If your business is listed on Google Business Profile but doesn’t appear in the top 3 local results on Google Maps, also called the Google Local 3-Pack or Google local search, you’re likely missing out on most of your local traffic, phone calls, customers, and leads.
This is an example of 3 businesses ranking on the local 3-Pack
According to Moz’s Local SEO Guide, the Google 3-Pack receives the highest visibility and click-through rate of any section on a local search results page.
In Moz’s 2015 “Snack Pack” study, 44% of local searchers clicked Local 3-pack, compared to 29% organic, 19% paid, and 8% more local results clicks.
While FirstPageSage2025 report and other reputable sources reported this breakdown in CTR:
Breakdown by position within the 3-Pack:
- #1 result: 17.8% CTR
- #2 result: 15.4% CTR
- #3 result: 15.1% CTR
This means that the business profile that ranks Local Pack Position #1 will get 17% of clicks from searchers, while the business ranking Local Pack Position #2 will get 15.4%, and the Local Pack Position #3 gets 15.1%.
You need to sit up on this by optimizing your GBP to be in the Local 3-Pack at all costs..
And a BrightLocal survey found that 87% of consumers used Google to evaluate local businesses in 2023.
The above reports show the importance of ranking your Google Business profile in the local 3-Pack or Google Maps.
This will position your business to generate traffic, get more clicks, phone calls, and generate as many leads as possible. If you don’t rank in the 3-Pack, you have fewer chances of getting clicks.
Yet, despite the importance of Google’s Local 3-Pack, most businesses don’t know what it takes to rank there.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how the Google 3-Pack works, why your business might not be showing up, and how to reverse-engineer the success of top competitors using a free tool like GMB Everywhere.
This is not a theory post. You’ll get:
- Data-backed ranking factors
- Tools you can use today.
- Step-by-step strategies that work in 2025.
If you need help analyzing your competitors’ Google categories, start with this step-by-step tutorial.
Let’s begin by understanding what the Local 3-Pack is.
What Is the Google Local 3-Pack?
The Local 3-Pack is the set of three business listings that appear at the top of Google Maps and local search results when someone searches for a nearby service, for example, “hair salon near me” or “best dentist in Abuja.”
The Google 3-Pack is a SERP feature displaying three local business listings, typically with a map, at the top of local search results.
This section typically shows:
- The business name
- Star rating and reviews
- Business category
- Address
- Buttons for directions, website, and calls
It’s the first thing users see after the ads, making it the most valuable real estate in local search.
According to a 2025 research supported by Redlocalseo:
- 44% of users click on a listing in the 3-Pack result
- Only 8% scroll down to the organic listings beneath
- 29% for organic results and 19% for paid results
Why This Matters
If you’re not in the 3-Pack, you’re fighting for scraps. That’s why ranking here can generate dozens, even hundreds, of local leads per month, without paying for ads.
You want to find out what’s keeping your listing out of the 3-Pack?
Use GMB Everywhere to run a quick audit and compare your business to those that already rank.
Why It’s Harder Than Ever to Get Into the Local 3-Pack
Years ago, just having a Google Business Profile (GBP) was enough to rank locally.
But today, that’s no longer the case. With rising competition and evolving Google algorithms, the 3-Pack is now one of the most competitive spots in local search.
Here’s why:
1. More Businesses Are Optimizing Their Google Profiles
Local business owners and even freelancers have become more SEO-savvy.
In 2025, 64% of businesses have verified their GBPs, indicating a strong foundation for optimization, according to Birdeye.
Statistics show 64% of people use GBPs to find contact information, and 83% read reviews before deciding, pushing businesses to optimize according to Red Local SEO.
What this means:
If your competitors are posting updates, getting reviews, and choosing better categories — and you’re not — you’ll be left behind.
2. Google’s Algorithm Prioritizes Relevance and Quality
Google’s local ranking algorithm has evolved. Today, it uses a mix of:
- Proximity to the searcher
- Relevance of your categories and services
- Trust signals like reviews, photos, and profile activity
If your profile isn’t optimized on all three fronts, you may be filtered out, even if you’re nearby.
If you want to know what the top 3 listings in your niche are doing right, use GMB Everywhere to audit them in seconds and model their setup.
3. You Can’t Control Location, But You Can Control Everything Else
One of the top local ranking factors is proximity to the searcher, it is how close your business is to whoever is searching, which you can’t change. But what you can control are:
- Your chosen business categories.
- The frequency of your posts.
- Your review generation strategy.
- Whether your profile is complete and regularly updated
I’ll show you how to optimize all of these in the next sections.
