While ranking within the first few spots or search results on Google is the most desirable position to have, most of the time, getting there takes a lot of research, search engine optimization tools, and expertise.
Generally speaking, ranking in the first few positions on Google search results doesn’t happen overnight, nor does this happen without a thorough SEO strategy.
While having an SEO strategy or digital marketing plan is the key to your website’s overall success, being able to conduct keyword research and ranking higher than your competitors are among the main priorities for SEO experts and professionals.
Simply compiling a list of the best keywords available to your niche and adding it to your content isn’t make a significant difference. From link building to generating organic traffic, there are a lot of elements that go into improving your search engine ranking, and it all starts with basic keyword research.
How To Check Keyword Rankings in SERPs
SERP or Search Engine Results Page is the very first results page that comes up after you’ve entered a certain query or term in the Google search bar. Those websites that rank higher and are generally within the first five spots of the SERP page use high-ranking organic keywords.
Along with this, to have a better SERP ranking, you can include paid advertising, such as Google Ads, or make use of pay-per-click (PPC) content. This is a way people can boost the popularity and searchability of their website without having to endure the tedious process of generating new organic traffic or using high-ranking keywords.
While it may be a difficult concept to understand initially, using organic keywords that usually already have a high click-through rate can mean that the Google algorithm picks it up a lot easier, and perhaps pushes your website to the top of the search results.
Here’s a look at some ways you can check your keyword ranking in SERPs before undertaking the mammoth task of getting your website off the ground.
1. Manually Check Search Engine Rankings
Open Up a Private Browser
The best and most frequently used way is to search for a specific keyword and keyword rankings using a private browser or search tab. These are also known as incognito tabs or searches and will display search results you haven’t encountered.
To open a private search tab, you can do the following:
Windows, Linux, and Chrome Users
- Open Google
- At the far top right of the screen, click ⠇symbol
- Select New Incognito Window
Additionally, you can simply press Ctrl + Shift + N, which will automatically open an incognito tab.
MacOS Users
Press ⌘ + Shift + n
Search for Your Target Keyword
Now that you have opened a private browsing tab, you can thoroughly research specific keywords you have pre-selected. What you can look for are the specific terms that come up when you search your desired keyword.
Google search results will generally cluster similar keywords or terms together, which helps to provide more information on what you’re looking for. You can now also see which websites or pages rank higher with the specific keywords.
2. Use Google Search Console to Check Rankings for Search Terms
Another tool a lot of experts and professionals make use of is Google Search Console, also known as Search Console. With this tool, you can research how popular your desired keywords are, and how many clicks they receive or organic clicks, and it helps you determine whether these keywords will add value to the overall website and the content.
1. Setting Up Google Search Console (GSC)
First, you will need to set up a GSC property. You can do this by simply searching for Google Search Console on your web browser. Then, sign in to GSC using your Gmail.
2. Go to the Performance Report
After you’ve followed the on-screen prompts by adding your website URL and verifying it with your host domain, you’ll be able to open a performance report.
3. Check the Top Queries for Your Website
Select the top queries for your website. These will include general questions that are associated with your website, i.e., what did people search for in Google, and why did your webpage end up on the search results?
4. Find Where Your Website Ranks On Google
Now you can configure the report to see the various keywords that you have used, or not used. Additionally, you’ll be able to see where you are ranked on Google. The lower you’re ranked, you will notice higher impressions and less clicks which in turn leads a lower CTR (Click/Impressions).
5. Find the Queries for Each URL
Another great feature of Search Console is that it allows you to check each webpage individually and how well they have been performing in the Google search results.
6. Filter Queries for a Specific Keyword
By filtering by queries, you will be presented a report of the actual searches the searches are typing into Google. This report could be used to look at potential keywords that you aren’t targeting in your content.
A good way to optimize your content is by finding keywords that aren’t found on your page, but you are somehow being served for that query by Google. Chacne are if you implement that query within your page, it will get a ranking boost.
How to Check Keyword Rankings in Google Analytics
- Connect your Search Console with the analytics tools before checking your keyword rankings in Google Analytics.
- From here, you’ll be able to open a left-side screen tab, select Acquisition, and then select Search Console. From there on, select queries.
- A report will show up on your screen that will indicate average clicks on your website, how people managed to track down your website, an,d most importantly, the keywords used.
- Now select the keywords on the report you would like to track, this will help you see which keywords are performing better than others and whether any competitors are using these keywords.
Use Paid Third-party Tools to Check Search Engine Rankings
Other than Google rankings and the free analytics tools they have, you can also make use of third-party SEO tools such as the following:
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the most popular link-building and keyword rank checker platforms available and is widely used by professionals around the world. The tool helps you compile popular terms and keywords, and helps you search for possible competitors.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a powerful digital tool that allows insight into market analysis and research that makes use of SEO-powered capabilities.
Moz
Moz is a bit different but offers the same SEO-powered tools. The platform can help increase website traffic through dynamic tools and market research. Additionally, Moz looks at Google keyword ranking and search traffic to give you a detailed analysis of where you might need to improve.
FAQs
What Do You Need to Do to Rank Higher On Google?
For starters, have a well-detailed SEO strategy that incorporates both digital elements and elements of the business. Make use of SEO-powered tools and analytics to help build an organic keyword list.
Include organic keywords in your website content, headings, and URLs if possible. Additionally, you should research how Google algorithms work and rank websites based on the quality of content they publish.
How Long Does It Take to Index Your Page on Google?
Depending on how strong your SEO strategy might be and the type of keywords you have used, it can take several days or a couple of weeks before your website can be ranked. In SEO, we use the word “it depends” since there are a lot of moving parts to get an accurate answer for this question.
Final Thoughts
The overall exercise of ranking your website higher on Google search results is no easy feat, and that’s why experts and SEO professionals conduct thorough research before implementing the desired strategy.
It’s advised that if you’re not sure how to check keyword ranking or search engine results pages, you can consult with a digital PR and marketing firm to help improve your Google ranking.
Working on keyword research and ranking analytics will help provide better insight into where your website might have any pitfalls and where the best place can be to improve.
