No matter what industry your business is in, it’s critical that you have some form of a website. After all, websites are one of the best ways to introduce yourself to potential customers, spread brand messages, and distinguish yourself from the competition. However, part of having a website is ensuring that people can find it because this is necessary for people to consume your content. Getting your website found, of course, is the realm of search engine optimization.
Of course, one of the biggest factors in SEO performance is the use of keywords. Even in relatively non-competitive industries, businesses need to ensure that when they pick the right keywords that their website will land on the first page of search engine results. Poorly performing keywords should be changed or improved as appropriate. And one of the more efficient ways of measuring progress is using the best rank tracker tool based on your needs. Let’s take a look at some of my favorites.
Table Of Contents
- Why Do You Need to Track Keyword Performance?
- Identify new keyword opportunities
- Monitor your competitors
- Troubleshoot traffic drops and algorithm changes
- Why Should You Use a SERP Rank Tracker Tool?
- Begin with Google
- 1. Google Search Console
- Rank Tracker Tools Included with Top Comprehensive SEO Tools
- 2. SEMrush
- 3. Ahrefs
- 4. Moz Pro Keyword Rank Checker
- Which Other Rank Tracker Tools Should You Use?
- 5. SE Ranking
- 6. SERPWatcher by Mangools
- 7. Serpstat
- 8. AccuRanker
- 9. Pro Rank Tracker
- 10. Nightwatch
- 11. Advanced Web Ranking
- 12. Authority Labs
- 13. Wincher
- 14. SEO Powersuite
- 15. RankRanger
- Best Rank Tracker Tool FAQs
Why Do You Need to Track Keyword Performance?
In short, any successful SEO strategy requires that you understand the performance of your SEO efforts. Great SEO means that your website will rank higher on the search engine results page. Over time, you want to get your website on the first page of Google for the most important keywords. Don’t believe me? People click on one of the first five organic search engine listings 67.6% of the time. However, there are other reasons to track keywords besides getting the most clicks.
Identify new keyword opportunities
Using the best rank tracker tool, you can sometimes identify new keyword opportunities. For instance, you might find that the most popular keywords for your industry are highly competitive, but that a small keyword change can make you more competitive. Perhaps switching from single to plural, swapping word order, or another minor adjustment instantly improves your competitiveness. Similarly, you might find that a keyword you didn’t think about yet is trending and worth pursuing.
Monitor your competitors
Another use for the best rank tracker tool is to see how well your competition is doing with their keywords. Or even for the keywords, you’re trying to beat them at. If you’re doing SEO right, your toolbox can do research on your competition. This is true both for the keywords used, their overall performance, and the use of paid search. Once you know what your competition is doing right, it’s easier to adjust your strategy to meet the challenge.
Troubleshoot traffic drops and algorithm changes
Finally, as most people know, Google and other search engines change their algorithms frequently. One of the biggest parts of SEO is keeping track of these algorithm changes, then responding to them for best results. Using the best rank tracker tool, you will gain better insights into which keywords are bringing you the most traffic. Likewise, it’s easier to figure out if your traffic is dropping due to your competition performing better on a keyword, or if something else can be causing it.
Further Reading: 11 SEO Best Practices to Follow in 2023
Why Should You Use a SERP Rank Tracker Tool?
Simply put, a rank tracker tool helps you automate and build reports in a more accurate, scaled, and unbiased way than you can do yourself. One reason for this, of course, is that the best rank tracker tool doesn’t have an emotional attachment to keywords. Instead, the tool simply gathers information through the processes set up by the developers. Plus, you should consider that a majority (57%) of brand managers use a second tool to re-check the rankings provided by their main tool. In other words, they consider that two sets of digital “eyes” are better than one.
Begin with Google
Just because Google is the “sheriff” that does the rankings doesn’t mean that they don’t want you to do well. In fact, competition for top search positions is beneficial to Google and its advertisers. For that reason, they’re quite willing to help with SEO strategy.
1. Google Search Console

When it comes to the best rank tracker tool, Google Search Console gives you a quick look at overall performance. Or as they put it, Search Console shows you how Google sees your website. From there, you have opportunities to improve. Cost: free.
Rank Tracker Tools Included with Top Comprehensive SEO Tools
There’s a decent chance that you already have access to the best rank tracker tool on this list, at least if you’re using these comprehensive offerings.
2. SEMrush

