The Rank Tracking feature enables users to track the search engine performance of any website. By adding a website URL, selecting keywords for monitoring, and specifying languages and locations, users can see weekly updates on keyword positions. Rank Tracking offers valuable insights, helping users refine their SEO strategies and improve their website's organic search rankings.
One of the features available in the Rank Tracking is the Average Position graphic.
What is the Average Position?
The average position graphic displays the average ranking of all keywords being tracked in a project. This visual representation helps users quickly assess overall keyword performance and identify trends.
In grey, the first number is the previous average position of all keywords. The number in black (bold) displays the average position of the timeframe selected. The smaller number shown in red in the example below indicates how many positions were lost.
Hovering over the dots in the graph shows the average position of the date selected:
If the website sees progress in rankings, the smaller number will be green, and it will show an upward arrow instead.
How is Average Position Calculated?
The Average Position is the average of all rankings for the keywords in a project. Any tracked keyword the website does not rank for is calculated as a ranking of +100.
When the rank tracking shows the status Not Ranked beside the keyword, this means that the keyword ranks above the 100th position in Google search – for the timeframe selected in the project.
For instance, if a project has 50 keywords and 25 of them rank above position +100, this will negatively impact the average position.
If a project has 50 keywords ranking under position 100, this has a positive impact on the average.
Therefore, a lower average position signifies that the website is moving in a positive direction.
The average Position Graph is Not Updated
Depending on the website, or the period selected in the Rank Tracking, it is possible to receive the following status under the Average Position graph:
"We're still collecting data for your keywords, please check back in a few hours."
This message can be expected if all the keywords added to the project do not rank (rank above the 100th position). For example, if all the keywords in the project did not rank for the whole month of May if that period is selected, the message will display.
If some of the keywords in the project start ranking below 100th in June, and that period is selected, the average position graph will show again.