# Map grid scans > How map grid scans measure your Google Maps position from many points, what ARP means, and how to scan, schedule, stop and compare. ## Why a grid On Google Maps, where the searcher stands changes the results. A plumber can be first for people two streets away and invisible two kilometres further. One check from one spot tells you almost nothing. A **map grid scan** searches your keyword from many points laid out around your business and records your position in the local results at each point. The result is a heat map of where you are visible and where you are not. Map features need a Google Business Profile matched to the project ([Projects and settings](/docs/projects)). They live under **Google My Business** in the left menu: **Overview**, **Rankings**, **Map** and **Comparison**, plus **Map competitors** under Competition. ## Grid settings Set these in **Settings › Project › Advanced settings › Grid**: - **Grid** — 3×3, 5×5 or 7×7 points (the largest grid is 7x7). New projects start at 5×5. More points give more detail and cost more. - **Shape** — Square, Circle, Diamond, Cross or Ring. Circle skips the corners, which are usually outside your service area, so it costs less for the same radius. - **Point spacing / Cover a radius of** — how far apart the points are. **Fit the grid** works out the spacing for the radius you type. - **Map scan** — **Full grid** or **Smart scan (cheaper)**. The price of one scan is "points × keywords", shown under the grid with a **Make it cheaper** suggestion when one exists. ### Smart scan Smart scan checks the likeliest points first and stops early where you are not found. The price on the button is the maximum; you pay only for points actually scanned. Skipped points are grey on the map and are not counted in the averages. ## Running a scan Nothing scans the map on its own. A scan starts only when you: - Click **Scan now** (all keywords) or **Scan** on one keyword in **Map**. - Click **Scan on the map · N credits** on a keyword card in **Overview**. - Click **Scan them now** in **Rankings** for keywords that have no map data yet. - Turn on a schedule in **Re-check**. Each button shows the price. A large scan asks once more: "This scans X keywords × Y points = Z credits." While a scan runs you see "Scanning… N/M points". Results appear keyword by keyword. ### Stop Click **Stop** next to "Scanning…". The keyword being scanned finishes; nothing after it is scanned or charged. You can stop the whole scan, one keyword, or a keyword and everything after it. A stopped scan does not restart by itself. ## Reading the map Each point is a pin with your position at that spot: | Pin | Position | |---|---| | Green star | 1–3 | | Yellow drop | 4–10 | | Red drop | 11–20 | | Grey | 21+ or not found | | Light grey "Skipped" | Not scanned by Smart scan | Click a pin to see the full local results at that point: who ranks above you, with ratings and reviews. The **Pin legend** explains the symbols; pins stay the same size at every zoom level. ### ARP — average rank position The headline number on every map card is **ARP** ("avg #N"). It is your average position over **all scanned points**; lower is better. A failed point (a technical error) is left out; skipped Smart scan points are left out too. ARP is honest about gaps. If you rank #1 at the centre and are missing everywhere else, ARP stays high — which is the truth about your visibility in the area. Next to ARP you see **Coverage** (share of points where you were found) and **Top 3** (share of points where you are in the top 3, the zone that captures most calls). ### Scan this area Pan or zoom the map to a different area and click **Scan this area**. It scans a full grid centred where you are looking, for one keyword. The price ("N points for M credits") is asked before it starts. ## Re-check: scheduling Open **Map › Re-check** (also in project settings as **Re-scan the map**): - **Frequency** — Off, Weekly, Every 2 weeks, Monthly. - **Day** and **Time** — when the scan runs, in your time zone. - **Scheduled scans use** — Smart scan (cheaper) or Full grid. The panel shows "Next scan: Wed, Sep 30 · 09:00" and "Up to N credits per scan · up to M a month". If your balance is too low on the day, the scan is skipped until the next scheduled day. ## Overview, Rankings, Comparison - **Overview** — one card per keyword: ARP, coverage, a mini grid and the last scan date. - **Rankings** — every keyword with ARP and the change since the previous scan. Click a row to open it on the map. "—" means no scan yet. - **Comparison** — two scans of the same keyword side by side, point by point. Needs at least two scans. - **History** — in Map you can open any past scan of a keyword; a mini trend shows ARP over time. ## Map competitors **Map competitors** lists the businesses that appear next to you across the grid, ranked by how often they appear, with their average position. Sort them, or use **Manual order** to arrange them yourself. The list is built from your last saved scan, so it is free to open. ## Common questions **Why is my ARP so high when I am first on my own street?** Because ARP covers every point in the area, not only the one at your door. It measures visibility across the whole area, not at your door. **Why did my grid change to 7x7?** 7x7 is the largest grid. Older projects with larger grids are read as 7x7; older scans stay as they were. **Does adding a keyword scan the map?** No. Adding keywords is free and never starts a scan. **What are grey "skipped" pins?** Points Smart scan did not check because nearby rings showed you outside the top 20. They are not charged. **I stopped a scan. Is the data I got kept?** Yes. Keywords finished before the stop are saved and paid; the rest is returned.