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What Is Local Pack (Map Pack)?
Updated 18 September 2026
Quick Answer
The local pack (or map pack) is the block of 3 local business results, shown with a map, that appears near the top of Google's search results for location-based searches like 'plumber near me.'
Local Pack vs. Local SEO — What's the Difference?
| Local Pack | Local SEO | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The specific, named result block itself | The broader set of practices used to rank within it |
Why It Matters
- It occupies extremely prominent, high-visibility space for local searches, often above traditional organic results entirely.
- Only 3 businesses appear in it for a given search, making it a genuinely competitive, high-value position to win.
How It Works
- Google identifies a search as having local intent (e.g. including 'near me' or a specific implied location).
- It displays a map and 3 businesses matching that local intent, ranked by relevance, distance, and prominence.
- Ranking here draws heavily on Google Business Profile completeness, reviews, and NAP consistency.
Key Takeaways
- The local pack is the map-based block of 3 local businesses shown for location-based searches.
- It occupies extremely prominent, high-visibility space above traditional results.
- Google Business Profile completeness and reviews are the core ranking factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my business into the local pack?
A complete, accurate Google Business Profile, strong and recent reviews, and consistent NAP details across the web are the core factors.
Why only 3 businesses in the local pack?
Google limits this specific result format to 3 top matches, with a link to see more results beyond it.
Is the local pack the same as an AI Overview?
No — they can both appear together on a results page, but the local pack is a map-based result, while an AI Overview is a synthesized text answer.