If you're reading this, you're probably tired of guessing where your pages rank in Google. Maybe you want to stop relying on random rank checkers or endless spreadsheets. This is for anyone who wants a clear, no-fluff way to track search rankings—and actually do something about them—using SEMrush Position Tracking.
Let’s get into it: how to set things up, what matters (and what doesn’t), and how to actually use what you find out.
1. Set Up SEMrush Position Tracking—Don’t Overthink It
Before you can improve rankings, you need to track them. SEMrush’s Position Tracking is basically a dashboard that keeps tabs on where your keywords show up in search results—updated daily.
Here’s how to get started:
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Log in and create a Project.
In SEMrush, almost everything useful happens inside “Projects.” Go to “Projects” in the left sidebar, hit “Create Project,” and enter your site. -
Set up Position Tracking.
Find “Position Tracking” in your Project dashboard and click “Set up.” You’ll be asked: - Your domain (stick with your main one, unless you’re tracking a subdomain or specific folder)
- Target location (country, region, or even city—pick what matches your target audience)
- Device (start with desktop; add mobile if you care about mobile rankings)
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Competitors (don’t stress about this right now; you can add later)
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Add keywords.
Here’s where most people get stuck. Don’t try to track every keyword you can think of. Start with: - Your main “money” keywords (stuff you want to rank for)
- Branded keywords (your company/product name)
- A few long-tail keywords you consistently target in your content
You can always add more later. Tracking 10-50 keywords well beats tracking 500 you’ll never look at.
Pro tip:
If you have Google Search Console set up, import keywords straight from there. It saves time and gives you real-world search terms.
2. Make Sense of the Data (and Ignore the Fluff)
Once SEMrush Position Tracking is running, the dashboard will fill up with numbers and graphs. It looks impressive, but don’t let it distract you from what matters.
Focus on:
- Visibility %:
Shows how “present” your site is in the rankings for your chosen keywords. If it’s going up over time, that’s good. - Average Position:
The mean ranking of your tracked keywords. Lower is better. But don’t obsess over tiny moves. - Top 3 / Top 10 / Top 100 counts:
These tell you how many keywords are ranking in the crucial spots (top 3 and top 10 really matter).
What to ignore:
- “Estimated Traffic” numbers:
These are guesses based on search volume and your rankings. They can be wildly off, so don’t treat them as gospel. - Pixel tracking (SERP Features, etc.):
Interesting, but unless you’re gunning for featured snippets or map packs, it’s secondary.
Honest take:
Position Tracking is only as good as the keywords you put in. If you track vanity keywords you’ll never rank for, your dashboard will make you feel bad for no reason.
3. Track Changes and Spot Real Trends
Checking your rankings daily is a waste of time—rankings naturally bounce around. What you want are real, lasting movements.
Here’s how to use Position Tracking for actual insight:
- Set a weekly or bi-weekly check-in.
Ignore the daily up-and-down noise. Look for trends over 2-4 weeks. - Watch for big jumps or drops.
If a keyword moves 10+ spots up or down and stays there, investigate. Did you update a page? Did a competitor make a move? - Export your data (occasionally).
SEMrush lets you export to Excel or Google Sheets. Sometimes it’s easier to spot patterns outside the tool.
Pro tip:
Use the “Landing Pages” tab. Instead of tracking keywords, you can see how actual pages are performing across all tracked terms. This is great for figuring out which pages are pulling their weight (and which ones aren’t).
4. Use the Data to Actually Improve Rankings
Tracking is useless unless you act on what you see. Here’s what to do with your Position Tracking findings:
A. Find “Almost There” Keywords
These are keywords hovering at the bottom of page one or top of page two (positions 6-20).
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Why care?
Moving from position 10 to position 5 is usually a lot easier than going from 50 to 10—and delivers much more traffic. -
What to do:
- Update the relevant page: tighten up the content, clarify the search intent, add useful info.
- Tweak your title and meta description to be more relevant and click-worthy.
- Add internal links from other high-traffic pages.
B. Spot Losing Pages (and Fix Them)
If a page or keyword is dropping steadily, don’t panic. Check:
- Is the page still live and indexable?
- Did you lose backlinks recently?
- Did a competitor recently overhaul their own page?
Don’t jump to big changes. Sometimes rankings recover on their own.
C. Double Down on What’s Working
If you notice a page climbing steadily, ask yourself why. Did you add new content? Get a new backlink? Figure out what worked, then repeat that for other pages.
What not to do:
- Don’t go chasing every keyword that drops a spot. That way lies madness.
- Don’t try to “optimize” pages that are already ranking #1. You’ll risk making them worse.
5. Competitor Tracking: Useful, but Don’t Obsess
SEMrush lets you add up to 20 competitors for side-by-side ranking comparisons. This is handy, but don’t get sucked into a comparison spiral.
Use it to: - See which competitors are outranking you for key terms. - Spot new pages or topics your competitors are targeting. - Get ideas for new keywords you might have missed.
But ignore: - Trying to “win” every keyword. Sometimes, a competitor has a stronger page or a bigger brand. Pick your battles.
6. SERP Features: The Cherry on Top
SEMrush can show you which keywords trigger special Google features (like featured snippets, map packs, “People Also Ask,” etc.).
- If you see a featured snippet for a keyword you’re ranking high for, consider updating your page to try and win it (use concise answers, bullet points, tables).
- For local businesses, tracking map pack results can be useful.
For most sites, though, don’t get lost chasing SERP features. Focus on solid rankings first.
7. Keep It Simple and Iterate
Here’s the truth: fancy dashboards and endless keyword lists won’t improve your rankings. Consistent, focused action will.
- Start with a manageable list of keywords and pages.
- Check trends every week or two—not every day.
- Use what you learn to make real changes to your site.
- Ignore the noise and don’t let vanity metrics distract you.
Remember:
SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Position Tracking with SEMrush gives you a map, but you still have to do the running. Keep things simple, adjust as you go, and don’t get caught up in the never-ending chase for perfect rankings.
Now, get tracking—and make those tweaks that actually move the needle.