How to Add Keywords to Rank Tracker in SE Ranking
Add keywords to SE Ranking's Rank Tracker by navigating to the Rankings module, clicking Add keywords, and entering terms manually or importing from Keyword Research. Keywords are tracked daily across your selected search engine and location with real-time position updates and SERP feature monitoring.
Prerequisites
- Active SE Ranking account with an existing project
- Project configured with search engine, location, and device settings
- Sufficient keyword tracking quota based on your subscription plan
- Access to Keyword Research tool or existing keyword lists
- Optional: CSV file or Google Search Console data for bulk imports
Step-by-Step Instructions
Log in and access Rank Tracker
Log into your SE Ranking dashboard and select an existing project or create a new one via Projects > + Add project. Open the Rank Tracker (also called Rankings) section from the left sidebar. This is your central hub for keyword position monitoring.
Access the Add Keywords interface
In the Rank Tracker module, locate and click the + Add keywords button at the top of the screen. This opens the keyword input interface. Verify that your desired search engine and location are selected in the dropdowns, as these determine which rankings you track.
Add keywords manually
In the Enter keywords field, type one keyword per line. Multi-word phrases are supported (e.g., best SEO tools or rank tracker software). There is no character limit per keyword. After entering all terms, click Add keywords to save them to your project. A Keywords Entered counter displays your total.
Import keywords from Keyword Research tool
For bulk additions, navigate to Keyword Research > Keyword Suggestions tab. Hover over individual keywords and click the three-dot menu > Add to project, or select multiple keywords and click Add to. Choose your target project and group/folder (create a new folder if needed), then confirm with Add keywords. Imported keywords automatically include search volume and competition data.
Organize keywords with groups and tags
After adding keywords, organize them for easier management. Select keywords and click Group to create folders by topic or campaign. Alternatively, click the three-dot menu next to a keyword and select Add tag (e.g., high-priority or product-pages). Use the Filter button to later view keywords by tags with And/Or logic, or create a Star Group via the star icon for quick access to favorites.
Set target URLs and detect cannibalization
For each keyword, optionally assign a target URL via the three-dot menu. This helps SE Ranking detect which page should rank for that keyword and flags cannibalization issues (multiple pages competing for the same term). If no target URL is set, SE Ranking tracks whichever page ranks highest for that keyword.
Add competitors for comparative tracking
In your project Settings, enter up to 20 competitor domains. SE Ranking will track their rankings alongside yours for the same keywords, allowing you to monitor competitive positioning. This data appears in your Rankings dashboard for side-by-side comparison.
Configure tracking settings and verify
Review your project settings to confirm daily scan frequency, SERP feature tracking (e.g., featured snippets, local pack), and location/device preferences. SE Ranking defaults to daily scans and tracks 35+ SERP features automatically. Use the calendar feature to compare rankings across different dates or time periods. Click Save or Apply to finalize settings. Data updates in real-time as scans complete.
Review keywords in the Rankings dashboard
Return to Rank Tracker > Keywords tab to view all tracked keywords. The dashboard displays current position, search volume, CTR estimates, and ranking changes. Expand individual keywords to see related suggestions and detailed stats. Customize the table by clicking the Gear icon to add columns like SERP Features, Traffic Forecast, or Search Visibility. Charts at the top show Average Position, Search Visibility, and Top Positions Distribution.
Monitor and update rankings
SE Ranking automatically checks keyword positions daily. To manually refresh positions at any time, click the Recheck Data button in the Positions module. You can update positions for your entire account or specific locations. SE Ranking saves cached copies of search results for verification; click any position number to view cached and live SERPs side-by-side, ensuring data accuracy.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Keywords frozen or exceeds limits error
Your subscription quota has been reached. Check your plan's keyword limit under Account Settings. Either upgrade your plan, remove underperforming keywords, or enable Pay-As-You-Go charges for additional tracked keywords. Keyword quotas are calculated per project/location/device combination.
Keywords not appearing in Rankings dashboard
Verify that the search engine and location selected when adding keywords match your project settings. Confirm that your project has completed its first daily scan (up to 24 hours). Check that keywords were successfully saved by reviewing the Keywords Entered counter. If using bulk import, ensure CSV formatting is correct with one keyword per line.
Mismatched location or device tracking
SE Ranking tracks mobile and desktop rankings separately. Confirm your device preference (mobile/desktop) in project settings before adding keywords. For local SEO, verify that your location is set to the correct city or ZIP code. You can track the same keyword across multiple locations by creating separate projects or using the Overall section to compare positions across locations.
Import from Keyword Research fails
Ensure you have sufficient quota remaining in your subscription. Verify that the target project exists and is active. Check that you have selected a valid project and group/folder during import. If using CSV import, confirm proper formatting with one keyword per line and no special characters that could cause parsing errors.
Cannot see SERP features or competitor data
SERP features are tracked by default, but you must add the SERP Features column to your Rankings table. Click the Gear icon in Rankings settings, then check the SERP Features checkbox. For competitor data, confirm that you have added competitor domains in project Settings (up to 20 competitors). Competitor rankings appear in the same table as your own positions.