Keyword tracking, research and SERP positions

The Keywords page has three tabs: Search Console shows the real search queries your site gets, Tracking shows the daily Google position of keywords you choose, and Research finds new keyword ideas. Tracking and research work per site, so pick a site in the site selector at the top.

#Prerequisites

• The Search Console tab needs the site's Search Console property connected: Connect Google Search Console.
• Tracking and Research use DataForSEO data. Connect your DataForSEO account with its API login and password on the Integrations page: Connect DataForSEO. Usage is billed per call to your own DataForSEO balance.
• You need edit rights to add keywords or start checks.

#Review Search Console queries

1. Open Keywords. The Search Console tab opens by default.
2. Pick one site, or choose All sites to see them together.
3. The table lists the top 500 queries by clicks for the selected date range, with Pos., Change (against the previous period), Clicks, Impressions and CTR. Click a column header to sort, and download the list as CSV.

#Add keywords to tracking

1. Switch to the Tracking tab and pick the site.
2. In the Add keywords card, enter one keyword per line or paste a comma-separated list.
3. Optionally add tags such as brand, blog. They apply to every keyword you add.
4. Click Track. The keywords join the daily SERP check.
5. Don't want to wait for the first results? Click Check now. The check is queued and the table updates when it's done.
6. For keywords missing search volume or KD, click Fill volume/KD.

Rank checks run for the site's location, language and device. To change them, open the site on the Sites page and use the SERP tracking section on the General tab.

#Read the tracking table

• The cards at the top show tracked keywords, average position, Top 3, Top 10 and AI Overview · present / cited.
• The Position trend chart covers the last 30 days. It needs at least two daily checks to draw a line.
• The table has Pos., the 7 days change, Best position, the ranking URL, Volume, CPC, KD, Intent, SERP features and AIO. “not in top 100” means the keyword didn't show up in the first 100 results.
• In the AIO column, present means an AI Overview shows for the query but doesn't cite your site; cited means the AI Overview cites your site.
• The Top-10 snapshot button on a row opens the first 10 organic results from the last check, with your site marked you.
• Turning off the Track switch removes the keyword from the daily check but keeps its position history. The trash icon (Delete the keyword and its ranking history) asks for confirmation, then deletes the keyword and its history for good.

#Research new keywords

1. Switch to the Research tab.
2. Type a Seed keyword. For Ideas you can enter up to 5 comma-separated seeds.
3. Click Ideas (up to 200 related keywords) or Long tail (up to 150 suggestions containing the seed). Each run is 1 DataForSEO Labs call.
4. Review volume, the 12-month trend, CPC, KD, intent and competition. The Clusters view groups keywords by their first two words.
5. Select the rows you want and click Track selected. They're added to tracking with their metrics.

Results are stored. Come back to the same seed and Previous runs opens the last result without another charge. For keywords your competitors rank for and you don't, check the content gap on Competitors.

#Verify

• On the Tracking tab, each keyword shows a “checked …” date.
• The Position trend chart starts drawing after the next day's check.
• If you see “SERP checks need DataForSEO”, check your DataForSEO connection: DataForSEO account not verified.

#FAQ

#When does the daily check run?

Once a day at 05:30 UTC for every site with tracked keywords. You can start one any time with Check now.

#Why does my Search Console position differ from the tracked position?

Search Console reports the average over every impression in the period. Tracking is a single daily check for one location, language and device.

#Does turning off tracking delete my data?

No. It only stops the daily check, and the position history stays. History is removed only when you delete the keyword.

#Why does the Research tab say “DataForSEO is not connected”?

Keyword research runs entirely on DataForSEO data. Connect your account on the Integrations page and the tab opens up.