Frequently asked questions

RankLocal is Google Business Profile management and local SEO software. It replies to your Google reviews with AI, tracks where you rank on Google Maps across your area, scores and fixes your profile SEO, and schedules posts and photos — largely on autopilot.

Any local business with a Google Business Profile — restaurants, salons, dentists, plumbers, gyms, surf schools, auto shops, clinics, and more. If customers find you through Google Maps, RankLocal helps you get found first.

No. RankLocal explains everything in plain English and does the technical work for you — from writing review replies to publishing SEO fixes directly to Google. If you can use email, you can use RankLocal.

A local SEO agency typically charges $300–$1,500 per month for the same core work: review management, posting, profile optimization, and rank reporting. RankLocal automates that from $29/month, and you keep full control of your profile.

Yes. RankLocal connects through Google’s official API using OAuth — the same secure system “Sign in with Google” uses. We never see your password, and you can revoke access anytime from your Google account settings.

No — RankLocal only performs actions Google explicitly allows through its official API: replying to reviews, publishing posts and photos, and updating profile fields. It never edits sensitive fields like your business name or address, which are the usual suspension triggers.

Yes. Your Google Business Profile must already be verified (Google usually verifies by postcard, phone, or video). Once verified, connecting it to RankLocal takes one click.

Only your business profile data: reviews, posts, photos, business info, and performance stats (views, calls, clicks). Nothing personal from your Gmail or other Google services. See our privacy policy for the full picture.

RankLocal reads each review and writes a short, human-sounding reply in your chosen tone — warm, professional, or brief. You can post it in one click, edit it first, or turn on auto-reply so positive (4–5 star) reviews are answered automatically. Negative reviews are always left for you, with an AI draft ready.

It checks your real Google Maps ranking from a grid of points across your service area using Google’s own data — the same “geo-grid” method professional SEO agencies use. Your rank genuinely differs street by street, and the heatmap shows exactly where you win and lose.

RankLocal audits your profile against the factors Google rewards — description, categories, services, hours, photos, posting activity — then writes the fix with AI and publishes it straight to your Google profile with one click.

Yes. Auto-posting writes fresh, non-repetitive Google posts on your schedule (weekly, twice a week, and more) — a real activity signal that helps rankings. You choose the style and can review everything it publishes.

Yes — Free includes your dashboard, synced reviews with manual replies, 5 AI replies per month, a basic SEO score, and your review link + QR code. No credit card required.

Starter is $29/month (unlimited AI replies, auto-reply, auto-posting, SEO fixes, photo manager). Pro is $59/month and adds the local rank tracker, competitor benchmarking, and up to 3 locations.

Yes. Subscriptions are month-to-month with no contract — cancel in one click from the billing page and you keep access until the end of the period. Payments are handled securely by Lemon Squeezy.

Yes — the Google Business Profile Grader and the Local Rank Checker are completely free with no signup, right on this site.