Why Google’s Map Pack Beats Yelp, Angi, and Every Other Directory for Local Leads

If you’re listed in every directory but still not getting calls… You’re not alone, and you’re probably focusing on the wrong place.

See, most local businesses are on Yelp, Angi, Thumbtack, and a dozen other directories. But many still struggle to get found, let alone get leads.

The problem is, not all listings are created equal.

And if your goal is leads, booked appointments, and real walk-ins, you need to show up where buyers are actually clicking.

In this post, we’ll break down Google’s Map Pack vs directories like Yelp and Angi, so you know exactly where to focus first, with data to back it up.

What Is the Google Map Pack? (And Why It Works So Good For Local Leads)

When someone searches “plumber near me” or “HVAC Austin”, the first thing they see on Google isn’t Yelp or Thumbtack, it’s the Map Pack.

That’s the box at the top of search results with a map and the top 3 local businesses, showing names, star ratings, and a “Call” or “Directions” button.

[image of Map Pack]

And it beats every other result on the page:

• It appears before all organic search results 
• It sits above any directory links 
• It captures 80% of all local clicks 
• It’s built right into Google with no filters, no logins, no extra steps
  

Essentially, if you’re not in the Map Pack… 4 out of 5 searchers never even see your business.

What Are Yelp, Angi, and Thumbtack? (And Where They Fall Short)

Directories like Yelp, Angi, and Thumbtack are third-party platforms. They typically show up after the Map Pack and require the user to click through to another site, filter listings, read pages of reviews, and often create an account.

Here’s the issue:

• They rely on paid placement, so the highest bidder ranks higher 
• Reviews are often outdated or spammed 
• The user experience is slow, cluttered, and full of friction 
• And worst of all, most people bounce back to Google anyway

By the time a buyer scrolls down to Yelp or Angi, they’ve usually already clicked a business from the Map Pack.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Map Pack vs Directories

What Real Local Buyers Click

Let’s talk about user behavior.

📱 On mobile? Most users tap the first listing they trust.

💻 On desktop? They still don’t scroll far.

Study after study shows:

• 4 out of 5 local service buyers never scroll past the Map Pack 
• Most people trust Google’s suggestions more than Yelp or Angi rankings 
• Buyers suffer “review fatigue”, they don’t want to scroll through 40 listings 
• They want the fastest path to action, and the Map Pack gives it to them

That means if you’re spending time or money ranking on directories, but not Google Maps, you’re losing the majority of your leads (~80%).

So, What Should You Focus On First?

If you’re a local business, your first and most important move is to:

👉 Rank in the Top 3 on Google Maps.

Why Jumper Local Focuses 100% on Google Maps (Not Directories)

At Jumper Local, we don’t bother with Angi or Thumbtack. We don’t run fake clicks or offer SEO packages with blog posts.

We help service businesses rank in the Top 3 on Google Maps, fast.

✅ We drive real, human, GPS-based activity to your profile

✅ This increases your popularity score, the #1 ranking factor

✅ And it works: over 4,000+ local businesses have used this system to rank (and many cut their ad spend in half after)

We don’t ask for your passwords.

We don’t require contracts.

And we don’t charge until after you rank.

We’ll get you ranked in the Top 3 before you ever pay.

Being listed everywhere means nothing if you’re not showing up where it counts.

>> Try Jumper Local Free Now, No Credit Card Required