If you're investing in SEO, you need to track whether your efforts are paying off. Knowing how to check your keyword rankings on Google is essential for measuring progress, identifying opportunities, and making data-driven decisions about your optimization strategy.
Whether you're a business owner managing your own SEO or an agency tracking client results, this guide covers every method available—from free tools to enterprise solutions. You'll learn the pros and cons of each approach and when to use which tool.
Why Checking Keyword Rankings Matters
Before we dive into the how-to, let's understand why keyword rank tracking is crucial for your SEO strategy.
Measure SEO Performance
Rankings are a leading indicator of SEO success. When your rankings improve, traffic typically follows. Tracking rankings helps you see whether your optimization work is moving the needle before you see the full impact in traffic and conversions.
Identify What's Working (and What Isn't)
By monitoring rankings, you can identify which content performs well and which pages need more work. Did that new blog post help you rank for your target keyword? Is your service page slipping for important commercial terms? Regular tracking tells you.
Spot Opportunities and Threats
Rank tracking reveals opportunities you might miss otherwise. You might discover you're ranking on page two for a high-value keyword—just one push away from page one traffic. Or you might catch a competitor outranking you before you lose significant traffic.
Report Progress to Stakeholders
If you're managing SEO for clients or reporting to management, ranking data provides concrete evidence of progress. It demonstrates the value of your SEO investment in clear, measurable terms.
Method 1: Manual Google Searches (The Free But Limited Way)
The simplest way to check keyword rankings is to search Google yourself. While this method has significant limitations, it's free and can work for quick spot-checks.
How to Do Manual Rank Checks
To check your rankings manually:
- Open an incognito or private browser window (this prevents personalized results)
- Go to google.com
- Type in your target keyword
- Scroll through the results to find your website
- Note which position you appear in (counting ads and local packs as positions)
Limitations of Manual Checking
Manual rank checking has serious drawbacks:
- Personalization: Google personalizes results based on location, search history, and device, making it hard to see "true" rankings
- Time-consuming: Checking multiple keywords takes forever
- No historical data: You can't see how rankings changed over time
- No scale: Impossible for businesses tracking dozens or hundreds of keywords
- Location variance: Rankings differ by geographic location, and manual checking only shows your location
Use manual checking only for occasional spot-checks or curiosity. For serious SEO work, you need better tools.
Method 2: Google Search Console (Free and Essential)
Google Search Console (GSC) is the gold standard for free rank tracking. It's provided directly by Google and offers accurate data about how your site performs in Google Search.
What Google Search Console Shows
In the Performance report, GSC shows:
- Average position: Your average ranking for each query
- Impressions: How many times your site appeared in search results
- Clicks: How many people clicked through to your site
- Click-through rate (CTR): The percentage of impressions that resulted in clicks
How to Check Rankings in Google Search Console
To view your keyword rankings in GSC:
- Log into Google Search Console at search.google.com/search-console
- Select your website property
- Click "Performance" in the left sidebar
- Ensure the "Average position" metric is enabled (click the checkbox at the top)
- Scroll down to the "Queries" table to see keywords and their average positions
- Click on any query to see detailed performance over time
Advanced GSC Tips for Rank Tracking
Compare date ranges: Click the date selector to compare your current rankings to a previous period. This quickly shows which keywords improved or declined.
Filter by page: Click "Page" instead of "Queries" to see which pages rank for the most keywords, then filter by a specific page to see all its rankings.
Filter by country: If you operate in multiple countries, use the country filter to see location-specific rankings.
Export data: Click "Export" to download ranking data to Excel or Google Sheets for further analysis.
Limitations of Google Search Console
While GSC is invaluable, it has some constraints:
- Only shows queries you already rank for: GSC doesn't reveal keyword opportunities you're not yet ranking for
- Average position only: You get an average, not your exact position every time the keyword is searched
- Limited historical data: Data only goes back 16 months
- No competitor data: You can't see how competitors rank for the same keywords
- Sampling: For very high-traffic sites, Google may sample data rather than reporting every single impression
Despite these limitations, Google Search Console should be your starting point for keyword rank tracking. It's free, accurate, and comes straight from Google.
Method 3: SEMrush (Comprehensive Paid Tool)
SEMrush is one of the most popular all-in-one SEO platforms, offering powerful rank tracking alongside competitive research, keyword discovery, and site auditing.
