Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

How to access: Keyword Rank Tracker is a standalone module in your Search Atlas dashboard. Access it directly from the main sidebar navigation. It is not located inside GSC Performance — GSC Performance is a separate module that surfaces data from your connected Google Search Console account.

The Keyword Rank Tracker (KRT) tool in Search Atlas helps you monitor your website's visibility and keyword positions across multiple devices and locations — all from within your Search Atlas dashboard.

It does not require any code or setup on your website. KRT actively tracks keyword rankings using its own rank-checking engine, independently scanning search results to show keyword fluctuations, trends, and position history. This is separate from the GSC Performance module, which surfaces data pulled directly from Google Search Console. The two data sources are distinct: KRT reflects Search Atlas's own crawl-based measurements, while GSC Performance reflects what Google reports in your Search Console account.

👣Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Setting Up Keyword Tracking

All configuration is done inside your Search Atlas > GSC Performance > Keywords workspace.

  1. Enter your Domain in the Keywords → Rank Tracker (Keyword Rank Tracker) input.
  2. Select a Location → choose city, state, or country. You can also combine multiple geo-targets (location_ids) for a more representative aggregated search volume figure across regions — select additional locations in the location picker where this option is available in your UI.
  3. Choose Tracking Frequency → select from the options available in your dashboard (typically daily, weekly, or monthly). Available frequencies may depend on your subscription plan, so confirm the exact options in your account.
  4. Add your Target Keywords to begin monitoring.

💡 Tip: You can create multiple projects targeting the same location — for example, one per subdomain, product line, or campaign — to keep keyword sets organised for localized SEO visibility. Check your plan for the maximum number of projects allowed.

⚠️ Known issue: If the Google Business Profile (GBP/CID) location dropdown shows No Data during project setup, this may indicate a temporary search failure that is currently being silently swallowed. Refresh the page and try again, or contact support if the issue persists.

2️⃣ Reviewing Keyword Performance

Once tracking is active, the KRT dashboard displays insights under GSC Performance > Keywords > Keyword Movements tabs.

Metrics shown include:

  • Keyword → The tracked keyword.
  • Starting Position → Ranking when tracking started.
  • Previous Position → The keyword's ranking from the prior tracking period, enabling period-over-period comparison.
  • Current Position → Updated position from latest crawl.
  • Historical Chart → Position trend over time.
  • SERP Features → Highlights linked Google elements (e.g., snippets, map pack).
  • Search Volume (SV) → Average monthly searches (12-month avg).
  • CPC (Cost Per Click) → Average cost-per-click for the keyword, useful for prioritising commercial-intent terms.
  • Location → The region selected in the dashboard.
  • Last Update → Date of the most recent ranking refresh.

3️⃣ Mobile & Desktop Rank Tracking

Manage this inside the KRT dashboard, not your website.

New Keywords

  • Choose to track Desktop, Mobile, or both.

Existing Keywords

  1. Locate the keyword under Tracked Keywords.
  2. Click Add Mobile Tracking.
  3. Confirm and save your settings.

4️⃣ Competitor Tracking by Search Visibility

Track competitor data directly within Search Atlas > Keywords > Competitor Visibility:

Metric

Description

URL

Competitor's website.

Position

Current competitor keyword rank.

Keywords in Top 10

Count of keywords ranking top 10.

Search Visibility

Competitor's visibility score.

5️⃣ Importing Keywords from a CSV File

  1. Use the provided template file: updated_keyword_data.csv.
  2. Go to Keyword View within your project in Search Atlas.
  3. Upload under Import CSV File.

⚙️ This step imports keyword lists into the dashboard, not your site CMS.

6️⃣ Exporting & Sharing Results

  1. Export results to a .csv file for offline review.
  2. Share Search Atlas dashboard links with teammates for collaborative analysis.

🔐 Shared links grant view-only access to KRT data — no risk to your website or integrations.

7️⃣ Keyword Quota & Usage

You can monitor your current keyword quota and usage from within the KRT dashboard — check the keyword counter shown alongside your project list or in your account/billing area to see how many tracked keywords you are currently consuming against your plan limit.

⚠️ If your quota appears higher than expected, contact support — usage counters can occasionally fall out of sync and our team can run a recalculation. Do not delete and re-add keywords as a workaround, as this may not resolve the underlying count.

💡Example Setup

  • Location: Miami, FL
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Device: Desktop + Mobile
  • Keywords: "SEO agency Miami," "local SEO service"
  • Output: CSV report every Friday at 10:00 AM

❓ FAQs

❓ How does the Keyword Rank Tracker help improve my SEO strategy?

💡 It monitors keyword positions, traffic, and visibility—enabling data-driven optimization decisions.

❓ What kind of data does the tool track?

⚡ It tracks starting position, previous position, current position, historical changes, SERP features, search volume, CPC, and visibility.

❓ Can I track rankings for specific locations?

✅ Yes, you can track rankings at the city, state, or country level, and combine multiple geo-targets for aggregated search volume insights.

❓ How often can I update rankings?

💡 The tool supports the tracking frequencies available on your plan (typically daily, weekly, or monthly). Confirm the exact options in your dashboard.

❓ What historical data is provided?

⚡ A chart that shows keyword position changes over time.

❓ How does the tool support competitive analysis?

✅ It tracks competitor positions, top 10 keyword counts, and visibility metrics.

❓ Can I see which URLs are ranking for my keywords?

💡 Yes, the tool displays the exact URLs ranking for your keywords.

❓ How can I track competitors' keyword performance?

⚡ By monitoring competitor rankings, top keywords, and visibility scores.

Closing Note

✅ The Keyword Rank Tracker ensures you have full visibility into your SEO performance, from keyword fluctuations to competitor insights. Use it to refine your strategies, improve your rankings, and gain a competitive edge. For additional support, our team is here to help.