A full heatmap refresh rescans every keyword you are tracking, across every point on your map grid. Because the cost grows with each keyword and each grid point, it helps to estimate the total before you start. This article explains how the cost is calculated and how to work out what you need.
🔍 What a Full Refresh Does
A full refresh re-checks your ranking position for every existing keyword in the heatmap, at every location point on the grid. It replaces your previous results with fresh data. Because it covers everything at once, it uses more quota than refreshing a single keyword.
🧮 The Cost Formula
The cost depends on three things:
- Number of keywords you want to rescan.
- Grid size, meaning how many points are on each map (for example 3x3 has 9 points, 5x5 has 25, and 7x7 has 49).
- Credit rate per scan on your current plan.
To estimate the total, use this calculation:
- Multiply keywords × grid points to get the total number of scans.
- Multiply the total scans by the credit rate per scan shown for your plan.
The credit rate can differ by plan and may change over time. Always treat the amount shown in the platform before you confirm a refresh as the final figure.
📝 Worked Example
This example uses illustrative numbers only, so replace them with your own.
- You track 40 keywords.
- Your grid is 7x7, which is 49 points.
- Total scans: 40 × 49 = 1,960 scans.
If your plan charges 1 credit per scan, a full refresh would cost 1,960 credits. If the rate is different, multiply 1,960 by that rate instead.
If you used a 5x5 grid instead, the same 40 keywords would be 40 × 25 = 1,000 scans. Grid size has a big effect on the total.
✅ How to Calculate Your Own Total
- Open the heatmap and count the keywords you are tracking.
- Check the grid size used for those keywords. If different keywords use different grid sizes, calculate each group separately and add them together.
- Multiply keywords by grid points for each group.
- Add the groups together to get your total scans.
- Apply your plan's credit rate per scan.
- Compare the result with your remaining quota in your account usage or billing area.
⚠️ What If You Do Not Have Enough Quota?
If your estimated cost is higher than your remaining quota, you have a few options:
- Refresh in batches. Start with your highest-priority keywords and refresh the rest after your quota renews.
- Remove unused keywords. Keywords you no longer need still add to the cost of a full refresh.
- Use a smaller grid. A smaller grid means fewer scans per keyword, though with less location detail.
- Upgrade your plan or add quota. This is useful if you regularly need full refreshes.
💡 Tips to Keep Costs Predictable
- Review your keyword list regularly and remove anything outdated.
- Choose the grid size that matches how much local detail you actually need.
- Avoid running a full refresh more often than your reporting requires.
- Check your remaining quota before starting a large refresh.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does a full refresh cost the same as refreshing keywords one by one?
The scan count is the same, since each keyword is scanned at each grid point either way. A full refresh simply does them all at once.
Can I see the exact cost before I confirm?
Check the confirmation details shown in the platform before you start a refresh. That figure is the most accurate for your account.
Why is my cost higher than I expected?
The most common reasons are a larger grid than you remembered, more keywords than you thought, or keywords you meant to remove that are still being tracked.
🛟 Need Help Confirming Your Exact Number?
If you want us to confirm the exact credits needed to scan all the keywords in your heatmap, we can check your account for you. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.