With SEMrush, you have access to a wide variety of tools. That’s because this service is designed for all areas of search engine and internet marketing. They even cover social media! When it comes to their rank tracking, SEMrush does three basic things. First, they track your rankings based on keywords, both for you and your competitors, every day. Second, they let you know how volatile the rankings are. And third, you can find out which websites are the most successful in your region for each keyword.
Pricing: From $120/mo, 500 KW limit
3. Ahrefs

Ahrefs is a specialty tool for SEO only, rather than working with all online media. Their best rank tracker tool gives your ranking for specific keywords, then compares it with the competition automatically. Insights are provided to help you improve. In addition, information is charted over time to help you keep track of progress.
Pricing: From $99/mo, 500 KW limit
4. Moz Pro Keyword Rank Checker

This best rank tracker tool is great because it intentionally sets out to identify the holes in your competitor’s SEO strategy. They do this by both tracking rank positions for you and the competition, and by predicting what it’ll take to get to the top. Finally, Moz has dedicated tools to track positions in over 200 countries. If you’re a multinational, check it out.
Pricing: From $99/mo, 300 KW limit, and 400,000 pages crawled monthly
Which Other Rank Tracker Tools Should You Use?
Outside of the above, many companies have emerged to fill the gap for smaller businesses or those with less extensiveSEO campaigns. For instance, if you run a blog but do little more than monetize it, then one of these might be the best rank tracker tool. After all, comprehensive marketing suites are probably much more than you need in this situation. There’s little point in paying too much money for features you’ll never use.
5. SE Ranking

According to their website, the primary focus of this service is SEO. That’s on-page, off-page, and even social media. They also track YouTube placement, making this a great tool for content creators. As far as their best rank tracker tool goes, they look at ads and maps. In addition, there’s support for both mobile and desktop rankings.
Pricing: From $31/month with 250 KW limit and 10 sites tracked.
6. SERPWatcher by Mangools

Unlike most other tools, SERPWatcher is specifically marketed as the best rank tracker tool for beginning websites. You can easily add solopreneurs/freelancers, local businesses, and bloggers to the mix here. In brief, SERPWatcher provides basic, yet comprehensive, SEO tools that are easy to use, but can grow with your site. You’ll get daily results and also locality-sensitive keyword tracking, too.
Pricing: $30/mo for 200 KW daily.
7. Serpstat

This is a suite of tools that does SEO and only SEO. However, three features stand out with their rank tracker. First, they do Google and Yandex, which is a Russian language search engine. Second, they will give you worldwide rankings in addition to local ones. And third, they take market share into account. With the last metric, they don’t mean just search engine rank. Rather, they want to know how much site traffic you’re getting in comparison to the competition.
Pricing: $59/mo for 4,000 searches a day
8. AccuRanker

With AccuRanker, you get the best rank tracker tool, and nothing else. Except, that is, for competitor analysis and other comprehensive data points related to search engine rankings. The downside: You’ll need another tool for everything else SEO. As a second set of eyes, though, this is a great tool.
Pricing: From $109/mo for 5000 KW
9. Pro Rank Tracker

According to the developers, this one has the best algorithm for rank tracking. Whatever you think of that claim, there are two major features. Unlike its competitors, Pro Rank Tracker is completely cloud-based, meaning you can access it from anywhere and don’t need to load anything on your computer. Second, the app supports major European languages, making it an attractive choice for companies with a presence in Latin America or western Europe.
Pricing: Freemium (paid starts at $13.50/mo)
10. Nightwatch

For businesses that need location-specific rankings, this is a serious contender for the best rank tracker tool. Why? Because they have the best local information. However, the benefits go beyond this. Nightwatch gives you a comprehensive view of “decaying content,” as well as your best opportunities to pursue. For instance, if a competitor is getting weaker in an area, they will tell you to move into it. The other thing that Nightwatch does is segment your results so that it’s easy to see your strengths and weaknesses.
Pricing: From $24/mo with 500 KW and 50 sites tracked.
11. Advanced Web Ranking

