If you’re serious about SEO, you need to track your keyword rankings. That’s where the SEMrush Position Tracking tool comes in. It’s one of the most powerful features in the SEMrush suite. Whether you’re an SEO beginner or a seasoned marketer, this tool can help you monitor your progress and stay ahead of the competition.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use the SEMrush Position Tracking tool like a pro. We’ll cover setup, features, tips, and best practices. Let’s dive in.
What Is the SEMrush Position Tracking Tool?
The Position Tracking tool in SEMrush allows you to monitor your website’s keyword rankings. It tracks your site’s visibility in Google’s search results. You can see how your keywords perform daily across desktop, mobile, and even local search results.
Here’s what you can do with it:
- Track keyword rankings over time
- Monitor competitors’ rankings
- Analyze SERP features like featured snippets
- Track local and mobile rankings
- Get automated reports
This tool is essential for measuring the success of your SEO campaigns.
Track Smarter, Rank Higher!
Learn how to use SEMrush Position Tracking like a pro and dominate your SEO game.
Setting Up the Position Tracking Tool
Setting up the Position Tracking tool is easy. Follow these steps:
1. Create a Project
First, log in to your SEMrush account. Go to the “Projects” section and click “Create Project.” Enter your domain name and project name. Click “Create Project.”
2. Configure Tracking Settings
Once your project is created, click on “Set up” under the Position Tracking section. You’ll need to configure a few things:
- Domain: Choose the domain or subdomain you want to track.
- Location: Select the country, region, or city. This is useful for local SEO.
- Device: Choose between desktop or mobile tracking.
- Search Engine: Pick the search engine (usually Google).
3. Add Keywords
Now, add the keywords you want to track. You can:
- Enter them manually
- Import from a file
- Pull from your SEMrush keyword list
- Use Google Analytics or Google Search Console data
Start with your most important keywords. You can always add more later.
4. Add Competitors
You can track up to 20 competitors. SEMrush will suggest some based on your domain. You can also add them manually. This helps you see how your rankings compare to others in your niche.
Understanding the Dashboard
Once your campaign is set up, the dashboard becomes your control center. Here’s what you’ll see:
Visibility Score
This is a percentage that shows how visible your site is for the tracked keywords. A higher score means better visibility.
Estimated Traffic
This shows how much traffic your keywords are bringing in. It’s based on keyword volume and your ranking position.
Average Position
This is the average ranking of all your tracked keywords. It helps you see overall performance.
SERP Features
You’ll see which SERP features (like featured snippets, site links, or People Also Ask) your site appears in. This is great for optimizing your content for rich results.
Positive and Negative Impact
This section shows which keywords have improved or dropped in rankings. It’s a quick way to spot changes.
Tracking Competitors
One of the best features of SEMrush Position Tracking is competitor analysis. You can see:
- Which keywords your competitors rank for
- Their visibility score
- How their rankings change over time
This helps you identify gaps and opportunities. If a competitor is ranking for a keyword you’re not, you can create content to target it.
Local and Mobile Tracking
Local SEO is crucial for businesses with physical locations. SEMrush lets you track rankings in specific cities or regions. You can even track Google Maps (local pack) results.
Mobile tracking is also important. More people search on mobile devices than ever before. SEMrush lets you compare desktop vs. mobile rankings. This helps you optimize for both.
Using Tags and Groups
If you’re tracking many keywords, use tags. Tags help you organize keywords by topic, intent, or funnel stage. For example:
- “Blog posts”
- “Product pages”
- “Branded keywords”
- “Transactional keywords”
You can filter your reports by tags. This makes it easier to analyze performance by category.
Analyzing Trends Over Time
The Position Tracking tool shows historical data. You can view rankings over days, weeks, or months. This helps you:
- Spot trends
- Measure the impact of SEO changes
- Identify seasonal patterns
Use the “Overview” and “Landscape” tabs to see graphs and charts. These visuals make it easy to understand your progress.
