The subject technology provides embodiments for a relevance ranking algorithm of point of interests (POIs). Based on a query request from a user of a mapping application, the relevance ranking orders the matching POIs based on either a reverse logistic distance function or a logarithmic distance function that is used as a multiplier for a baseline score of each of the matching POIs. The multiplier is used to boost or discount the respective relevance of each of the matching POIs, especially with respect to a specified area of interest included in the query request or a location of a user included in the query request. A subset of the ranked POIs may then be selected for display to the user.