Places Scout is a local SEO platform with an interesting differentiator: an automated lead generation feature that identifies local businesses with weak SEO and presents them as potential clients. This makes it appealing to agencies looking to grow their client base at the same time as managing existing work.
The core rank tracking is solid, with geogrid-style visualisations and the ability to track rankings across multiple locations and keywords. The data is detailed and the reporting features are thorough enough for professional client work.
I find the lead gen feature clever in theory, though in practice automated lead generation tools often produce mixed results. The quality of the leads depends on how you configure your searches, and converting cold leads from a tool like this requires real sales effort on top. But as a way to identify local opportunities in your target market, it’s a distinctive feature that no other tool in this category offers.
The interface feels a bit dated compared to newer competitors, and the learning curve is steeper than tools like LocalFalcon. For an experienced local SEO practitioner it’s manageable, but I wouldn’t hand it to a client and expect them to navigate it themselves. At $59 per month it sits in the mid-range of the market, and for agencies that want to combine rank tracking with new business development, it’s worth evaluating.