What is the Local Pack?
The local pack (also called the "map pack," "3-pack," or "snack pack") is a prominent section in Google search results that shows a map alongside three local business listings for location-based searches.
What It Looks Like
When someone searches "gym near me" or "fitness center [city]," Google often displays:
- A map of the area
- Three business listings with:
- Business name
- Star rating and review count
- Address
- Business hours
- Phone number
- Category
Below these three results, there's typically a "More places" link showing additional results.
Why the Local Pack Matters
- 44% of clicks on local searches go to the local pack
- It appears above organic search results
- Mobile searchers especially rely on it
- It's the first thing many potential members see
How to Rank in the Local Pack
Google determines local pack rankings based on:
1. Relevance
How well your business matches the search query
- Accurate Google Business Profile
- Proper categories selected
- Keywords in your description
2. Distance
How close your business is to the searcher
- You can't change your location
- But you can target specific neighborhoods
3. Prominence
How well-known and trusted your business is
- Review quantity and quality
- NAP consistency
- Local citations
- Website authority
Local Pack vs. Organic Results
The local pack is separate from organic search results:
- Local pack: Based on Google Business Profile data
- Organic results: Based on website SEO
You need to optimize both to maximize visibility.