GMB Everywhere

GMB Everywhere is a Chrome extension that layers extra data onto Google Maps and Google Search results. Its main strength is surfacing business categories – both primary and secondary – that are otherwise hidden behind clicks. I recently audited a set of plumbers in Manchester and found that my client's main competitor had a secondary category "Water Heater Installation" that I would have missed if I had only checked the public profile. That single category changed my content strategy for the client's website. The extension also shows the services listed on a profile, which is useful for competitive benchmarking. I use it to quickly scan a dozen competitors in a new area without logging into [Google My Business](/google-my-business/) each time. It works on both Maps and Search result pages, so you see the data in context. I often pair it with a manual check of the [local SEO](/local-seo/) fundamentals like NAP consistency. Another feature I rely on is the ability to see the GBP ID and phone number without opening the profile. For a quick reconnaissance phase, GMB Everywhere saves me at least 10 minutes per competitor. I would not start a new client audit without it open in a tab.

Where I got tripped up was assuming GMB Everywhere could replace a management dashboard. The extension is not designed for managing your own [Business Profile](/business-profile/). You cannot update hours, respond to reviews, or edit posts from within it. I tried to use it to monitor a client's GBP health over time and realised it only gives a snapshot, not historical data. I had to take screenshots manually to track a category change, which defeated the purpose. If you manage multiple locations, you will still need to log into Google Business Profile directly or use a platform like BrightLocal for tracking changes. Another awkward point: it only works in Chrome, so if you prefer Firefox or Edge, you are out of luck. It also adds overlays to the page that can sometimes be intrusive, especially on smaller screens. I found that when I was doing a [local SEO audit](/local-seo-audit/), I had to switch between tabs to compare data, which slowed me down. The extension is great for a quick look, but for a thorough audit you need to dig deeper. I also noticed that it occasionally misses services or categories if the profile is not fully loaded. So I always refresh the page after installing it. It is a tool, not a solution.

For a full [local SEO](/local-seo-tools/) audit I now use BrightLocal because it checks consistency across directories, tracks rankings, and provides review analysis. GMB Everywhere is better for a quick look at categories and services, but when I need to dig into citation health or monitor changes over time, BrightLocal wins. Another option is the Google Business Profile dashboard itself for managing your own listings. But that does not give you competitor data. For category research alone, I have also tried the free tool "GMB Spy" but it is less reliable because it often fails to load on new profiles. I keep GMB Everywhere installed for the initial reconnaissance phase. If you are a [local SEO specialist](/local-seo-specialist/), you might also consider using a dedicated [citation SEO](/citation-seo/) tool to find inconsistent NAP data. The combination of GMB Everywhere for competitor insights and a full audit platform for your own profiles gives you a complete picture. I would not recommend relying on any single tool. The price difference matters too: GMB Everywhere is free, while BrightLocal starts at £29 per month. For a one-off audit, the free extension is unbeatable, but for ongoing work, the paid platform pays for itself.