Intermediate
How to set up local SEO tracking on Semrush
Quick Answer
Set up local SEO tracking in Semrush by creating a Position Tracking campaign with specific location targeting and local keywords. Configure your business location, add location-specific keywords, and set up regular monitoring to track local search rankings.
Prerequisites
- Active Semrush subscription
- Google My Business account
- Local business website
- List of target local keywords
1
Access Position Tracking Tool
Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Projects from the left sidebar. Select your project or create a new one by clicking Create Project. Once in your project dashboard, click on Position Tracking under the Tracking section.
Tip
If you don't have a project yet, create one specifically for your local business to keep all local SEO data organized.
2
Set Up Campaign with Location Targeting
Click Set up tracking and enter your domain. In the Target Location section, select your specific geographic area by choosing Country, then State/Region, and finally City. For hyper-local tracking, you can also set a specific ZIP code or use the Custom Location option to target a radius around your business address.
Tip
Use the most specific location possible for accurate local rankings - city-level targeting is usually best for local businesses.
3
Configure Device and Search Engine Settings
Select your target Device (Desktop, Mobile, or both). Choose Google as your search engine and ensure Local Pack tracking is enabled by checking the corresponding box. Set your tracking frequency to Daily for the most current local ranking data.
Tip
Mobile tracking is crucial for local SEO since most local searches happen on mobile devices.
4
Add Local Keywords
In the Keywords section, add your target local keywords. Include location-specific terms like
"pizza delivery [city name]", "best plumber near me", and "[service] in [city]". Use the Keyword Magic Tool integration by clicking Find keywords to discover additional local search terms. Add at least 20-50 local keywords for comprehensive tracking.Tip
Include both explicit location keywords and implicit local intent keywords like 'near me' searches.
5
Set Up Competitors Tracking
Add your local competitors in the Competitors section. Enter the domains of businesses in your area that compete for the same local keywords. You can add up to 20 competitors depending on your Semrush plan. Click Add competitor and enter each competitor's domain URL.
Tip
Focus on competitors that actually operate in your geographic area rather than national brands that may not be direct local competition.
6
Configure Business Information
In the Business Profile section, enter your complete business information including Business Name, Address, Phone Number, and Website URL. This information should exactly match your Google My Business listing. Enable Local Pack tracking to monitor your appearance in Google's local 3-pack results.
Tip
Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency between Semrush settings and all your online business listings.
7
Launch Campaign and Set Up Reporting
Review all settings and click Start Tracking to launch your campaign. Once active, go to Reports and set up automated reports by clicking Schedule Report. Choose Weekly or Monthly frequency and select relevant metrics like Local Pack positions, Keyword rankings, and Visibility trends.
Tip
Initial data may take 24-48 hours to populate fully, so don't worry if you don't see complete results immediately.
Troubleshooting
Keywords not showing local pack results
Verify that your target location is specific enough (city-level) and that the keywords actually trigger local pack results. Use Google search to manually check if the keywords show local results in your target area.
Business not appearing in tracked local pack results
Ensure your Google My Business listing is verified and optimized. Check that your business information in Semrush exactly matches your GMB listing. Your business may not rank in the top 3 local results yet.
Incorrect location targeting showing wrong results
Go to Campaign Settings and verify your target location settings. Update to a more specific geographic area or ZIP code. Use the Custom Location feature to set precise coordinates if needed.
Missing competitor data in local results
Verify that competitor domains are correct and that they actually have local presence in your target area. Some competitors may not appear if they don't have strong local SEO presence or Google My Business listings.
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