How to set up position tracking on Semrush
Quick Answer
Log into Semrush, navigate to Projects or Position Tracking, configure targeting (domain, search engine, device, location), add keywords and optional business name/competitors, then launch the campaign. Initial results appear after the first crawl in 1-24 hours. Double-check irreversible settings like device and location before starting.
Prerequisites
- Active Semrush subscription (Guru or Business tier recommended)
- Verified website domain or existing project folder
- List of target keywords prepared for import or manual entry
- Target details: search engine, device, location, and optional business name
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Access Position Tracking
Log into Semrush and go to the Projects section from the left-hand menu. If you have an existing project, select it; otherwise, click Add New Project, enter your domain and project name—Position Tracking auto-configures for the root domain on first setup. For subsequent projects, access Position Tracking directly and click Create new folder for manual setup.
First project auto-launches Position Tracking; use root domain initially for maximum data.
2
Set Domain Scope
In the Targeting section, select your tracking area from the dropdown: root domain (recommended), subdomain, URL, or subfolder. Enter or confirm the exact domain/URL (e.g.,
example.com). This setting can be changed post-launch with historical data preserved.3
Configure Search Engine and Device
Select your Search Engine (default: Google; options include Bing, Baidu, ChatGPT, Google AI Mode—Baidu limited to national/desktop). Choose Device: desktop, mobile, or tablet. Critical: These cannot be changed after launch; create separate campaigns for multiples (Guru/Business tiers only).
Verify device and search engine carefully—add extra campaigns for variations.
4
Set Location
Enter your target Location: country, state/region, city, or ZIP/postal code (down to postal code for local SEO). Toggle local or national keyword volume (default: national; switchable post-launch).
Use city/ZIP for local businesses to focus on relevant results.
5
Add Business Name for Local Pack
In the Local Pack field, enter your exact business name as it appears in search results (no abbreviations or misspellings). This enables tracking of local pack rankings for relevant keywords—recommended for local SEO.
Match the name precisely to Google's display for accurate local pack data.
6
Add Keywords
Go to the Keywords tab. Add manually, import from file/Google Analytics/SEMrush Keyword Manager, or use Semrush suggestions. Group into categories (e.g., branded, local) via tags. Default limit: 500-1000 keywords (tier-dependent); confirm location/device match.
Tag keywords for easy organization and filtering in reports.
7
Add Competitors
Review auto-suggested competitors or add manually for side-by-side tracking. Enhances comparison reports; up to 20 per campaign (view up to 5 at once).
8
Review and Launch
Double-check all settings (core location/device unchangeable post-launch). Click Start Tracking or Finish. Semrush performs daily crawls; view initial results in Position Tracking Overview (visibility, traffic, average position) after crawl completes.
Expect first results in 1-24 hours depending on queue.
9
Post-Setup Management
From the project dashboard, use Settings icon > Tracked Keywords to add/edit keywords or tags. Access reports: Overview, Landing Pages, Competitors. Fully UI-based; no terminal commands needed.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Cannot change location, device, or search engine after launch
Verify and set correctly in Targeting step before launch; create additional campaigns for variations (Guru/Business only).
Invalid URL causing no data
Ensure exact URL typed correctly (e.g., include <code>https://</code> if needed); switch to root domain initially.
Keyword limits exceeded
Check tier limits (e.g., 500-1000); import properly and group with tags before saving.
No initial results after launch
Wait 1-24 hours for first crawl; confirm queue status in dashboard.
Inaccurate local pack tracking
Enter exact business name without abbreviations; match location to city/ZIP.