How to Track Your Keyword Rankings Over Time

Wondering how to keep tabs on your keywords' performance? Here’s a simple guide to tracking your keyword rankings effectively.

Understanding Keyword Rankings

Keyword rankings show where specific keywords appear in search engine results. Tracking these changes is crucial for improving your SEO strategy.

Using Google Search Console (GSC)

GSC is a free tool provided by Google that tracks keyword rankings and provides insights into page performance. It’s essential to set up alerts for important keywords.

• Log in to GSC and navigate to the 'Search Analytics' section.
• Select your site, then choose 'Keyword Planner'.
• Under 'Keyword Rankings', select a time range to view keyword rankings at different points in time.

Utilizing Google Trends

Google Trends offers historical data on search volume for keywords, which can help you gauge if your SEO efforts are gaining traction. Note that this tool doesn’t provide direct ranking information but gives context to keyword performance.

• Navigate to Google Trends and enter your keywords in the search bar.
• Select a time period to view historical trends for your chosen keywords.

Leveraging Webmaster Tools

In addition to GSC, Google’s Webmaster Tools also offer valuable insights into keyword rankings and page performance. You can use these tools to identify which pages are ranking well for your target keywords.

• Sign in to Google Search Console.
• Navigate to the 'Search Analytics' section and select 'Keyword Planner'. Here, you can analyze rankings for specific keywords over time.

Analyzing Backlinks Data

Backlink analysis tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush show how backlinks contribute to your site’s ranking. Tracking changes in these metrics helps you understand if external links are affecting your keyword rankings positively or negatively.

• Navigate to Ahrefs or similar tool's 'Backlinks' section.
• Select keywords of interest and filter by date range for a comprehensive view of backlink activity.

Creating Custom Reports

To stay ahead, consider creating custom reports that combine data from multiple sources. This holistic approach can provide deeper insights into your keyword rankings over time and help you refine your SEO strategy accordingly.

• Use tools like GSC, Google Trends, Webmaster Tools, and backlink analysis to gather all relevant data.
• Create a custom report in these tools that consolidates information on keyword rankings, search volume, backlinks, etc., for specific periods.