How to track mobile vs desktop rankings on Semrush

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-30

Quick Answer

Semrush allows you to track mobile vs desktop rankings by setting up separate campaigns for each device type in the Position Tracking tool. You can compare performance by switching between mobile and desktop views or creating custom reports that display both metrics side by side.

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Prerequisites

Active Semrush subscription
Website domain verified in Semrush
Basic understanding of SEO keywords
Mobile-friendly website with content

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access Position Tracking Tool

Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Projects from the main menu. Select your project or create a new one, then click on Position Tracking in the left sidebar. This tool allows you to monitor keyword rankings across different devices and search engines.

If you haven't set up a project yet, you'll need to add your domain first before accessing Position Tracking.

Set Up Desktop Campaign

Click Set up tracking or the + Add Campaign button. Enter your target domain, select your target location and language, then choose Desktop as the device type. Add your target keywords either manually or by importing from a CSV file, then click Start Tracking.

Start with your most important keywords (20-50) to avoid overwhelming your tracking limits initially.

Create Mobile Campaign

Return to the Position Tracking dashboard and click + Add Campaign again. Use the same domain and location settings, but this time select Mobile as the device type. Import the same keyword list you used for desktop to ensure accurate comparison, then start tracking.

Keep keyword lists identical between campaigns to make meaningful comparisons between mobile and desktop performance.

Configure Tracking Settings

In each campaign, click the Settings gear icon to configure update frequency and competitors. Set both campaigns to update on the same schedule (daily or weekly) to maintain consistency. Add the same competitor domains to both mobile and desktop campaigns for comprehensive analysis.

View Mobile vs Desktop Rankings

Navigate between your campaigns using the campaign dropdown menu at the top of the Position Tracking interface. Click on Rankings to view current positions, then switch between campaigns to compare mobile and desktop performance for the same keywords.

Use the export feature to download data from both campaigns and create side-by-side comparisons in Excel or Google Sheets.

Analyze Performance Differences

Use the Devices tab within each campaign to see device-specific insights. Look for significant ranking differences between mobile and desktop, focusing on keywords where you rank significantly higher or lower on mobile compared to desktop. Pay attention to SERP Features that may appear differently on mobile.

Mobile and desktop SERPs often show different featured snippets, local packs, and other SERP features that can impact your visibility.

Set Up Custom Reports

Go to Reports in the Position Tracking tool and click Create Report. Select Custom Report and choose widgets that display ranking data from both campaigns. Include widgets for Position Changes, Top Keywords, and Visibility for both mobile and desktop data.

Schedule these reports to be sent weekly or monthly to stakeholders who need regular mobile vs desktop performance updates.

Monitor Mobile-First Indexing Impact

Create alerts in the Alerts section for significant ranking changes on mobile campaigns. Set thresholds for position drops of 3+ positions to catch mobile-first indexing issues early. Use the Position Changes report to identify trends in mobile vs desktop ranking divergence over time.

Since Google uses mobile-first indexing, mobile ranking changes often predict future desktop ranking changes.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Mobile and desktop campaigns showing identical results

Verify that you selected different device types during campaign setup. Check Settings > Device in each campaign to confirm one is set to Mobile and the other to Desktop. If settings are correct, allow 24-48 hours for data differences to appear.

Keywords not tracking or showing no data

Ensure keywords are properly formatted without special characters or excessive length. Check your keyword limits in Account Settings and verify your subscription allows tracking the number of keywords you've added. Remove any duplicate keywords between campaigns.

Significant ranking discrepancies between Semrush and manual checks

Verify your location settings match your manual search location in both campaigns. Clear browser cache and use incognito mode for manual checks. Remember that Semrush data updates daily while manual searches show real-time results, which can cause temporary discrepancies.

Cannot compare data between mobile and desktop campaigns

Export data from both campaigns using the Export button in the Rankings section. Use Excel or Google Sheets to merge the data with VLOOKUP functions. Alternatively, use Semrush's My Reports feature to create custom dashboards displaying both datasets.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Semrush website before purchasing.

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