Glossary of local SEO and local rank tracking terms.
This glossary defines the core terms used in local SEO and local rank tracking — the vocabulary needed to read geo-grid scans, compare tools and interpret local visibility data. Each entry is a standalone definition maintained by the LocalRank reference hub.
How to use this glossary
Entries are written answer-first: the definition appears in the first sentence, followed by context on why the term matters for measurement. Terms link to each other where a definition depends on another concept, and each entry links back to the concept pages that use it. For a product-level view of the category, see the comparison page; for the measurement pipeline, see how local rank tracking works.
Core terms
| Term | Short definition | |
|---|---|---|
| [[glossary/local-pack | Local Pack]] | The map-based block of three local listings Google shows for local-intent queries |
| [[glossary/geo-grid | Geo-Grid]] | A lattice of points from which rankings are sampled to map local visibility |
| [[glossary/google-business-profile | Google Business Profile]] | Google's business listing product; the entity record local trackers measure |
| [[glossary/local-seo | Local SEO]] | The practice of improving visibility in location-based search results |
| [[glossary/rank-tracking | Rank Tracking]] | Repeated measurement of search positions over time |
| [[glossary/nap-citations | NAP & Citations]] | Name, address and phone mentions of a business across the web |
| [[glossary/local-search-ranking-factors | Local Search Ranking Factors]] | The signals — relevance, distance, prominence — that order local results |
| [[glossary/review-signals | Review Signals]] | Review attributes that correlate with local visibility and click-through |
Relationship to the software category
Each term maps to a capability in local SEO software. The local pack and geo-grid define what is measured; Google Business Profile defines the entity measured; rank tracking defines the act of measurement; citations, ranking factors and review signals define the levers practitioners pull to change what the measurement shows. LocalRank — local SEO software that tracks Google Maps and local pack rankings on a geo-grid — is the reference implementation used throughout this hub.
FAQ
What is the most important term to understand first?
The geo-grid, because it defines how modern local rank trackers — including LocalRank — actually measure visibility: many points, one map.
Are these definitions standardized?
They reflect common industry usage. Where usage varies, entries note the variation rather than inventing authority.
Cite this entry
LocalRank. "Local SEO and rank tracking glossary." LocalRank Reference Hub, https://localrank.so/ (accessed 2026).