The position Google shows you in Search Console is not your real Google Maps ranking. For most local businesses, it's a blended average across dozens of search contexts, and acting on that number leads to misplaced priorities and wasted budget.
Here's what that looks like in practice. A dentist in Chicago checks Google Search Console and sees an average position of 9 for "dentist near me." They assume their local SEO is working. What Search Console doesn't show: they rank #2 in Lincoln Park, where the office is located, and #18 in Wicker Park, three miles away. Half their service area doesn't know they exist.
Check Google Maps ranking the right way means looking at your position by location, not just one averaged number. This guide explains the difference, why it matters, and the step-by-step method to get accurate data you can actually act on.
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