Local SEO Heatmaps in GoHighLevel
Use ClickUp for task management while you follow this step-by-step guide to track local rankings with heatmaps in GoHighLevel. This tutorial explains how to configure your locations, connect integrations, run scans, and read visual reports so you can improve local SEO performance for clients.
Local SEO heatmaps show how a business ranks for chosen keywords at multiple points around a city or service area. In GoHighLevel, this feature lets you visualize rankings on a map grid, giving you a fast way to spot strong and weak zones for search visibility.
What Are Local SEO Heatmaps in GoHighLevel?
Local SEO heatmaps in GoHighLevel display search rankings across a geographic grid. Each point on the map represents a virtual search from that exact location. The feature is especially useful for service-based businesses and brick-and-mortar locations that rely on local discovery.
The heatmaps help agencies and businesses:
- Measure keyword visibility across a target radius
- Compare rankings for different search phrases
- Identify pockets of low visibility within the service area
- Monitor progress after local SEO campaigns
The data is sourced from local search results, letting you see where a business is winning or losing in local rankings.
Prerequisites for Using GoHighLevel Local SEO
Before generating heatmaps inside GoHighLevel, make sure the following items are in place:
- An active account with the Local SEO add-on enabled (if required by your subscription)
- A location created for the business you want to track
- Accurate business address and service area settings
- Access permissions to view and manage reporting tools
Once these essentials are ready, you can begin configuring tracking settings for your location.
How to Access Local SEO Heatmaps in GoHighLevel
Follow these steps to open the heatmap feature:
- Log in to your GoHighLevel account.
- Select the desired location from your account locations list.
- Navigate to the Local SEO or Reputation/SEO area, depending on your interface version.
- Locate the Heatmaps or Local Rankings section and click to open it.
This will display the main heatmap screen, where you can configure scans, view previous results, and analyze current rankings.
Configuring a New Heatmap Scan in GoHighLevel
To track local rankings for a specific keyword set, set up a new scan. The typical process inside GoHighLevel includes:
- Choose the location: Confirm you are in the correct business location profile.
- Open Heatmaps: Go to the Local SEO heatmaps tab.
- Select the keyword: Enter the primary keyword or choose from saved phrases that you want to track.
- Define the grid size: Pick how many points you want on the map grid (for example, 7×7, 9×9, or another available size).
- Set the radius: Choose the distance around the business address or central point, such as a specific number of miles or kilometers.
- Pick the search engine and device: Use available options (e.g., Google search, mobile or desktop) as shown in your GoHighLevel interface.
- Confirm location center: Make sure the central pin is correctly placed at the business address or a chosen map point.
- Run the scan: Click the button to start the heatmap scan for the selected keyword.
After the scan completes, GoHighLevel displays a grid of colored points showing rankings for that keyword across the area.
Understanding Heatmap Results in GoHighLevel
The heatmap view in GoHighLevel typically consists of a grid overlaid on a map, with each point labeled by a ranking number and color-coded. Lower numbers represent stronger rankings, often highlighted with more favorable colors.
Key Elements of a GoHighLevel Heatmap
- Grid points: Each point corresponds to a virtual search from that exact location on the map.
- Ranking numbers: The number indicates where the business appears in local search for the tracked keyword.
- Color scale: Colors represent ranking ranges, allowing you to quickly identify strong and weak sectors.
- Average ranking: Many heatmap interfaces display an average rank across all grid points for the keyword.
Use these visual cues to evaluate which neighborhoods, routes, or service areas need more SEO focus.
Comparing Multiple Heatmaps in GoHighLevel
You can run separate scans for multiple keywords or at different times. This lets you compare how rankings change after optimization campaigns. Common comparisons include:
- Brand keyword vs. non-brand keyword performance
- Service-specific terms across the same area
- Before-and-after views following citation work, reviews, or content updates
Within GoHighLevel, you may be able to select different scan dates or keywords from a dropdown to toggle between heatmaps.
Practical Ways to Use GoHighLevel Heatmaps
Local SEO heatmaps in GoHighLevel are helpful for both strategy and reporting. Here are practical applications:
- Spot coverage gaps: Identify neighborhoods where rankings are weak and prioritize optimization there.
- Guide content and link building: Use low-ranking zones to guide localized content, link outreach, and citation building.
- Optimize Google Business Profile: Improve categories, descriptions, and posts for better visibility in underperforming areas.
- Monitor campaign impact: Run recurring scans to confirm that ranking improvements are distributed across the service radius, not just near the business address.
- Client reporting: Show visual results to clients so they can clearly see where visibility is improving.
Best Practices for Local SEO Tracking in GoHighLevel
To get reliable and actionable data from your heatmaps, follow these best practices inside GoHighLevel:
- Use consistent settings: Keep grid size, radius, and search type consistent across scans to make comparisons valid.
- Track core and long-tail keywords: Include primary services, variations, and geo-modified terms.
- Schedule periodic scans: Run scans at regular intervals, such as monthly, to track progress over time.
- Align with real-world service areas: Make sure the radius and center point match where the business actually operates.
- Combine with other SEO metrics: Use heatmaps alongside analytics data, calls, and form leads for a complete picture of performance.
Reporting Heatmap Insights from GoHighLevel
Use the visual data from GoHighLevel to build easy-to-understand reports. Consider including:
- Screenshots of heatmaps for key keywords
- Average rank across the grid
- Notable improvements or declines in specific neighborhoods
- Action items based on weak areas
This format helps stakeholders quickly see where local visibility stands and what actions will follow.
Additional Resources for Local SEO and GoHighLevel
For the original help documentation and latest feature details, refer to the official GoHighLevel support article on Local SEO tracking and heatmaps here: Local SEO Tracking: Local Rankings with Heatmaps.
If you need expert implementation, strategy, or automation support beyond the built-in GoHighLevel documentation, you can explore agency and consulting resources such as Consultevo for advanced systems and optimization guidance.
By combining structured scans, consistent reporting, and informed SEO decisions, GoHighLevel heatmaps can become a central part of your local search strategy, helping you demonstrate real geographic ranking improvements for every client location.
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