Rank tracker

What is a rank tracker?

A rank tracker (also called position tracker or SERP tracker) is a tool that automatically checks where your online store ranks in Google for specific keywords. You specify the search terms you want to monitor and the tool measures your position daily or weekly.

This gives you a historical overview of how your positions develop over time - whether they are increasing, decreasing or stable. This is essential for assessing the effectiveness of your SEO strategy.

Why use a rank tracker?

• Measure your SEO efforts: Without tracking, you don't know if your optimization efforts are working. A rank tracker provides objective data.
• Discover opportunities: Find keywords where you rank on page 2 (positions 11-20). With a little extra optimization, you may be able to move up to page 1, where the vast majority of clicks happen.
• React to drops: If an important position suddenly drops, you can quickly investigate the cause (algorithm change, competitor activity, technical error).
• Competitor monitoring: Most rank trackers let you monitor competitor positions for the same keywords.
• Reporting: Document SEO results to management, investors or business partners with concrete numbers.

Popular rank tracker tools

• Ahrefs: Complete SEO suite with rank tracking, backlink analysis and keyword research. One of the most professional tools.
• SEMrush: Broad SEO platform with position tracking, competitor analysis and content audit. Popular among agencies.
• Morningscore: Danish SEO tool with a gamification approach that makes SEO more accessible. Calculates a monetary SEO value.
• SE Ranking: Affordable alternative with daily rank tracking and great reports.
• Google Search Console: Free tool from Google that shows your average positions, clicks and impressions. Not a classic rank tracker, but provides valuable data.
• Mangools (SERPWatcher): Simple and easy-to-use rank tracking tool with good mobile data.

What should you track?

Choose keywords strategically to get the most out of your rank tracker:

• Brand keywords: Your company name and variations. You should always rank #1 for these - if not, there's a problem.
• Product keywords: Specific product names and types (e.g. "Nike Air Max 90 black").
• Category keywords: Broader terms like "running shoes", "men's jackets" or "designer furniture".
• Informational keywords: Questions and guides related to your products (e.g. "how to choose running shoes").
• Local keywords: If you have a physical store, track local variants (e.g. "running shoes Copenhagen").

Rank tracking and Google Search Console

Google Search Console (GSC) is a free alternative that shows your average position for all keywords Google associates with your site. The advantage is that it's data directly from Google. The downside is that it only shows average positions (not daily snapshots) and you can't choose specific keywords to track.

For most eCommerce stores, a combination of GSC (to discover new keywords) and a dedicated rank tracker (to monitor priority keywords) is the best approach.

Tips for rank tracking

• Be patient: SEO takes time. Don't expect daily changes, but look at trends over weeks and months.
• Track mobile and desktop separately: positions are often different on mobile and desktop. Track both.
• Remember local variation: Search results vary geographically. Set your rank tracker to track from Denmark/your primary market.
• Don't just focus on position 1: Moving from position 50 to 10 is a huge improvement, even if you're still on page 2.