--- title: "Google Map Pack Statistics: Independents Hold 93.3% of Spots" url: https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack description: "Google Map Pack statistics from 3,160 searches: independent businesses hold 93.3% of spots and chains 6.7%. Locksmiths top the chain share. See the data." lang: en --- Share Share on X: https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.suffdigital.com%2Fresources%2Fdata-studies%2Fchains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack&text=Independent%20Businesses%20Hold%2093.3%25%20of%20Google%20Map%20Pack%20Spots%20vs%206.7%25%20for%20Chains Share on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.suffdigital.com%2Fresources%2Fdata-studies%2Fchains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack Share on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.suffdigital.com%2Fresources%2Fdata-studies%2Fchains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack Share on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.suffdigital.com%2Fresources%2Fdata-studies%2Fchains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack&title=Independent%20Businesses%20Hold%2093.3%25%20of%20Google%20Map%20Pack%20Spots%20vs%206.7%25%20for%20Chains Independent local businesses hold **93.3%** of the spots in Google's map pack, and chains hold 6.7%. Being part of a national brand does not buy a place in the top three on Google Maps, except in a few services such as locksmiths, pest control and gyms. Analysis of 3,160 Google Maps searches for 20 local services in 79 US cities · Google Maps results, September 2026 ## Key Findings 1. 1. Independent local businesses hold **93.3%** of Google map pack spots, and chains hold 6.7%. Copy stat 2. 2. Chains hold **5.2%** of number one spots on Google Maps, less than their share of the map pack. Copy stat 3. 3. Chains hold **24.2%** of Google map pack spots on locksmith searches, the highest of 20 local services, followed by pest control at 14.6% and gyms at 13.9%. Copy stat 4. 4. Chains hold **0.4%** of Google map pack spots on restaurant and electrician searches, and 0.6% on HVAC searches. Copy stat 5. 5. Independent businesses in Google's map pack average **4.73** stars, against 4.51 for chain locations, while chains have a median of 195 reviews against 75. Copy stat ## Summary An independent pest control company worries that the national brands with big advertising budgets will crowd it out of Google Maps. In most local searches, that fear is misplaced. The three businesses under the map are usually local independents competing with each other. The map pack, the three businesses Google shows with a map at the top of local search results, is where most local customers choose who to call. If national chains dominated it, independent businesses would have little chance on Google. Knowing how often chains actually win tells an owner who the real competition is. Independent businesses hold **93.3%** of map pack spots, and chains 6.7%, the same share chains hold across all positions. Chains take 5.2% of number one spots. The exceptions are a handful of services, led by locksmiths, where about one in four map pack spots goes to a chain. ## What we measured On September 23, 2026 we ran Google Maps searches for 20 local services, such as locksmith, plumber and restaurant, in 79 US cities, each with and without "near me": 3,160 searches in all. For each search we recorded every business ranked in the top 100. A chain is a business whose name appears in five or more of the 79 cities, such as a national brand or franchise. Every other business counts as independent. The map pack is the top three positions on Google Maps. We compare the chain share of the map pack, the number one spot and lower positions, by service and by city size, and compare chain and independent businesses in the map pack on reviews and rating. ## Chains are rare at every rank 93.3% of Google map pack spots go to independent local businesses. Chain share is flat down the rankings: chains hold 6.7% of positions 1 to 3, 6.7% of positions 4 to 10 and 6.2% of positions 11 to 20. At the very top they do slightly worse, holding 5.2% of number one spots. City size changes little: chains hold 7.1% of map pack spots in large cities and 5.9% in small towns. Chains Share of map pack spots 6.7% Share of number one spots 5.2% Share of map pack spots, large cities 7.1% Share of map pack spots, small towns 5.9% Source: Suff Digital analysis of 3,160 Google Maps searches for 20 local services in 79 US cities · Google Maps results, September 2026 | Measure | Chains | Independent businesses | | --- | --- | --- | | Share of map pack spots | 6.7% | 93.3% | | Share of number one spots | 5.2% | 94.8% | | Median reviews, map pack | 195 | 75 | | Average rating, map pack | 4.51 | 4.73 | | Share of map pack spots, large cities | 7.1% | 92.9% | | Share of map pack spots, small towns | 5.9% | 94.1% | Google picks the map pack mainly on distance, relevance and reputation, and a national name does not change any of those for a single location. A chain branch competes on the same terms as the independent down the street, and in most services there are far more independents. ## Locksmiths and pest control face the most chain competition Chain share varies sharply by service. On locksmith searches, chains hold 24.2% of map pack spots, about one in four. Pest control (14.6%), gyms (13.9%), moving companies (11.6%) and personal injury lawyers (11.2%) follow. On HVAC, hair salon and restaurant searches, chains are almost absent. Map pack spots held by chains by service searched Locksmith 24.2% Pest control 14.6% Gym 13.9% Moving company 11.6% Personal injury lawyer 11.2% Emergency plumber 8.4% Chiropractor 8.4% Accountant 7.8% Auto repair shop 7.4% Plumber 5.1% Dentist 2.5% Roofer 1.5% Hair salon 0.8% HVAC company 0.6% Restaurant 0.4% The chains that appear most often in the map pack are KeyMe Locksmiths (88 spots), Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Water Cleanup (56), The Joint Chiropractic (38), Planet Fitness (20), Morgan and Morgan (18), Minute Key (18), Firestone Complete Auto Care (16) and Two Men and a Truck (14). These brands have many locations in the services where they appear, which is why their category shares are higher. ## Chains bring more reviews, independents bring higher ratings Chain locations that make the map pack have a median of 195 Google reviews, against 75 for independents. A national brand draws a steady flow of customers and reviews to every branch. Independents win on rating. Independent businesses in the map pack average 4.73 stars, against 4.51 for chain locations. An owner who knows the customers, answers the phone and replies to reviews personally is well placed to earn high scores, and that is the edge an independent can build on. ## What this means for local business owners If you run an independent business, the chain down the street is not your main map pack threat in most services. Your competition is other local businesses with similar resources. Reviews, a complete Google Business Profile and the right business category are the levers you share with them. In chain-heavy services such as locksmiths, pest control and gyms, compete where independents already lead: ratings. A strong rating with steady recent reviews, and replies that show a real owner behind the business, set you apart next to a national brand. Close the review count gap where you can by asking every customer, every time. Our local seo packages (https://www.suffdigital.com/seo/local-seo-services) help independent businesses win map pack spots in markets where national brands compete. ## Embed this research Paste this on your site to embed the charts. It links back to the source automatically.