SEMrush Rank Tracking Features
SEMrush provides:
- Daily rank updates: Automatic daily tracking for your chosen keywords
- Location-specific tracking: Track rankings for specific cities, states, or countries
- Mobile vs. desktop: Separate tracking for mobile and desktop rankings
- SERP feature tracking: See if your pages appear in featured snippets, local packs, or other special results
- Competitor comparison: Track up to 20 competitors for the same keywords
- Historical data: Unlimited ranking history as long as you maintain your subscription
- Ranking distribution: Visual charts showing how many keywords rank in positions 1-3, 4-10, 11-20, etc.
How to Set Up Rank Tracking in SEMrush
- Log into your SEMrush account
- Go to "Position Tracking" under the "Rank Tracking" section
- Click "Set up tracking" and enter your domain
- Add your target keywords (you can paste a list or import from GSC)
- Select your target location and device type
- Add competitor domains to track alongside your rankings
- Click "Start Tracking"
SEMrush will begin tracking daily rankings for all your keywords. Check back regularly to monitor changes and trends.
SEMrush Pricing and Limitations
SEMrush pricing starts at $129.95/month for the Pro plan, which includes:
- 500 keywords tracked
- 5 projects
- Daily updates
Higher tiers (Guru at $249.95/month and Business at $499.95/month) offer more keywords, projects, and additional features.
The main limitation is cost—it's a significant investment for small businesses. However, the comprehensive feature set often justifies the price for serious SEO practitioners.
Method 4: Ahrefs (Powerful Alternative)
Ahrefs is another industry-leading SEO platform that excels at rank tracking and competitive analysis. Many SEO professionals prefer Ahrefs for its intuitive interface and massive backlink index.
Ahrefs Rank Tracking Features
Ahrefs Rank Tracker offers:
- On-demand updates: Check rankings whenever you want, not just on a schedule
- Location targeting: Track rankings for any location down to the city level
- Mobile and desktop tracking: Separate rank tracking for different devices
- SERP feature monitoring: See when you appear in featured snippets, local packs, and more
- Competitor tracking: Monitor up to 10 competitors per project
- Share of voice: Estimate how much search traffic you capture compared to competitors
- Movement indicators: Quickly spot which keywords moved up or down
Setting Up Rank Tracking in Ahrefs
- Log into Ahrefs and navigate to "Rank Tracker"
- Click "Add Project" and enter your domain
- Import keywords from Google Search Console or paste a list
- Select your target location
- Choose mobile or desktop (or track both)
- Add competitor domains
- Click "Add keywords and start tracking"
Ahrefs will track your rankings and provide detailed reports showing changes, SERP features, and competitive positioning.
Ahrefs Pricing
Ahrefs starts at $129/month for the Lite plan, which includes:
- 750 keywords tracked
- On-demand rank updates (up to 100 per day)
- 2 years of history
Higher plans (Standard at $249/month, Advanced at $449/month, and Enterprise at $14,990/month) offer more keywords and features.
Ahrefs is comparable in price to SEMrush, making the choice often come down to personal preference and which additional features you value most.
Method 5: Moz Pro (User-Friendly Option)
Moz Pro is another well-established SEO platform known for its beginner-friendly interface and educational resources. It's particularly popular among agencies and in-house teams.
Moz Pro Rank Tracking Features
Moz Pro's rank tracker includes:
- Weekly rank updates: Automatic tracking once per week (more frequent updates on higher plans)
- Local rank tracking: Track rankings for specific locations
- Mobile and desktop: Separate tracking for different devices
- SERP feature tracking: Monitor featured snippets and other special results
- Ranking distribution: Visual breakdown of how your keywords distribute across ranking positions
- Competitive comparison: Track competitors alongside your own rankings
- Email reports: Automated ranking reports delivered to your inbox
Moz Pro Pricing
Moz Pro starts at $99/month for the Standard plan, which includes:
- 300 keywords tracked
- Weekly rank updates
- 3 campaigns
Moz is slightly more affordable than SEMrush and Ahrefs while offering a solid feature set, making it attractive for smaller teams and businesses.
