Bookmap Tutorial for Gold: Heatmap, Icebergs & Absorption
Short answer: Bookmap draws the gold futures order book over time as a heatmap and plots every trade as a bubble. For gold, load COMEX GC or MGC with a market-by-order feed, then read four things: liquidity walls, pulling/stacking, icebergs and absorption.
Setup
- Instrument: GC (100 oz) or MGC (10 oz), front month.
- Data: a CME market data feed (for example through Rithmic); market-by-order data shows individual orders and icebergs.
- Heatmap contrast: tune it so normal size is dim and unusually large resting orders stand out.
Four things to read
- Liquidity walls: bright, persistent lines = large resting limit orders.
- Pulling and stacking: walls that vanish before price arrives, or appear in front of it (definition).
- Icebergs: a price that keeps refilling after being hit (iceberg orders).
- Absorption: large aggressive bubbles hitting a level without moving it (absorption).
From GC to XAUUSD
Bookmap shows futures prices. To use the levels on a broker chart, subtract the futures-spot gap (GC to XAUUSD converter).
AK FlowBook for Bookmap
We are building AK FlowBook BM, an order-flow add-on for Bookmap that labels these events on gold and other CME futures. It is in development; the NinjaTrader version is documented in the AK FlowBook docs. Comment FLOWBOOK on Instagram @akorderflow for the waitlist.
FAQ
Is Bookmap good for gold?
Yes for gold futures (GC/MGC), which have a central order book; it cannot show a real order book for XAUUSD CFDs.
What data feed does Bookmap need for gold?
A CME futures data feed; market-by-order data adds individual order detail such as icebergs.
What is a heatmap in trading?
A picture of the order book over time; brighter areas mean larger resting orders.
Related guides
- Gold Trading Strategy: Asian, London & New York Sessions
- How to Trade Gold for Beginners: XAUUSD Step-by-Step
- ICT vs Order Flow: Smart Money Concepts vs Real Volume
- Liquidity Sweep & Stop Hunt in Gold: What Order Flow Shows
- Free order flow trading course (Academy)
Education only. Not financial advice. No signals. Trading involves substantial risk of loss.