Source: Independent Businesses Hold 93.3% of Google Map Pack Spots vs 6.7% for Chains - Suff Digital

## Cite this study APA Suff Digital. (2026). Independent Businesses Hold 93.3% of Google Map Pack Spots vs 6.7% for Chains. https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack Plain link Independent Businesses Hold 93.3% of Google Map Pack Spots vs 6.7% for Chains - Suff Digital - https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack ## Frequently asked questions ### Do chains dominate Google Maps results? ### Which local searches have the most chains in the map pack? ### Which chains appear most in the Google map pack? ### Do chains or independents have better Google ratings? ## Related studies - Local SEO The No. 1 Business on Google Maps Has a Median of 101 Reviews vs 39 at Position 20: https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/map-pack-ranking-factors-reviews - Local SEO 79.4% of Map Pack Businesses Have the Search Keyword in Their Business Name: https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/keywords-in-business-name-map-pack - Local SEO 72.4% of Google Map Pack Businesses Are Within a Mile of the Search Location: https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/map-pack-distance-from-searcher - Local SEO Adding "Near Me" Changes the Google Map Pack 57.1% of the Time: https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/near-me-changes-map-pack ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#organization", "name": "Suff Digital", "alternateName": "Suff Digital Marketing", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#logo", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/logo.png", "contentUrl": "https://www.suffdigital.com/logo.png", "caption": "Suff Digital" }, "image": { "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#logo" }, "description": "Suff Digital is a full-stack digital marketing agency that turns websites into predictable revenue engines, SEO, paid media, content, CRO, and web design built around revenue, not vanity metrics.", "slogan": "Digital marketing built for what's next.", "email": "hello@suffdigital.com", "telephone": "+1-629-236-0099", "foundingDate": "2022", "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matt Suffoletto", "jobTitle": "Founder & CEO" }, "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+1-629-236-0099", "email": "hello@suffdigital.com", "contactType": "sales", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "en" ] } ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressLocality": "Nashville", "addressRegion": "TN", "postalCode": "37219", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": { "@type": "Country", "name": "United States" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/suff-digital/", "https://www.instagram.com/suffdigital/", "https://www.youtube.com/@suffdigitalmarketing", "https://www.tiktok.com/@suffdigital" ], "knowsAbout": [ "Search Engine Optimization", "Pay-Per-Click Advertising", "Paid Social Advertising", "Conversion Rate Optimization", "Web Design", "Digital PR", "Link Building", "Website Migration", "Website Maintenance and Support", "Technical SEO", "Local SEO", "AI Search Optimization" ], "hasOfferCatalog": { "@type": "OfferCatalog", "name": "Suff Digital Services", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/ppc" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Paid Social Advertising", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/paid-social" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/cro" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Web Design", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/web-design" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Digital PR & Link Building", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/digital-pr" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Website Migration", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/website-migration" } }, { "@type": "Offer", "itemOffered": { "@type": "Service", "name": "Website Maintenance & Support", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/services/website-maintenance" } } ] } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#website", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/", "name": "Suff Digital", "inLanguage": "en-US", "publisher": { "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack#article", "headline": "Independent Businesses Hold 93.3% of Google Map Pack Spots vs 6.7% for Chains", "description": "Independent local businesses hold 93.3% of the spots in Google's map pack, and chains hold 6.7%. 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Being part of a national brand does not buy a place in the top three on Google Maps, except in a few services such as locksmiths, pest control and gyms.", "url": "https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack", "creator": { "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/#organization" }, "datePublished": "2026-09-24", "dateModified": "2026-09-24", "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "measurementTechnique": "Google Maps search results (US)" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.suffdigital.com/resources/data-studies/chains-vs-local-businesses-map-pack#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do chains dominate Google Maps results?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Chains hold 6.7% of Google map pack spots and 5.2% of number one spots on Google Maps; independent local businesses hold 93.3% of map pack spots (September 2026)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which local searches have the most chains in the map pack?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Locksmith searches, where chains hold 24.2% of Google map pack spots, followed by pest control (14.6%) and gyms (13.9%)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which chains appear most in the Google map pack?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "KeyMe Locksmiths, with 88 map pack spots across 3,160 Google Maps searches, followed by Roto-Rooter (56) and The Joint Chiropractic (38)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do chains or independents have better Google ratings?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Independents. Independent businesses in Google's map pack average 4.73 stars, against 4.51 for chain locations, though chains have more reviews (a median of 195 against 75)." } } ] } ] } ] ```