AWR has been around longer than most at 19 years. They also track the most search engines of anyone and operate in 170 countries. Even smaller “search engines” like Amazon Marketplace are tracked. In addition, AWR looks for the visibility of your site/product on a search engine, not just its position. This is especially good if you are an Amazon seller or run an eCommerce website. Next, the service tells you where you can improve, and where you are strongest. Finally, they’ll alert you about up-and-coming competitors so you can take action early.
Pricing: From $49/mo for 2,000 “units.”
12. Authority Labs

Authority Labs is known for one major feature: they actually provide you with relevant keywords for your brand. Most of their competitors require you to do keyword research yourself. But with Authority Labs’ provided keywords, it’s easy to identify new opportunities that may not have been found otherwise. Besides this, the developers pride themselves on their ability to be both locally and globally aware. Finally, rankings take both mobile and desktop results into account.
Pricing: From $49/mo for 250 KW and 50 domains tracked.
13. Wincher

Wincher is a contender for the best rank tracker tool for one main reason: it is powerful, yet easy to use. They start out with an important extra feature: keyword research. This is more often found in comprehensive SEM suites. Then, they give you both daily and on-demand ranking data. Finally, Wincher gives you competitor information to help inform your overall strategy. Best of all, it’s a simple tool if you don’t want a lot of extra features.
Pricing: From €24/mo for 500 KW and 10 domains tracked.
14. SEO Powersuite

The Powersuite is a set of SEO tools that primarily works with on-site SEO. However, this one is unique in that it tracks some less-common search engine results, such as Google Images. In addition, you get keyword research, competitive analysis, and historical reports that track progress over time. Finally, you can set this tool to work and then mostly forget it except when analyzing its reports.
Pricing: limited feature free. Paid from $299/yr with unlimited keywords.
15. RankRanger

