How to check Google Rankings in WordPress websites

Monitoring your website’s Google rankings is essential for tracking your SEO progress and ensuring that your content appears prominently in search engine results. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods and tools to check Google rankings for your WordPress website.

In general there are four methods to check your rankings:

1. Google Search Console

2. Third Party SEO tools

3. Manual Search Queries

4. WordPress SEO Plugins

In our approach to SEO and website optimization, we prioritize the tools we use based on their effectiveness and impact. Our top choices are the first two methods, which have proven to be invaluable in enhancing website performance and rankings. We rely on them as our primary solutions for SEO tasks and optimization efforts. The third method is reserved for specific cases and verification purposes, providing an additional layer of insight when needed. However, it is not our primary go-to option due to its selective usage. As for the fourth solution, we approach it with caution, as it has the potential to introduce unnecessary bloat to a website, potentially affecting its overall performance. Our goal is to streamline and optimize websites efficiently, and we believe that a selective and strategic approach to these tools ensures the best results for our clients.

Method 1: Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a powerful and free tool provided by Google for webmasters and website owners. It offers a wealth of information about your website’s performance in Google search results, including ranking data. Here’s how to use Google Search Console to check your rankings:

1. If you haven’t already, sign in to your Google Search Console account and add your website property.
2. In the left sidebar, click on “Performance.”
3. Under the “Performance” tab, you’ll find valuable data about your website’s search performance, including total clicks, total impressions, click-through rate (CTR), and average position.
4. The “Average Position” metric indicates your website’s average ranking for all the keywords it appears for in Google search results. Note that this data may be anonymized and rounded for privacy reasons.
5. To get more detailed ranking information, click on the “Average Position” metric. In Queries Tab below, you’ll see the list of keywords your website was discovered with, along with their respective positions.
6. You can further filter the data, export it for analysis, or set up performance reports to receive regular updates on your rankings.

Method 2: Third-Party SEO Tools

If you prefer a more advanced and in-depth approach to tracking Google rankings, third-party SEO tools can provide detailed insights into your website’s performance. Some popular SEO tools include Ahrefs, SEMrush and Moz. Here’s how to use them:

1. Sign up for an account with your chosen SEO tool.
2. Add your website as a project or domain within the tool’s dashboard.
3. Explore the tool’s ranking tracking feature, which allows you to enter keywords or keyphrases you want to monitor.
4. The tool will regularly check your website’s rankings for the specified keywords and provide detailed reports on ranking changes, search volume, and competitor analysis.
5. Utilize additional features offered by the tool, such as backlink analysis, site audits, and keyword research, to further improve your website’s SEO performance.

While third-party SEO tools often come with a subscription fee, they offer a wealth of data and insights that can help you make informed decisions to boost your website’s search engine rankings.

Method 3: Manual Search Queries

The most straightforward way to check your website’s Google rankings is by performing manual search queries. This method is simple, free, and provides you with a firsthand look at your site’s performance in the search results. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to Google (www.google.com).
2. In the search bar, enter the keyword or keyphrase you want to check your ranking for. For example, if you have a travel blog, you might enter “best travel destinations.”
3. Hit “Enter” to perform the search.
4. Scan the search results to find your website’s listings. Your site’s position in the results will give you an idea of its current ranking for that specific keyword or keyphrase.
5. To get a more accurate picture, check your rankings for multiple keywords and keyphrases relevant to your content.
6. Always take into consideration that your specific device (or even network through your router) may show different results in case you use your website a lot, making it difficult to understand real life rankings. Additionally, always remember that geographical criteria play a vital role in the results you manually get.

While manual search queries are a straightforward method, they can be time-consuming if you’re tracking rankings for numerous keywords. For more efficient and comprehensive tracking, consider the following methods.

Method 4: SEO Plugins

WordPress offers various SEO plugins that can simplify the process of tracking your Google rankings. Two popular plugins for this purpose are Yoast SEO and Rank Math. Here’s how to use them:

Using Yoast SEO:

1. Install and activate the Yoast SEO plugin if you haven’t already.
2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to the post or page you want to check the ranking for.
3. Scroll down to the Yoast SEO metabox, usually located below the post editor.
4. In the “Focus keyphrase” field, enter the keyword or keyphrase you want to check the ranking for.
5. Yoast SEO will analyze your content and provide feedback on how well it’s optimized for the chosen keyphrase. If you enable Wincher integration (by creating a new account in Wincher), it will also display your post’s current ranking position in the Google search results for that keyphrase.

Using Rank Math:

1. Install and activate the Rank Math plugin if you haven’t already.
2. In your WordPress dashboard, go to the post or page you want to check the ranking for.
3. Scroll down to the Rank Math metabox, usually located below the post editor.
4. In the “Focus Keyword” field, enter the keyword or keyphrase you want to check the ranking for.
5. Rank Math will analyze your content and provide feedback on its optimization. By enabling Analytics Module, it will also display your post’s current ranking position in the Google search results for that keyphrase.

Both Yoast SEO and Rank Math offer additional features like sitemap generation, schema markup, and SEO analysis, making them valuable tools for comprehensive SEO management.

Check your Google Rankings and plan your growth!

Monitoring your website’s Google rankings is a crucial part of effective SEO management. By using manual search queries, Google Search Console, SEO plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math, and third-party SEO tools, you can gain valuable insights into how well your website is performing in search engine results. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, so regularly tracking your rankings and optimizing your content accordingly is essential for long-term success. Choose the method or combination of methods that best suits your needs and objectives to ensure your WordPress website ranks well in Google and drives organic traffic.