still work?
Yes. Local Falcon works with SABs. Most of the time our system will still be able to find the exact location of a listing. However, in those cases where our system is not finding a location, you can manually set a center point by navigating to the Locations tab and using the pencil edit icon to enter an address.
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.
Does Local Falcon have an API?
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!
What is Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature?
Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature saves you time when running Map Scans by providing relevant keyword suggestions based on terms that are already used to find your business on Google, as well as showing you the estimated monthly impressions your business is getting for those terms.
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.
Do I have to connect a Google Business Profile account to use Local Falcon's Suggested Keywords feature?
You must connect the Google Business Profile account you use to manage your business listing(s) if you want to receive suggested keywords based on actual search terms and their volume of impressions.
You can run a Map Scan without a connected Google Business Profile, but you will only receive suggestions based on your business locations' current Google Business Profile categories.
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.
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'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 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.
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.