RankRanger’s claim to fame is its custom features. Rather than having a pre-determined menu of ranking information, you can tell RankRanger exactly what you need and want. This saves a ton of time sifting through irrelevant information. In addition, RankRanger can use a wide variety of search engines. Finally, the tool is specially equipped to handle local SEO projects with its advanced local filtering.
Pricing: From $79/mo for 500 KW daily.
After looking at the contenders for the best rank tracker tool, one thing is clear: there are a lot of different ranking tools out there. And, there’s a wide variety both in features and pricing. In practice, this means that as a site owner you have a lot of great options to explore. It also means that almost anyone can have a fair chance at competing in the broad SEM and SEO marketplaces. Even the little guys.
The 40 Digital Marketing Tools ThatI Recommend to
All of My Clients
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
Further Reading: The 16 Best SEO Tools to Power Your Search Engine Marketing
Hero photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
Best Rank Tracker Tool FAQs
Which tool can be used to track organic rankings?
These are the following tools you can use to track organic rankings:
1. Ahrefs
2. SEMrush
3. Serpstat
4. Moz Pro
5. Goole Search Console
6. SE Ranking
Which SEO tool is most accurate?
Check out these most accurate SEO tools:
1. Google Search Console
2. Serpstat
3. SEOQuake
4. Moz Pro
5. Ahrefs
6. SEMrush
7. Screaming Frog
Is Rank Tracker free?
Yes, Rank Tracker is free, however, there is only a limit as to the functionality you can use. It is free if you will check updates of up to 10 keywords. If you exceed, there will be a charge. For instance, daily updates of 100 keywords will be a $1 charge.
What is Rank Tracker software?
Rank Tracker is an all-in-one keyword rank checker tool. It allows users to track unlimited keywords, determine their SERP position, rankings for specific locations, and overall keyword ranking performance. Out of all rank checker tools, Rank Tracker is the easiest to customize whether you want to check your position in a global or local search.
How do I find my top-ranking keywords?
Here are the steps on how you can find your top-ranking keywords using Moz Keyword Explorer:
1. Login to your Moz account to access Keyword Explorer tool
2. Type your website URL in the designated space in Keyword Explorer.
3. Choose the country you wanted to analyze.
4. Hit the “Analyze” button.
5. It will then give you the results of your Top Ranking Keywords.
6. Choose “Ranking Keywords” located on the left panel in order to check more keywords.
Actionable advice for your digital / content / influencer / social media marketing.
Join 12,000+ smart professionals who subscribe to my regular updates.
FAQs
Which is the best SEO tool for 2023? ›
- Google Analytics and Google Search Console. Level: Beginner through to advanced. ...
- Clearscope. Level: All levels. ...
- Semrush. Level: Intermediate through to advanced. ...
- Ahrefs. Level: Advanced. ...
- Moz. Level: Beginner through to intermediate. ...
- Surfer SEO. Level: All levels. ...
- SE Ranking. Level: All levels. ...
- WooRank.
- Semrush. First up, the Semrush Position Tracking tool uses a sophisticated data collection process to show your overall rankings and their distributions, keyword cannibalization, competitors, featured snippets, and more. ...
- Moz Pro. ...
- Ahrefs. ...
- MonsterInsights. ...
- SE Ranking. ...
- SERPWatcher. ...
- Nightwatch.
- Ahrefs: SEO Keyword Tool.
- Google Search Console: Top SEO Tool.
- SEMRush: Marketing SEO Tools.
- KWFinder: SEO Keyword Tool.
- Moz Pro: SEO Software.
- Ubersuggest: Keyword Tracking Tool.
- Answer The Public: Free SEO Tools.
- SpyFu: Free SEO Tools.
Rank Tracker is the most powerful tracking software suitable for all types of professional SEO tasks. You can track ranks without any keyword limits, check positions in desktop and mobile SERPs, optimize for local search, do keyword research, analyze competitors' keywords and traffic — all in one ranking tool.
What are the new SEO updates 2023? ›SEO trends in 2023 will see more users performing voice searches. Google's top goal is to answer a user's query quickly and accurately. Google created its LaMDA, an AI language system to help the search engine understand natural, conversational dialogue better.
Which is best free SEO tool? ›- Google Analytics. Screenshot by author, May 2022. ...
- Data Studio. Google Data Studio lets you merge data from varying sources, such as Google Search Console and Google Analytics, and create sharable visualizations. ...
- Keyword Hero. Missing keyword data? ...
- Mozcast. ...
- Panguin Tool.
Wincher is one of the most affordable rank tracking software available today. But don't let its pricing fool you. It's packed with features that lets you monitor your keywords just as efficiently as other tools. It has a clean interface that lets you monitor your progress.
How do you create a rank tracker? ›- Step 1: Select your target search engines. ...
- Step 2: Specify your target location. ...
- Step 3: Decide on your landing pages. ...
- Step 4: Set up SERP history tracking. ...
- Step 5: Add competitors' sites. ...
- Step 6: Set up the preferences. ...
- Step 7: Check the rankings.
Ranktracker does that very well. It is intuitive to use without too much of a learning curve, yet gets the work done. Ranktracker is easy to use, no steep learning curve and very easy to setup. It gives a detailed overview of the status of your keyword ranking.
Which is the best free SEO tool for beginners? ›...
Here's my list of the best SEO tools for beginners:
- Pagespeed Insights.
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider.
- Proranktracker.
- SEMrush.
- Answer The Public.
- Google Analytics.