Method 6: Rank Math / Yoast SEO (WordPress Plugins)
If you run a WordPress site, plugins like Rank Math and Yoast SEO offer basic rank tracking features integrated directly into your dashboard.
WordPress Plugin Rank Tracking
These plugins typically offer:
- Google Search Console integration: View GSC data within WordPress
- Basic rank monitoring: See positions for your focus keywords
- Content optimization: Get real-time SEO recommendations as you write
Limitations
WordPress SEO plugins are not full-featured rank trackers. They're best for:
- Bloggers and small site owners who want basic visibility
- Quick checks while editing content
- Teams already using the plugin for on-page SEO
For serious rank tracking, use dedicated tools like GSC or paid platforms.
Method 7: Specialized Rank Trackers
Several tools specialize exclusively in rank tracking. They often provide excellent value for teams that only need ranking data (not backlink analysis or other SEO features).
AccuRanker
AccuRanker is a dedicated rank tracking tool known for on-demand updates and accurate data. It starts at $116/month for 1,000 keywords with daily updates.
Key features:
- On-demand rank checks
- Extremely fast updates
- Unlimited historical data
- API access for custom integrations
SE Ranking
SE Ranking is an affordable all-in-one platform starting at $55/month for 250 keywords tracked daily.
Key features:
- Daily rank updates
- Competitor analysis
- White-label reports (great for agencies)
- More affordable than SEMrush/Ahrefs
SerpWatcher by Mangools
SerpWatcher is part of the Mangools suite, starting at $29.90/month for 200 tracked keywords.
Key features:
- Daily rank updates
- Clean, simple interface
- Excellent for beginners
- Most affordable premium option
How to Choose the Right Rank Tracking Tool
With so many options, how do you choose? Consider these factors:
Budget
If you're on a tight budget:
- Start with Google Search Console: It's free and provides accurate data directly from Google
- Consider SerpWatcher: At under $30/month, it's the most affordable premium option
- Try free trials: Most paid tools offer 7-day free trials—test before committing
Number of Keywords
How many keywords do you need to track?
- Under 50 keywords: Google Search Console may be sufficient
- 50-500 keywords: Entry-level plans from any major platform work
- 500+ keywords: You'll need higher-tier plans or specialized trackers
Feature Requirements
Do you need rank tracking only, or additional SEO features?
- Rank tracking only: AccuRanker or SerpWatcher provide focused functionality
- All-in-one SEO platform: SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz offer rank tracking plus keyword research, backlink analysis, site audits, and more
Team Size and Collaboration
How many people need access?
- Solo: Any tool works; choose based on features and budget
- Small team: Look for tools with multiple user seats (check pricing for additional users)
- Agency: Consider white-label reporting capabilities and client management features
Best Practices for Tracking Keyword Rankings
Once you've chosen your tool, follow these best practices to get maximum value from your rank tracking.
Track the Right Keywords
Don't track every possible keyword. Focus on:
- Commercial keywords: Terms that drive revenue (e.g., "buy running shoes," "plumber near me")
- Brand keywords: Your company name and branded terms
- Core service/product keywords: Primary terms describing what you offer
- High-potential keywords: Terms where you rank on page 2 and could realistically reach page 1
Set Realistic Expectations
Rankings fluctuate daily. Don't panic over minor changes:
- A drop from #3 to #5 is normal volatility
- Focus on trends over weeks and months, not daily changes
- Some algorithms updates cause temporary shuffling before settling
Look Beyond Position
Ranking position matters, but it's not everything:
- Check traffic: Rankings should drive traffic—if not, investigate why
- Monitor conversions: The ultimate goal is customers, not rankings
- Track featured snippets: Position 0 (featured snippet) often captures more clicks than position 1
Compare Mobile vs. Desktop
Mobile rankings often differ from desktop. Since most searches now happen on mobile, prioritize mobile rankings for most businesses (unless you're B2B where desktop research is more common).
Track Competitors
Don't track rankings in a vacuum. Monitor competitors to:
- Understand competitive intensity for each keyword
- Spot when competitors make gains (and investigate why)
- Identify content gaps and opportunities
Connect Rankings to Business Metrics
The ultimate value of rankings is business results. Track:
- Organic traffic: Are ranking improvements driving more visitors?
- Leads generated: Are those visitors converting?
- Revenue: Is organic search contributing to the bottom line?
