FAQ — Help Center for GBP Local Ranker

Frequently asked questions

What is Quick Scan?

Quick Scan runs a fast local ranking check for your business on Google Maps. Enter your keyword and location to see where you appear in the map pack and nearby results — without running a full grid scan.

How is Quick Scan different from Grid Ranking?

Quick Scan gives you a snapshot at your business pin. Grid Ranking scans multiple points across your service area on a map grid so you can see how rankings change by neighborhood.

How often should I run a Quick Scan?

We recommend weekly for active campaigns, or after major profile changes (new reviews, photos, posts, or category updates) to measure impact quickly.

Do Quick Scans use my plan credits?

Yes. Quick Scans and grid scans draw from your Local SEO Ranking credits included in your subscription plan. Check Admin → Plan for your monthly allowance.

What is the Keyword Tracker?

Keyword Tracker lets you save target local keywords (e.g. "plumber Austin" or "dentist near me") and monitor how your Google Business Profile ranks for them over time.

How do I add keywords?

Go to Admin → SEO → Keywords. Add keywords manually or use Google & Bing Ideas to discover high-intent local terms, then track them with one click.

Can I track keywords for multiple locations?

Yes. Agency and multi-location plans support separate keyword lists per branch. Each location can have its own keyword set and ranking history.

How is ranking history stored?

Every scan is saved to Ranking History (SEO → Reports). You can compare week-over-week trends and export reports for clients.

How does Competitor tracking work?

After a grid or local scan, GBP Local Ranker identifies nearby businesses ranking for the same keyword. You can compare reviews, ratings, photos, posts, and map position side by side.

What is Gap Analysis?

Gap Analysis highlights where competitors outperform you — review count, star rating, photo volume, posting frequency, and profile strength — with specific actions to close each gap.

Can I add custom competitors?

Yes. Pin competitors from scan results or search by business name on Google Maps to add them to your watch list.

How often are competitor stats updated?

Stats refresh when you run a new scan or open the Competitors dashboard. For the freshest data, run a grid scan at least every 7–14 days.

What is Review Insights?

Review Insights summarizes your Google reviews — average rating, recent trends, unanswered reviews, and common themes — so you know what customers praise or complain about before you reply.

How do I use the review link and QR code?

Go to Admin → QR Codes. Generate a branded QR poster or direct review link for your business. Customers scan or tap to leave a Google review in one step. Place QR codes at checkout, receipts, email signatures, and front desk.

What does the Review Automation do?

Review Automation sends review requests via SMS, email, or QR follow-up after a job is completed. It increases review velocity safely by asking happy customers at the right moment — without offering incentives (which Google prohibits).

Can I set different types of replies based on the star rating?

Yes. In Google Auto Reply settings you can define tone and templates per rating band — warm thank-yous for 5★, empathetic responses for 3★ or below, and optional escalation rules for 1–2★ reviews.

Is it safe to use the Review Automation?

Yes. Asking customers for reviews via email, SMS, or QR is fully compliant with Google's guidelines. We never offer discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews. Sentiment routing can send unhappy customers to private feedback before they post publicly.

What is the Auto-Reply setting?

Auto-Reply uses AI to draft and optionally publish responses to new Google reviews on a schedule you control. You can require manual approval or enable full autopilot for positive reviews only.

Can I write or approve AI replies before sending?

Absolutely. Turn on "Approve before publish" in Reviews settings. AI drafts appear in your queue — edit, approve, or reject each reply before it goes live on Google.

Do I need to reply to all reviews?

Google recommends responding to every review. Replying within 24 hours signals active management and can help rankings. Our AI Auto Reply makes this practical even with hundreds of reviews.

I posted a photo, video, or post in GBP Local Ranker, but it's not showing on Google yet. Why?

Google can take from a few minutes up to 24–48 hours to process new media and posts. If it still doesn't appear, check that your Google account has posting permissions, the content passed our guideline scan, and your GMB connection is active in Settings → Integrations.

Can I schedule photo uploads?

Yes. From GMB Posts & AI you can queue photos with posts or schedule media updates as part of your content calendar. Scheduled items publish automatically at the time you set.

What are Posts?

Google Business Profile Posts are short updates — offers, events, news, or tips — shown on your listing. They keep your profile fresh and give Google fresh content signals for local rankings.

What does Post AI Automation do?

Post AI Automation creates and publishes unique posts for you at the schedule you set (e.g., every 3 days). You can provide prompts or ideas, and the AI will generate posts tailored to your business, category, and location.

Can I review posts before they're published?

Yes. Enable draft or approval mode in GMB Posts settings. AI-generated posts land in your queue where you can edit images, text, and CTAs before they go live.

Can I schedule posts in advance?

Yes. Pick a future date and time for any post. Scheduled posts appear in your calendar and publish automatically through the connected Google Business Profile API.

What business details can I edit from GBP Local Ranker?

