Why You Need to Monitor Competitors
You can't improve what you don't measure. And you can't know if you're winning locally without understanding what your competitors are doing.
The good news: all of your competitors' data is public on Google Maps. You just need to know what to track.
What to Track About Competitors
- Review count and average rating
- Review velocity (how many new reviews per month)
- Photo count and recency
- Post activity and content themes
- Q&A answers and responsiveness
- Response rate to reviews
- How long they take to respond
Monthly Competitor Audit Template
Spend 15 minutes monthly tracking these metrics for your top 3 competitors:
- 1Search "[your service] near [your city]" on Google Maps
- 2Take screenshots of each competitor's profile
- 3Record: review count, rating, photos, last post date
- 4Count reviews posted in the last 30 days
- 5Note any new services or business changes
- 6Compare to your own numbers
Track this in a simple spreadsheet. Just compare the numbers month-over-month to see trends.
What Winning Looks Like
You don't need to be #1 in everything. Focus on the areas where you can differentiate:
- Reviews: Beat them on consistency, not just count
- Response time: Answer reviews faster than they do
- Post frequency: Post more regularly
- Photo quality: Upload better, more recent photos
- Average rating: Maintain 4.0+ even if you have fewer total reviews
Don't obsess over competitors who are losing. Focus on the ones who are winning — that's where the competitive insight is.
Using Competitor Data to Improve
When you notice a competitor doing something well:
- Understand why it works (what customer need does it address?)
- Adapt it for your business (don't copy — customize)
- Execute consistently (one-time tactics don't work)
Example: If a competitor posts weekly updates about new services, start posting weekly too — but about different angles.
Conclusion
Competitor monitoring isn't about paranoia — it's about staying informed in your local market. Spend 15 minutes monthly on this audit, identify gaps in your own GBP, and close them. Most competitors aren't monitoring each other, which gives you an advantage if you do.