This connects your SEO work to business outcomes, making it easier to justify continued investment.
Common Rank Tracking Mistakes to Avoid
Checking Rankings Without Considering Intent
Ranking #1 for "free SEO tips" won't help if you sell premium SEO services. Track keywords that match your business goals and customer intent.
Ignoring Local Variations
If you're a local business, generic national rankings don't matter. Track rankings for your specific city or service area—that's where your customers search from.
Obsessing Over Daily Fluctuations
Rankings bounce around daily. Checking every day and reacting to minor changes wastes time and energy. Check weekly or monthly and focus on trends.
Not Verifying with Traffic Data
Sometimes tools show inaccurate rankings. Always verify ranking improvements with actual traffic increases in Google Analytics. If rankings rise but traffic doesn't, dig deeper.
Tracking Too Many Keywords
More isn't always better. Tracking hundreds of keywords spreads your focus too thin. Prioritize the 20-50 keywords that matter most to your business.
How Often Should You Check Keyword Rankings?
The right frequency depends on your situation:
Weekly Checking
Best for:
- Small businesses with focused keyword targets
- New websites building initial rankings
- Campaigns targeting a handful of high-priority keywords
Daily Checking
Best for:
- Agencies managing multiple clients
- E-commerce sites in competitive niches
- Businesses actively running SEO campaigns
- Times when you've made significant site changes
Monthly Checking
Best for:
- Established sites with stable rankings
- Teams with limited time/resources
- Long-term strategy focus over tactical adjustments
Most businesses benefit from weekly reviews with daily data collection running in the background. This lets you spot issues quickly without obsessing over daily volatility.
What to Do When Rankings Drop
Ranking drops happen. Here's how to respond effectively:
1. Confirm the Drop Is Real
Check multiple sources:
- Verify in Google Search Console
- Check your rank tracking tool
- Look at traffic in Google Analytics
If all three confirm a significant drop, it's real and needs investigation.
2. Identify the Scope
Did one keyword drop, or many?
- Single keyword: Likely a content or on-page issue specific to that page
- Multiple related keywords: Could be a category-wide issue or algorithm update
- Site-wide drop: Technical issue, penalty, or major algorithm update
3. Check for Technical Issues
Common technical causes of ranking drops:
- Server downtime or slow loading times
- Accidentally blocked pages (robots.txt or noindex tags)
- Mobile usability issues
- Broken internal links
- Security issues (malware, hacked content)
4. Review Recent Changes
Did you recently:
- Update content on the affected pages?
- Change site structure or URLs?
- Modify internal linking?
- Update your CMS or plugins?
Changes made 1-2 weeks before the drop are likely culprits.
5. Check for Algorithm Updates
Google runs algorithm updates regularly. Check:
- Google Search Central blog
- SEO news sites (Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land)
- Algorithm tracking tools (SEMrush Sensor, Moz Cast)
If an update occurred, you may need to adjust your content strategy to align with Google's new priorities.
6. Analyze Competitor Movement
If you dropped, someone else likely gained. Check:
- Who now ranks above you?
- What are they doing differently?
- Did they add better content, more backlinks, or improve technical SEO?
7. Take Corrective Action
Based on your investigation:
- Fix technical issues immediately
- Update and improve content quality
- Add more depth, examples, or updated information
- Improve internal linking to affected pages
- Build new backlinks to dropped pages
Give your fixes 2-4 weeks to show results. Rankings rarely recover overnight.
Conclusion: Start Tracking Your Rankings Today
Checking your keyword rankings on Google isn't optional—it's essential for measuring SEO success and making informed optimization decisions. The right approach depends on your budget, team size, and specific needs, but every business should at minimum use Google Search Console.
Start simple:
- Set up Google Search Console if you haven't already (it's free and takes 5 minutes)
- Identify your 20-30 most important keywords
- Check your current rankings for these terms
- Set a reminder to review rankings weekly or monthly
- If you need more advanced features, try free trials of SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz
Remember: rankings are a means to an end. The goal isn't to rank #1 for vanity—it's to attract customers, generate leads, and grow your business. Track rankings as part of a holistic SEO strategy that connects search visibility to business results.
Ready to improve those rankings? Start by understanding where you currently stand, then optimize systematically based on data rather than guesswork.