- Clicky Web Analytics.
- Majestic.
What is the best SEO for a website? ›
- Search Engine Land. Search Engine Land provides insights into Google and other search engine updates and explains industry trends. ...
- Moz. ...
- Content Marketing Institute. ...
- Backlinko. ...
- Ahrefs. ...
- SEMrush. ...
- Bullseye. ...
- Search Engine Journal.
These 10 results are preferred because they are well written and thoroughly optimized using SEO. There are about 12 different types of SEO that help websites to rank better on search engine result pages.
How do I find the best keywords for SEO? ›- Use Google Keyword Planner to cut down your keyword list. ...
- Step 2: Prioritize low-hanging fruit. ...
- Step 3: Check the monthly search volume (MSV) for keywords you've chosen. ...
- Step 4: Factor in SERP features as you choose keywords. ...
- Step 5: Check for a mix of head terms and long-tail keywords in each bucket.
Rank Tracker allows you to keep a check on the number of keywords that you can track. You can see the total number of keywords used, the number of keywords remaining, and the number of keywords allowed at the bottom of the Keyword Manager.
How can I improve my website SEO? ›- Publish Relevant, Authoritative Content. ...
- Update Your Content Regularly. ...
- Metadata. ...
- Have a link-worthy site. ...
- Use alt tags.
- Ukraine.
- Queen Elizabeth passing.
- Election results.
- Powerball numbers.
- Monkeypox.
- Hurricane Ian.
- Johnny Depp verdict.
- Texas school shooting.
Yes, SEO is still relevant in 2023, and it will be for the foreseeable future. That's because SEO is what helps search engines crawl and categorize your website so that it can better rank web pages when users type in a search query. Search engines like Google aim to help users find answers to their questions.
Does Google have free SEO tools? ›Google's SEO tools are a great place to start.
Since the search engine currently accounts for 70% of all searches, their SEO tools harness the most accurate and comprehensive source of data. The best part of using these tools is that they're absolutely free and generally unlimited.
If you've wondered, “Can I do SEO myself?” the answer is definitely. You don't need to hire an outside agency to improve your SEO, and this guide gives you some basic SEO tips to get started.
Can I do SEO without paying? ›SEO can be built to have a strong foundation and then maintained for a relatively low-cost in comparison with PPC or Google Ads. If you want to rank higher in Google without paying - with money - you'll always end up paying in time. You'll have to learn these methods of ranking which can take years to achieve.
Is Serpstat free? ›
Start using Serpstat, it's free!
What is a tracker tool? ›A website tracking tool will track, measure, and report on website activity and visitor behavior including traffic, user clicks, and performance (e.g. conversion rate). Tracking tools show you what's happening on your website so you can learn what is (and isn't) working and optimize for improved UX and business goals.
What is tool tracking system? ›What is a Tool Tracking System? A tool tracking system is a cloud based software application that helps businesses manage and keep track of their tools, equipment and other high value assets. This can include inventory management, preventive maintenance, and scheduling.
What is SEO keywords? ›Your SEO keywords are the keywords and phrases in your web content that make it possible for people to find your site via search engines. A website that is well optimized for search engines “speaks the same language” as its potential visitor base with keywords for SEO that help connect searchers to your site.
What is SEO and how it works? ›Search engine optimization (SEO) is the art and science of getting pages to rank higher in search engines such as Google. Because search is one of the main ways in which people discover content online, ranking higher in search engines can lead to an increase in traffic to a website.
How do I rank my content? ›- Find niche topics (and relevant keywords)
- Utilize Keywords.
- Create Buyer Personas.
- Publish long content.
- Increase page loading speed.
- Optimize images.
- Increase dwell time.
- Reduce Bounce rate.
Having a tracking device installed in your car is one of the most reliable and efficient ways of protecting it from crime. Although they can be quite expensive, these devices will lower your insurance premiums and could save you a huge amount of hassle, in the long run, if your vehicle is stolen.
How accurate is tracker? ›Ultimately, most GPS tracking devices are accurate to within three meters, allowing users to have fairly accurate location information. While operating in low-accuracy areas can negatively affect your results, GPS tracking technology has evolved to ensure stronger signals and greater accuracy.
What is a good rank? ›If you want to attend a more competitive college, you should aim to have a class rank that puts you in the top 25% of your class, or the 75th or higher percentile.
How can I start SEO as a beginner? ›- Step 1: Find keywords.
- Step 2: Put keywords in the page title.
- Step 3: Put keywords in the page URL.
- Step 4: Put keywords in your meta description.
- Step 5: Put keywords in your H1 text.
- Step 6: Use keywords in the page's content.
- Step 7: Build links to your website.
- Step 8: Monitor your rank.
Can I do SEO without website? ›
But you actually don't need to have a website in order to practice SEO for your business. One of the best ways you can do SEO without a website is through a Google My Business (GMB) listing. A GMB listing is an online business listing that ranks locally on Google.
How can I improve my SEO without a website? ›- Target online platforms. Building a website, writing blogs, and getting them ranked is a long process. ...
- Offline is now online. The world in 2022 is online. ...
