Google Maps Rank Tracker | How to Set Zoom Level and Language for Accurate Results

Customize your scan settings in GTrack for more accurate and localized ranking results by adjusting the Zoom Level and Search Language. These settings are especially useful when you want to:

• Match what you see on Google Maps manually
• Control the level of detail
• Adapt to language-specific Google Business Profile results

📌 Why Zoom and Language Matter

🔍 Zoom Level

By default, GTrack scans run at a 13z zoom level. This is great for broad area coverage, but it might show slightly different results than what you see when manually searching on Google Maps at a higher zoom level.

If you're seeing different rankings in Google Maps than in your scan, check your zoom level. Some Google Maps searches use 14z to 16z, depending on your screen and view.

The zoom level determines how close-in or zoomed-out the search area is:

• A lower zoom (like 12z or 13z) covers a larger area, which means the search might include nearby businesses that aren't directly in the same neighborhood.
• A higher zoom (15z–20z) narrows the view to a more localized and accurate set of results, like a single block or district — ideal if you want results that match what local users see when searching from that location.

🔄 On Google Maps, when you manually search and zoom in, you’re changing how Google prioritizes which businesses appear based on proximity and density. GTrack lets you mirror this by adjusting your scan zoom manually.

✅ Solution: You can customize this zoom level from 1 to 20.

• Higher zoom levels (15–20) = more detailed results (tight local view)
• Lower zoom levels (10–12) = broader region scanned

ℹ️ When Should You Adjust the Zoom Level?

• If your business is very local (like a bakery or barbershop), a higher zoom (14–17) better reflects what nearby users see.
• If you're covering a large service area (like a delivery business or regional office), a lower zoom helps evaluate broader visibility.
• If your client says the scan rankings don't match Google — try increasing the zoom to 14–16 and re-run the scan.

📊 Example: If you run a scan at 13z and your client checks Google Maps at 14z, results may differ because Google filters listings based on visible area and zoom sensitivity.

⚙️ How to Change Zoom & Language Settings

Step 1: Open Advanced Settings

1. Click the arrow icon next to your name in the top left.
2. Select Advanced Settings from the dropdown.

Step 2: Set Your Custom Zoom Level

1. In the Advanced Search Settings popup, look for the Custom Zoom Level field.
2. Enter a number between 1 and 20. Some Google Maps searches use 14z–16z, depending on your screen and how focused you want the scan to be. Leaving blank will result in default value of 13z.
3. Click Save Settings.

🧭 How to See the Zoom Level in Google Maps

To verify what zoom level Google Maps is using in your search:

1. Initiate a scan of your business by typing your Business name and selecting it from the results. (Service Area Businesses (SABs) are also supported. GTrack can find businesses that don’t display a public address on Google Maps.) and add the keyword(s).
2. After scan is initiated - Click View Details on completed scan.

3. You will see a popup with the pins and ranking distribution results showing the grid 9x9, distance 1.0 km, zoom level 15z, and language English.
4. Click on any pin to open its data.

5. Click the link icon near the result to open it directly in Google Maps.

6. Look at the URL — it will contain 15z, indicating the zoom level.

Step 3: Set the Language for Results

1. In the same Advanced Settings popup, go to Results Language.
2. Choose from over 30 languages.
3. This will adjust how business names and listings are interpreted from Google Maps based on language preference.

💡 Tip: If your business is registered in Google Business Profile with multiple languages (e.g., Spanish and English), the language selected here will affect how your listing appears in the scan results.

📘 Read more: How Language Settings Impact Rankings

🔁 Set Zoom & Language for Scheduled Scans

You can also apply a custom Zoom Level and Language to any new or already created Scheduled Scans:

• While creating a new Scheduled Scan, click Advanced Search Settings.
• Choose the Zoom Level (1–20) and Language from the dropdown.

✏️ Already created a scheduled scan? You can edit it and update the zoom or language preferences at any time.

📘 Follow this guide to learn how to Create a Scheduled Scan

✅ That’s It!

You’re now ready to customize your GTrack scans — both single scans and scheduled scans — using Zoom Level and Language Settings.

These options give you more control and accuracy, especially when comparing results manually or auditing listings across regions and languages.

👉 Start a New Scan Now

Updated on: 10/11/2025