The Difference Between Heat Map Ranking Sources

This source tracks how a business ranks when someone searches directly on maps.google.com. When a user opens Google Maps and types in a search like “plumber near me,” Google returns a list of businesses on the map. LeadSnap pulls from that list to build the heat map.

Use this source when you want to know how the client’s GBP is performing for people who go to Google Maps first to find a business. This is common for mobile users, people looking for directions, or anyone specifically browsing the map to compare nearby options.

This source tracks how a business ranks in the Local Pack (also called the “3-Pack”) that appears on google.com. When someone searches for a local service directly on Google, a section near the top of the results page displays three Google Business Profiles with a small map. This is the Local Pack.

Users can also click “More businesses” below the 3-Pack to see an expanded list. This expanded view looks similar to what you’d see on maps.google.com, but it’s not identical — Google can rank businesses slightly differently on google.com than on maps.google.com. The Local Pack source in LeadSnap captures these google.com-specific rankings.

Use this source when you want to know how the client’s GBP appears to someone searching on google.com. This is the most common way people discover local businesses, since it’s front and center on the main Google search results page.

This source tracks how the client’s website ranks in the standard organic (non-map) search results on google.com. These are the regular website listings that appear below the Local Pack section on the search results page.

Unlike Google Maps and Local Pack — which both track GBP rankings — Organic tracks website rankings. This means the heat map is based on where the client’s website shows up in traditional search results, not their Google Business Profile.

Use this source when you want to understand how the client’s website is performing in regular search results. This is especially useful for businesses that invest in website SEO alongside their GBP optimization, and want to see both side by side.