Exporting and Sharing Reports
Need to share results with your team or clients? SEMrush makes it simple. You can:
- Export data as PDF, Excel, or CSV
- Schedule automated email reports
- Customize reports with your branding
This saves time and keeps everyone informed.
Integrating with Google Tools
You can connect your Google Analytics and Google Search Console accounts. This gives you more data and insights. You’ll see:
- Actual traffic numbers
- Click-through rates
- Impressions
This helps you understand not just rankings, but real-world performance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even pros make mistakes. Here are some to watch out for:
- Tracking too many keywords: Focus on high-value keywords first.
- Ignoring local settings: Always set the correct location.
- Not updating keywords: SEO changes. Update your list regularly.
- Forgetting mobile tracking: Mobile-first indexing makes this essential.
- Not checking SERP features: These can steal clicks even if you rank #1.
Avoiding these mistakes will help you get the most from the tool.
Ready to Outrank Your Competitors?
Learn SEMrush Position Tracking tricks to monitor, analyze, and outperform your rivals.
Pro Tips for Power Users
Want to take your tracking to the next level? Try these expert tips:
- Use Cannibalization Report: See if multiple pages compete for the same keyword.
- Track Featured Snippets: Optimize content to win these spots.
- Monitor Competitor Movements: Set alerts for major ranking changes.
- Use Notes Feature: Add notes when you make SEO changes. This helps track what works.
- Compare Tags: See which keyword groups perform best.
These tips can give you a competitive edge.
When to Check Your Rankings
Daily tracking is available, but you don’t need to check every day. Here’s a good schedule:
- Weekly: Review overall performance
- Monthly: Deep dive into trends and reports
- After major updates: Check rankings after Google algorithm changes
Consistency is key. Don’t panic over daily fluctuations. Focus on long-term trends.
A/B Testing with Position Tracking
You can use the tool to test SEO changes. For example:
- Update a title tag
- Add internal links
- Improve content quality
Track the keyword before and after the change. See if your rankings improve. This helps you make data-driven decisions.
Who Should Use This Tool?
The Position Tracking tool is perfect for:
- SEO professionals
- Digital marketing agencies
- E-commerce businesses
- Local businesses
- Bloggers and content creators
If you care about search visibility, this tool is for you.
Final Thoughts
The SEMrush Position Tracking tool is a must-have for any SEO strategy. It gives you real-time insights into your keyword rankings. You can track competitors, monitor local and mobile results, and optimize for SERP features.
By using this tool like a pro, you’ll stay ahead of the competition. You’ll know what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your efforts.
Start small. Track your top 10–20 keywords. Set up your location and device preferences. Add your competitors. Then, check your dashboard weekly. Use the insights to guide your SEO strategy.
With consistent use, the Position Tracking tool will become your SEO compass. It will help you navigate the ever-changing world of search.
So go ahead—log in to SEMrush and start tracking like a pro today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the SEMrush Position Tracking tool?
The SEMrush Position Tracking tool monitors your website’s keyword rankings across search engines, devices, and locations. It helps you track performance, visibility, and competitors.
How do I set up the Position Tracking tool in SEMrush?
To set it up, create a project, choose your domain, set location and device preferences, add keywords, and include competitors for comparison.
Can I track local and mobile rankings with SEMrush?
Yes, SEMrush allows you to track keyword rankings by specific cities or regions and compare desktop vs. mobile performance.
How often should I check my keyword rankings?
Weekly reviews are ideal for tracking trends. You should also check after major SEO changes or Google algorithm updates.
What are SERP features in SEMrush Position Tracking?
SERP features include elements like featured snippets, site links, and People Also Ask boxes. SEMrush shows which features your site appears in.
Can I track my competitors’ keyword rankings?
Absolutely. You can add up to 20 competitors and monitor their visibility, keyword positions, and ranking changes.
Is it possible to export SEMrush Position Tracking reports?
Yes, you can export reports in PDF, Excel, or CSV formats and schedule automated email updates for your team or clients.








