When it comes to tracking your business's online visibility, having the right tools can make all the difference. Google Search Console and Local Falcon are two powerful SEO tracking tools, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding how they work and what they measure can help you decide which one is best for your needs.
What Is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool provided by Google that helps website owners monitor their site's performance in Google Search. It offers insights into search traffic, indexing status, keyword rankings, and technical SEO issues. With GSC, you can:
- See which queries bring traffic to your website.
- Monitor your site's performance in Google Search results.
- Identify and fix indexing problems.
- Submit sitemaps and request page indexing.
- Receive alerts about security issues or penalties.
While GSC is essential for improving a website's search presence, it does not track Google Business Profile (GBP) rankings in local search results or Google Maps.
What Is Local Falcon?
Local Falcon is a Google Maps rank tracking tool designed specifically for local SEO. It allows businesses to monitor their Google Business Profile rankings across different geographic locations, down to a hyperlocal level. Unlike Google Search Console, which focuses on website rankings, Local Falcon provides:
- Geo-grid rank tracking to see where your business ranks in different areas.
- Competitor analysis to compare your GBP performance against others.
- Historical ranking data to track improvements over time.
- Insights into what ranking factors affect your local search visibility, from reviews to business listing information.
Local Falcon helps businesses understand how they appear in local search results, making it an essential tool for local SEO strategies.
Which Google SEO Tracker Should You Be Using for Local Rank Tracking?
Both Google Search Console and Local Falcon are valuable SEO tools, but they serve different purposes and should be used according to their specialties.
- Use Google Search Console if you want to track your website's performance in Google Search, monitor keyword rankings, and resolve technical SEO issues.
- Use Local Falcon if you want to track your Google Business Profile rankings in Google Maps and Search, analyze competitor positioning, and optimize for local SEO.
For businesses that rely on both website traffic and local pack search visibility, using both tools together provides the best insights into your overall SEO performance.
How Google Search Console and Local Falcon Complement Each Other
While Google Search Console and Local Falcon serve different purposes, they work well together for businesses that need a comprehensive SEO strategy.
Google Search Console helps you optimize your website for organic search, ensuring that your content is properly indexed and ranking for relevant keywords. This is essential for driving traffic to your website and improving its authority.
On the other hand, Local Falcon provides a visual representation of your Google Business Profile rankings across different locations, which is critical for guiding your overall local SEO strategy.
For example, if a business sees a drop in local rankings using Local Falcon, they can use Google Search Console to investigate potential issues such as keyword cannibalization, slow site speed, or mobile usability problems that could be affecting local visibility.
By using both tools, businesses can get a complete picture of their online presence, tracking website SEO with Google Search Console while monitoring local search performance with Local Falcon. This dual approach ensures that businesses are not only attracting organic search visitors but also dominating local search results, which is crucial for driving foot traffic and local conversions.
Why Local SEO Requires More Than Just Google Search Console
Many businesses mistakenly believe that Google Search Console alone is enough to track their online performance. While it provides essential website data, it doesn't give insight into how your business appears in local search results, which is critical for brick-and-mortar stores, service-based businesses, and multi-location brands.
Local SEO operates under a different set of ranking factors compared to traditional website SEO. Google Business Profile engagement, proximity to searchers, reviews, and business category selection all play a significant role in local rankings. Without a tool like Local Falcon, businesses are left guessing how they are performing in Google's local pack and Maps results.
For example, a business might rank well in general search results but struggle to appear in local searches for their primary service area. Local Falcon's geo-grid reports can help identify gaps in local visibility, allowing businesses to make adjustments; whether that's optimizing their GBP, improving review quality, or cleaning up local citations.
Ultimately, if local search is a priority, relying solely on Google Search Console will leave businesses with an incomplete SEO strategy. Local Falcon fills this gap, making it an indispensable tool for any business that depends on local customers.
