Our Editorial Mission
We built Map Pack Visibility to document what actually works in local search. Google’s official documentation tells you what they want you to do. We tell you what moves the needle. Our mission is simple. Test the variables. Track the map pack. Publish the results.
We serve local business owners and agency SEOs who need ground-truth data on proximity signals, review velocity, and Google Business Profile optimization. We do not publish theory. If we haven’t tested a tactic across multiple local verticals, we don’t write about it. You need hard data to erase your competition. We provide it.
How We Choose Topics
Topic selection starts in the trenches. We manage actual GBP listings every single day. We deal with the same fake reviews, sudden suspensions, and proximity drops you do. We write about the friction we encounter.
We pull topics from three primary sources. First, direct anomalies in our rank tracking data. Second, recurring questions from local business owners fighting spam in their specific markets. Third, gaps where current SEO advice contradicts live search results.
We ignore generic marketing trends. We focus entirely on local search mechanics.
Research and Fact-Checking Standards
Local SEO is plagued by outdated advice. We refuse to add to the noise. Every claim we publish undergoes strict verification. We test ranking factors across different geographic markets and industry categories. A tactic that works for an HVAC contractor in Dallas might fail for a personal injury lawyer in Denver. We account for that variance.
We cross-reference our findings with live SERP data, API pulls, and historical ranking charts. We never cite a statistic without linking directly to the raw data or the original case study. If a Google representative makes a claim about the algorithm, we test it before we endorse it.
Trust, but verify.
Corrections Policy
The local algorithm shifts constantly. Sometimes we make a bad call. Sometimes a documented tactic stops working. When our data proves a previous article wrong, we update it immediately.
We do not quietly delete old posts. We add a clear correction notice at the top of the affected page. We explain what changed, why our previous stance was incorrect, and what the current data shows. Transparency builds authority.
If you spot an error in our methodology, email our editorial team at [email protected]. We review all technical disputes within 48 hours. We will ask for your data. If your data beats ours, we publish a correction.
Affiliate and Commercial Relationships
Running large-scale local SEO tests costs money. We fund this site through agency consulting and select affiliate partnerships. We recommend specific rank trackers, citation builders, and review management software.
We only recommend tools we actively pay for and use in our own agency operations. Our affiliate relationships never dictate our editorial calendar. If a tool we promote pushes a bad update, we publish a downgrade notice. We place reader trust above commission payouts.
Every page containing affiliate links includes a clear disclosure statement at the top. No hidden agendas. No surprise sales pitches.
Editorial Independence
Nobody buys their way onto Map Pack Visibility. We do not accept sponsored guest posts. We do not sell link placements. Software vendors cannot pay us for favorable reviews.
Our editorial team has absolute control over every word published on this domain. If a local SEO tool wants us to review their product, they provide access. We run it through our standard testing protocols. We publish the exact results. We highlight the flaws alongside the features.
Total independence. Zero exceptions.
Content Updates
Stale local SEO advice damages businesses. A tactic from two years ago can trigger a GBP suspension today. We audit our entire content library quarterly.
We check every guide against the current map pack reality. We verify that recommended tools still function as described. We update screenshots to match current Google interfaces. When we overhaul a guide, we update the Last Modified date at the top of the article.
You always know exactly how fresh the data is. We keep the site updated so you can keep your rankings secure.