The Top 7 Factors That Influence Google Local 3-Pack Rankings
If you want to rank in the top 3 results on Google Maps, you need to understand what moves the needle in local SEO.
These 7 factors are consistently cited by leading SEO authorities like Moz, Whitespark, and BrightLocal.
Let’s walk through each one and how to improve them.
1. Google Business Categories
This is one of the most important local SEO factors.
Your primary category should match exactly what you want to rank for (e.g., “Personal Injury Attorney,” not “Lawyer”).
Your secondary categories help you appear in related searches.
Use GMB Everywhere to instantly see what categories your top 3 local competitors are using.
2. Review Quality and Quantity
Google looks at:
- Total number of reviews
- Star rating average
- Recency of reviews
- Keywords mentioned in reviews (e.g., “fast plumbing service”)
A BrightLocal study shows businesses with 50+ high-quality reviews rank significantly higher than those with under 10.
Also, See How to Optimize Google Reviews for Local SEO
3. Proximity to Searcher
This is a fixed factor: Google shows listings based on the searcher’s location.
You can’t change this, but it’s why ranking is local and hyper-specific.
Expert Tip: Target keywords with geographic intent in posts and service descriptions.
4. Relevance of Business Info
Make sure your:
- Business name
- Categories
- Services listed
- Website and landing page content
…all reflect what you do.
Google cross-checks this with your website, social profiles, and citations.
5. Profile Completeness
Google favours listings that are 100% filled out:
- Business hours
- Services offered
- Photos and videos
- Q&As answered
- Products and booking options (if available)
Use GMB Everywhere to audit your profile for missing elements.
6. Posting Activity
Frequent updates signal that your business is active. Regular Google Posts with:
- Offers
- Events
- Service highlights
…help your listing stand out and boost engagement.
Post 1–2 times per week for best results.
7. Citations and NAP Consistency
Your Name, Address, Phone number (NAP) should be identical across:
- Google
- Facebook
- Yelp
- Bing
- Local directories
Tools like BrightLocal and Moz Local help track this, but GMB Everywhere gives you a fast visual audit against your Google listing.
How to Spy on the Businesses Already in the 3-Pack
The easiest way to improve your chances of ranking in the Google 3-Pack is to study what’s already working and then do it better.
Thanks to tools like GMB Everywhere, you don’t have to guess.
You can see exactly what top-ranking competitors are doing and model their success.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
Step 1: Search Your Primary Keyword in Google Maps
Let’s say you’re a local baker. Type in something like:
“Bakery near Lekki”
“Custom cakes in Lagos”
Google will show a list of businesses, and the top three are your local 3-Pack competitors.
Step 2: Open Each Business Listing
Click each one to view the full Google Business Profile in the sidebar or Maps view.
Look at:
- Business name
- Reviews
- Photos
- Services
But don’t stop there…
Step 3: Use the GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension
Once installed, GMB Everywhere lets you click one button and instantly see:
- Their primary and secondary categories
- How many photos they uploaded
- Review counts and star rating
- How often they post
- Profile completeness
- Service area and keywords
- Audit summary (exportable)
Step 4: Analyze the Data
Create a quick competitor checklist:
| Competitor | Primary Category | Reviews | Posts/Week | Photos | Rank |
| Business A | Bakery | 123 | 2x | 48 | 1 |
| Business B | Bakery | 86 | 1x | 34 | 2 |
| Business C | Coffee Shop | 55 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
From this table, you can see:
- What category Google prefers is “Bakery”.
- How many reviews you need to be competitive, which is “123”.
- How active your content should be is likely “2x” or more.
- What you’re missing on your profile.
This competitor analysis has given you an open cheque on what you need to fix instead of guessing.
If you need help checking your setup against theirs, install GMB Everywhere here and audit yourself in 60 seconds.
How to Optimize Your Profile for 3-Pack Rankings
Once you’ve audited your top competitors with GMB Everywhere, it’s time to optimize your own Google Business Profile to match (or beat) what they’re doing.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
1. Choose the Right Categories
Make sure your primary category is hyper-relevant to what you do, not broad or generic.
If you need help, read What Are Google Business Categories? (Beginner’s Guide)
Or use the AI-Powered Category Tool in GMB Everywhere to get suggestions instantly.
Add 2–4 secondary categories that support your service (without keyword stuffing).
2. Post at Least Once per Week
Google likes active listings, it signals an active profile. Try to post:
- Special offers
- Service highlights
- Events or updates
Use real photos where possible, not stock images.
Pro Tip: Competitors who post weekly often outrank similar businesses that don’t.
3. Get More Reviews, And Respond to All of Them
Aim for at least 20+ reviews to stay competitive.
