Short answer
Search the keyword in the country and language your buyers use, find your site in the first 20 organic results, and note the position and the page that ranked. Repeat each week and compare. A rank tracker runs the search and keeps the history for you.
Steps
- 1Pick the keywordsChoose keywords a buyer would type, each with a page on your site that answers it.
- 2Set the country and languageRankings differ by market. Check in the country and language you sell to, not where you sit.
- 3Read the organic resultsSkip ads and map packs. Note the first result from your domain, its position, and its URL.
- 4Save the result with the dateOne number means little on its own. Keep every check so this week sits next to last week.
- 5Repeat on a scheduleWeekly is enough for most sites. Check again after you change the page.
What you will learn
You will make a repeatable keyword ranking check. You will also learn why a tracker position and Search Console average can differ.
Choose a keyword, country, language, and page before you start. Use keyword selection if the keyword list is still unclear.
Keep the check conditions consistent
Your location and search context can affect results. A private window reduces some history effects. It does not remove location or all personalization.
Record the keyword, market, date, and result type. Use the same settings for later comparisons.
A manual check is a sample from that context. A tracker also measures a defined context, rather than every customer's search.
Identify the results you are counting
| Result | Included in RankMySEO's organic position check? |
|---|---|
| Sponsored ad | No |
| Local map result | No |
| Answer or question feature | No |
| Counted organic result | Yes |
Different tools can count features differently. Read the tool's method before comparing its numbers.
Save the ranking URL. The same position can refer to a different page in the next check.
Understand the measured range
RankMySEO checks the first 20 organic results. 20+ means the site was not found within that range.
It does not establish whether the actual position was 21, 60, or absent from the wider results.
Read Search Console separately
Search Console reports appearances under its own measurement rules. Average position combines observations within the selected filters.
| Measurement | Example interpretation |
|---|---|
| Fixed-market tracker check | This URL appeared at position 8 for this keyword during this check |
| Search Console average position | Recorded appearances averaged position 11 under the selected filters |
| Search Console impressions | The result appeared under the report's counting rules |
| Search Console clicks | Users selected the result under the report's counting rules |
CTR means click-through rate. Divide clicks by impressions, then multiply by 100. Five clicks from 100 impressions gives 5 percent.
An average is not a contradiction of one check. Compare matching dates and markets where the reports allow it.
Read Search Console vs a rank tracker for the broader comparison.
How to use a rank tracker
- Add your site.
- Set the country and language your customers use.
- Add selected keywords.
- Read the first available check.
- Open each keyword's history and ranking URL.
- Record the date of any page change.
- Compare later checks with the same settings.
Auto-add can suggest candidates where your plan includes it. Review those suggestions against your actual services.
Every RankMySEO plan has weekly checks. See rank tracking for coverage and daily checks for cadence details.
Review the outcome
A position increase is useful evidence. It does not establish more customers.
Check relevant impressions, clicks, and the intended action on the page. Investigate a sustained change through the ranking diagnosis guide.
For a definition of the category, read what rank tracker software does.
