
With location changing the SERPs so much, rank tracking doesn't get any less useful - but it does get harder. How do assess results with crucial limited personalization?

THE PROBLEM FOR SEO: As SERPs differ for searchers depending on their location, accurate rank tracking becomes a challenge.

Searchers within the same city, standing just a few miles away from each other, will often see different results for the same search term, especially in the local pack. HOW IT WORKS: Physical businesses and places closest to the searcher are displayed in the local pack and higher up in the organic results.įor the most part, location data affects searches that imply that the user is looking for a physical place-thus a major factor for local businesses. This may not be as precise, but it'll still give Google grounds to tailor search results to your location. If you are not connected to Google via a mobile device, it will figure out where you are from your IP address. If you have location tracking turned on your mobile device, go on and prepare to be surprised.

What may be more surprising is the preciseness and diligence that Google tracks this with. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Google knows the searcher's location and uses it in a big part of the searches we make. The red dots are places Google knows I've visited over the past few months.