Encourage happy customers to mention specific services or experiences.
Related: How to Optimize Google Reviews to Boost Local Rankings
4. Add Services, Products & Descriptions
Include every service you offer, with short keyword-rich descriptions.
Example:
Instead of just “Cleaning,” write:
“Residential Deep Cleaning, Thorough home cleaning using eco-friendly, kid-safe products.”
5. Upload Quality Photos Frequently
Photos improve engagement and signal activity to Google.
Include:
- Logo
- Team photos
- Services/products in action
- Customer interactions (with permission)
Listings with 100+ photos get 520% more calls than those with fewer than 10 (Source: Google My Business Help).
6. Ensure NAP Consistency
Your Name, Address, and Phone Number must match across:
- Website
- Social media
- Directories
- Google Business Profile
Tools like Moz Local or BrightLocal help manage this at scale. GMB Everywhere gives you an instant audit report to compare your info with competitors.
7. Keep Your Profile 100% Complete
Google favors fully completed profiles. Double-check that you’ve filled in:
- Business hours
- Website URL
- Service area
- Booking links (if applicable)
- FAQs
- Attributes (e.g., “Women-owned” or “Wheelchair accessible”)
Bonus Tip: Use GMB Everywhere’s AI Tools to Rank Faster
If you’re not sure which categories to choose, how your competitors are ranking, or what’s missing from your profile, don’t guess.
Let AI do the heavy lifting.
The GMB Everywhere Chrome Extension includes an AI-powered Category Suggestion Tool that helps you:
Find the Right Business Category in Seconds
Just type a simple sentence about what you do:
“We offer mobile car detailing in Abuja for busy professionals.”
The AI will return:
- The best primary category
- Suggested secondary categories
- A breakdown of what competitors in your niche are using
No research needed. No overthinking.
Export Competitor Audits
You can also:
- View what’s working for top-ranking businesses.
- Export their audit data into a simple checklist.
- Benchmark your progress against theirs.
Perfect if you’re:
- A solo business owner doing their SEO
- A local freelancer offering GMB audits
- An agency managing clients’ GBP listings at scale
Stay Updated as Google Changes
Google updates its category list regularly. This tool syncs with Google’s live data, so you’re always choosing from the latest categories available, not outdated ones that might be hurting your profile.
Click here to try GMB Everywhere’s AI Tool for free
(No login or credit card required)
Conclusion
Rank Where It Matters Most, The Local 3-Pack.
If you’re serious about generating free, high-intent local leads, then ranking in Google’s Local 3-Pack is not optional; it’s essential.
In this guide, you learned:
- What the Local 3-Pack is
- Why it’s harder than ever to rank
- The 7 key ranking factors Google cares about
- How to audit your competitors
- How to optimize your Google Business Profile
- And how to use GMB Everywhere to spy on, compare, and improve your local SEO
You don’t need to guess your way into the top 3, just model what’s already working.
Next Steps:
- Install GMB Everywhere and run a quick audit on your top 3 competitors.
- Update your business categories using the AI Category Tool
- Optimize your profile using the tips in this guide.
- Stay consistent with reviews, posts, and services.
If you need help setting a local optimized Google Business Profile or auditing and optimizing an existing one not ranking on Google local 3-pack, contact us immediately for the service.
FAQs About Ranking in Google’s Local 3-Pack
What is the Google Local 3-Pack in local SEO?
The Google local 3-Pack is the group of the top three local business listings that appear at the top of Google Maps and search results when someone searches for a local service. It typically displays the business name, reviews, location, and links for calls, directions, or websites.
How do I get my business into the Google Local 3-Pack?
To rank in the local 3-Pack, optimize your Google Business Profile with the right categories, get consistent positive reviews, complete your profile, and post regularly.
Use tools like GMB Everywhere to audit your profile and spy on what your top-ranking competitors are doing right.
Why is my business not showing in the 3-Pack?
Common reasons include:
Using the wrong primary category
Lack of reviews or poor review rating
Incomplete or inactive profile
Proximity to the searcher
Missing keywords in your services or posts
Start by auditing your profile and competitors using GMB Everywhere.
What’s the fastest way to improve my local ranking on Google?
The fastest way is to:
Choose the right categories
Get 5-star reviews with keyword mentions
Post weekly updates
Add services and products
Complete all profile sections
Use GMB Everywhere to check your gaps and match what’s working locally.
What is the best free tool for GMB competitor audits?
GMB Everywhere is the top free Chrome extension for auditing Google Business Profiles. It reveals competitor categories, posting activity, review counts, photo uploads, and more, directly inside Google Maps.
