Why rank checking is overrated

1. Google personalizes search results.
It is not uncommon for different users to see different websites ranking #1.  Google displays search rankings based on previous user activity, searchesand many other factors.  It is common rankings favor local sites.  With all of this personalization, it is hard to figure out accurate rankings for your website.

 

2. Time. 
   Depending on the time of day, Google will show a different ranking. When checking rankings at 8am, while Google throttles rankings between 9am and 5pm, then the data I gathered at 8am is not accurate.

 

3. Google’s makes ranking data inaccurate. 
   Google integrated local listings, news headlines, videos and much more.  These will appear as integrated boxes above all rankings, sometimes in the middle.  So you may rank #1 with a Google local onebox appearing below you or you may rank #1 with 10 local listings appearing before you.  Quite a big difference.

 

4. Automated rank checkers have issues.
   Google does not like rank checkers. There are some smart people that make rank checkers do an their job. But unfortunately, Google gives them a hard time and they encounter a constant flow of issues that make it difficult to measure rankings properly. Meanwhile, be aware of people advertising their SEDO skills when they're promising 100% like accuracy.

 

5. Checking the ranks for wrong keywords. 
   Not all keywords are equal.  Some keywords generate lots of traffic, others have potential to drive sales.  On rare occasions, you can find a keyword that drives high traffic & sales.  Look at these keyword examples:
   • “buy Joomla theme” – high traffic & high conversions
   • “buy Joomla cocos layout” – high traffic & poor conversions
   • "free Windows" - high traffic& no sales
   • “generated boredom” – no traffic & no sales

    

6. What it doesn't tell you / my advice
   Your Google rank does not tell you anything really about the number of visitors or bounce-rate. What do to do then? Monitor by using Google analytics.  If you monitor traffic, you can see if  search engine referrals decrease.  If so, you can drill down to see which keywords are sending less traffic.