Rank tracking and Search Console
Where RankGrep's ranking numbers come from, why they differ from what you see when you search, and how to read them.
On this page
RankGrep shows two kinds of position for a search term, and they answer different questions.
Search Console average
With Google Search Console connected, RankGrep imports Google's own report of the terms people typed, the pages they landed on, and the average position your site held for each. The Average column on Rank tracking is that figure, straight from Google.
It is an average across every impression in the period, across every searcher's location and device, so it moves slowly and rarely shows a whole number.
Live position
Each night RankGrep also runs a real search for each tracked term from the location set on the website, or globally if no town or country was chosen, and records where your site appears. This is the position a new visitor in that place would see, with no search history attached.
Why it is not what you see
Searching for your own business from your own computer is one of the least reliable ways to check a ranking. Google personalises results by your history, your account, your exact location and your device. Seeing yourself at number two while RankGrep reports number five is normal. RankGrep's check is neutral and repeatable, which is what makes day-to-day comparison meaningful.
Choosing the location
The search location is set on the website's settings, from the same list of places the search provider recognises. Choose the town or region your customers search from. For a business serving one city, that city. For a national or online business, the country, or leave it global.
Data allowance
Live checks cost real money to run, so each plan includes a monthly allowance for them. A nightly check across your tracked terms uses a predictable amount; the Pricing page states the allowance for each plan. Audits, repairs and Search Console imports never use it.