You can view and update core listing data synced from Google — name, categories, description, hours, phone, website, and attributes — depending on your verification level and API permissions.

How do I connect my Google Business Profile?

Log in → Admin → Settings → Integrations → Connect Google. Authorize the requested scopes, then select the locations you want to manage.

Can I manage multiple locations?

Yes. Multi-location and agency plans let you switch between branches, run audits per location, and apply bulk updates where Google allows.

Why did my edit not sync to Google?

Some fields require owner verification or are locked by Google. Check the audit report for blocked fields and ensure you have manager or owner access on the listing.

What is Citation Manager?

Citation Manager helps you track where your business NAP (Name, Address, Phone) appears across directories and websites. Consistent citations strengthen local trust signals.

How do I find missing citations?

Run a citation scan from SEO → Backlinks or the Audit Center. We flag inconsistent listings and suggest high-value directories for your industry.

Can I fix incorrect listings from the dashboard?

You can export a correction list and claim/update listings on each directory. Direct editing depends on each platform's claim process — we guide you with step-by-step links.

What is NAP Distribution?

NAP Distribution ensures your business Name, Address, and Phone number are identical everywhere online — Google, Apple Maps, Yelp, Facebook, and industry directories.

Why does NAP consistency matter?

Search engines cross-check your details across the web. Mismatched addresses or phone numbers can confuse Google and hurt local rankings.

How do I check NAP consistency?

Use the GBP Profile Report in Audit Center. It compares your Google listing against known citations and highlights mismatches to fix.

What is Profile Overview?

Profile Overview is your dashboard snapshot — audit score, review count, rating, photo count, recent posts, and priority tasks to improve your Google Business Profile.

What is the Profile Strength score?

Profile Strength is a 0–100 score based on completeness: categories, description length, photos, posts, reviews, hours, attributes, and website. Higher scores correlate with better map visibility.

How do I improve my audit score quickly?

Focus on quick wins: add 10+ photos, write a 750-character description with local keywords, pick secondary categories, reply to unanswered reviews, and publish at least one post this week.

What are AI Insights?

AI Insights are smart recommendations from our AI Agents — review reply drafts, SEO keyword ideas, post suggestions, competitor alerts, and audit fixes tailored to your business data.

Which AI Agents are included?

Six agents cover Reviews, Local SEO, GMB Posts, Audit, Competitors, and Content. Free-tier agents are always available; advanced agents use your plan's AI token allowance.

Can I use my own AI API key?

Yes. In Settings → Integrations you can connect OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, or other supported providers. Your key is stored securely and used only for your account.

Do AI suggestions post automatically?

Only if you enable autopilot. By default, AI generates drafts for you to review and approve before anything is published to Google.

What is a Workspace?

Your workspace is the account container for all businesses, team members, settings, and billing. Each login has one workspace; agency accounts can manage multiple client locations inside it.

Can I invite team members?

Yes. Go to Admin → Team to invite users with role-based access — admin, editor, or view-only — so staff can manage reviews and posts without sharing your Google password.

Is there white-label for agencies?

Agency plans include white-label options — custom logo, domain, and client-facing reports. Contact sales or upgrade from Admin → Plan for details.

What reports are available?

Ranking History, Grid Visibility Reports, GBP Audit PDFs, competitor comparisons, and review performance summaries. Export or share with clients from SEO → Reports.

Can I schedule automated reports?

Yes. Set weekly or monthly email delivery for ranking and audit reports to your inbox or client contacts.

Are reports white-label ready?

Agency plans can add your branding to exported PDFs and report emails before sending to clients.

What is the MCP Server?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini connect to your Business Settings — read branding, GMB connection, notifications, and webhooks through a secure remote API.

How do I connect an AI client to MCP?

Start on our MCP overview page (/mcp), then go to Admin → Settings → MCP Integration. Copy the domain URL config for your AI client and add it as a remote MCP server. No local file paths required.

Is MCP safe?

MCP exposes only Business Settings tools — not your Google password or payment data. Use your production domain URL and keep admin access restricted to trusted team members.

Which tools does MCP support?

17 tools including general settings, GMB status, Netlify publishing, branding, notifications, webhooks, and test webhook — all listed on /mcp and in the Admin MCP tab.

Where can I learn more about MCP?

Open /mcp for platforms, tools, and security. Generate keys and copy configs under Admin → Settings → MCP Integration.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. New accounts get a 4-day trial on Professional features. No credit card required to start. Upgrade anytime from Admin → Plan.

How do I upgrade or change plans?

Go to Admin → Plan or visit Pricing on our website. Choose a plan and complete checkout via Razorpay (cards, UPI, net banking supported in India).

What is your refund policy?

First-time purchases include a 4-day money-back guarantee. See our Refund Policy page for full terms.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Contact support or manage billing from Admin → Settings. Your access continues until the end of the current billing period.

Do you offer agency or multi-location pricing?

Yes. Agency plans support multiple locations and white-label reporting. See Pricing or contact us for custom volume quotes.