- Get visibility. ...
- Use social media. ...
- Share business info.
- On-page SEO. Our Beginners Guide to SEO outlines the basics of search engine optimization, and on-page SEO is one of the easiest and most common ways to boost site visibility. ...
- Off-page SEO. ...
- Local SEO. ...
- Technical SEO.
- Structured data matters. ...
- Page freshness. ...
- Internal linking (still matters) ...
- Title tags. ...
- Obtain backlinks.
Contents: Perform keyword research. Choose the right domain name. Select a web platform.
What are 3 main areas of SEO? ›- On-page SEO – Anything on your web pages – Blogs, product copy, web copy.
- Off-page SEO – Anything which happens away from your website that helps with your SEO Strategy- Backlinks.
- Technical SEO – Anything technical undertaken to improve Search Rankings – site indexing to help bot crawling.
Keyword ranking tool
Our Simple SEO's software uses multiple algorithms to analyze and evaluate your website for the keywords you specify and creates a customized set of actions that will help improve your website's rankings in Google and other popular search engines.
There are 4 types of keywords: short-tail, long-tail, questions, and intent targeting keywords.
How do I find SEO keywords for free? ›- Moz Keyword Explorer for the best all-around free SEO keyword research tool.
- Google Keyword Planner for researching paid keywords.
- Semrush for advanced SEO professionals.
- QuestionDB for finding question-based keywords.
- Jaaxy for affiliate marketers.
There is no surefire way to get a #1 ranking on Google. However, targeting the right keywords and audience can significantly increase your chances. Follow that up by creating and promoting tons of well-optimized content, and you're good to go!
How can I rank #1 on Google? ›
- Determine your keywords. First, determine which search queries you want Google to answer with your website pages. ...
- Tell Google what keywords you're using. ...
- Write for humans. ...
- Emphasize location. ...
- Optimize for mobile. ...
- Focus on user experience.
According to seo.co, it can take anywhere from three to six months to rank on the first page of Google, assuming that you're writing good content and optimizing your website for search engines. If there's high competition or you haven't optimized your website, it may take six to 12 months to see results.
Will SEO exist in 5 years? ›Yes, SEO will exist for the foreseeable future. Businesses rely on SEO to ensure their content appears in SERPs, even as algorithms and features adapt to users' needs. This won't change within the next handful of years.
Will SEO exist in 10 years? ›One thing is sure, however: SEO will be around for a long time. As long as search engines exist and internet users continue to use keywords and phrases to find what they're looking for, the search engine business will continue.
What is replacing SEO? ›Answer Engine Optimization to Replace Search Engine Optimization.
Is there a future for SEO? ›AI will completely change SEO as we know it. From optimization to link building, it will significantly impact every aspect of SEO. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more sophisticated, search engine optimization will have to adapt.
Will SEO be replaced by AI? ›AI may change the way SEO is done, but it is unlikely to replace the entire profession. While AI can automate certain aspects of SEO, such as keyword analysis and technical site audits, it still requires human expertise and creativity to develop and implement effective strategies.
Is SEO going to end? ›No. SEO is not dead in 2023. SEO is still a very powerful digital marketing strategy. SEO will continue to change as Google updates its algorithm but that is to be expected.
How does SEO make money? ›Start a blog and monetize through ads and affiliates. So, how long does it take to make money from SEO? If you have a well-established blog with a good amount of traffic, then you can make money with SEO fairly soon by creating sponsored content and posting banner ads on your blog.
How long does it take to complete SEO? ›The short answer is between 4-12 months. The longer answer has to do with all those factors we discussed that tie into your SEO strategy. If you target low-competition keywords, you can start to see results within 4-6 months.
How long does it take to become good at SEO? ›
It takes most people one to three months to learn SEO tools and techniques and six months to a year to perfect them through practice. Of course, this depends on several factors like how much time you can devote to studying, how quickly you pick up new information, and whether or not you can take a class.
Which SEO should be avoided? ›Don't over-prioritize keywords
Keyword research has long been considered a cornerstone of SEO. Creating content that features the keywords and terms your target audience are searching for seems like the most logical approach. However, using these keywords to excess will seriously harm your SEO strategy.
Most professionals expect to see results in as low as 2 months, but SEO can take as much as 12 months to work. While every company's SEO strategy differs, most businesses can expect to see considerable results in 6 to 12 months.
Is SEO high paying? ›At the median, an SEO Specialist earns $49,000 a year, with SEO Managers' median salaries sitting significantly higher, at around $63,000. At the high end are SEO Directors—who typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000—and SEO Team Managers and Campaign Managers, in the $50,000 to $100,000 range.
Is hiring SEO worth it? ›While investing in SEO services isn't cheap, it can be a worthwhile investment if you want to generate more traffic to your site and raise conversions. If you're interested in hiring an SEO consultant, make sure you have the budget to do so.