The Local Pack (sometimes called the Map Pack or 3-Pack) is the prominent section of Google search results that appears for location-based queries. It shows a Google Maps snippet with three local business listings, each displaying the business name, star rating, address, hours, and a link to the full Google Business Profile.
Where does the Local Pack appear?
The Local Pack typically appears at the top of the search results page for queries with local intent. This includes searches like:
- "restaurants near me"
- "plumber in Austin"
- "best dentist downtown"
- Product or service searches where Google detects the user wants local results
It sits above the standard organic search results, making it the most visible position for local businesses.
How do businesses get into the Local Pack?
Ranking in the Local Pack depends on three main factors that Google uses to evaluate local businesses:
- Relevance -- how well your business profile matches what the searcher is looking for
- Distance -- how close your business is to the searcher's location or the location mentioned in the query
- Prominence -- how well-known and trusted your business is, based on reviews, citations, backlinks, and overall online presence
Having a complete, accurate Google Business Profile with recent reviews and regular activity is the starting point for Local Pack visibility.
Why does the Local Pack matter?
The Local Pack gets a significant share of clicks for local searches. Businesses that appear here get more phone calls, direction requests, and website visits than those that only show up in the standard organic results below. For local businesses, ranking in the Local Pack is often more valuable than ranking #1 in organic search.