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You’ve been keeping an eye on your Google Search Console, and you’ve noticed that your website’s average position isn’t quite where you’d like it to be. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Average position is a metric that shows where your site generally appears in search results for specific queries. It’s important because the higher you rank, the more visibility and traffic you get. Think of it like this: the closer you are to that coveted first spot, the more likely people will click on your link.
In this blog, we’re going to dive into some tried-and-true strategies to improve the average position in Google search console, so you can bring in more visitors, leads and customers. Ready to give your rankings a nudge? Let’s get started!
1. Keyword Research
Before diving into optimization, you need to know what your audience is searching for. Using tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or even the “Search Queries” section in Google Search Console can help you discover relevant keywords.
Aim for keywords that have a good search volume but aren’t overly competitive. You might not hit the ranking immediately, but focusing on less-competitive, long-tail keywords can help you rank steadily.
2. Optimize Your Content
Title Tags & Meta Descriptions: This is the first thing users see, so make sure your titles are compelling, contain your keywords and are within the character limit. The same goes for meta descriptions. Make them catchy, concise and informative.
Headings & Content: Break your content into sections using H1, H2, and H3 tags. This makes it easier for both users and search engines to understand what your page is about. Plus, make sure your content is relevant, informative and engaging. Search engines love that!
Keyword Placement: Place your target keywords naturally within the first 100 words, subheadings, and throughout the content. Over-stuffing is a no-go, so use them naturally.
3. Keep an Eye on Your Core Web Vitals
Google is serious about user experience, and core web vitals are key metrics that measure how users perceive the performance of a web page. Fast loading times, quick interactivity, and visual stability can boost your average position.
Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to check your Core Web Vitals and fix any issues. Improving loading times, reducing bounce rates and providing a best browsing experience will not only improve your rankings but also keep users on your site longer.
4. Update & Refresh Your Content Regularly
Search engines prefer fresh, up-to-date content. So, if your blog posts or landing pages are starting to gather a little outdated, it’s time for a refresh.
Updating content with the latest information, adding new keywords, or enhancing it with images, videos and infographics can make a huge difference. Plus, it shows Google that your content is still relevant.
5. Improve Internal Linking
Internal links help Google understand the structure of your website and prioritize your most important pages. Make sure your key pages are connected with internal links.
Add relevant links within your blog posts, product pages, or services pages to guide users (and search engines) through your website. This not only helps improve user experience but also passes on some SEO juice to your pages.
6. Don’t Forget Mobile Optimization
With more than half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s important that your site looks and works great on smartphones and tablets.
Google’s mobile-first indexing means they primarily use the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing. So, if your mobile site is clunky or slow, your average position could be taking a hit. Make sure your site is responsive, easy to navigate, quick to load and adaptive on all devices.
7. Leverage Google Search Console Insights
Google Search Console is loaded with insights that can help you improve your average position. Use the “Performance” report to identify which queries you’re ranking for, your average position for those queries, and where there’s room for improvement.
Look for pages with a good amount of impressions but a lower average position. These are golden opportunities! Tweak your content, improve the page, or optimize your meta tags to boost these pages up in the rankings.
8. Build Quality Backlinks
Backlinks act as votes of confidence from other sites, telling Google your content is trustworthy and authoritative. The more quality backlinks you have, the higher your chances of boosting your average position.
Focus on building relationships with other websites, contributing guest posts, or creating content that’s so valuable people can’t help but link back to it. Remember, it’s about quality, not just quantity.
How to Average Position Data in Google Search Console
To see your average position, head to your Google Search Console account. Under the Performance tab, you’ll find an overview of your site’s performance, including total clicks, impressions, click-through rate (CTR) and—of course—average position.
- Overall Average Position: This number tells you how your entire website is performing across all the keywords you rank for. A lower number (closer to 1) means your pages are ranking higher on average.
- Query-Level Average Position: You can also check the average position for specific keywords or queries. This helps you identify which keywords need more attention or where you’re already doing well.
- Page-Level Average Position: Want to see how individual pages are performing? Google Search Console lets you view the average position of each page on your site, so you can pinpoint which ones might need optimization.
Understanding this data is key to creating an effective SEO strategy. Once you have a clear picture of your average positions, you can take steps to improve them, leading to better visibility and more traffic.
Conclusion
Improving your average position in Google Search Console isn’t a one-and-done task. It requires continuous effort, monitoring and tweaking. But with the right strategies, like smart keyword research, content optimization, better user experience and a solid internal linking structure, you’ll start to see improvements.
Keep in mind, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Track your progress, learn from the data and don’t be afraid to make adjustments. And most importantly, focus on providing value to your audience—Google will take care of the rest!
Happy ranking, and may your average position soar!
FAQs on Strategies to Improve Average Position in Google Search Console
What is the average position in Google Search Console?
The average position indicates where your website’s pages generally rank in Google search results for specific keywords. It’s an average of all positions across searches, giving you insight into how well your content is performing.
Why is improving average position important?
A higher average position means better visibility for your website, which can lead to more clicks, traffic and potential conversions. The closer you are to the top positions, the more likely users are to click on your content.
How can keyword research help improve average position?
Effective keyword research helps you identify terms that your target audience is searching for. By optimizing your content around these keywords, you can improve relevance and boost your ranking.
What role does content quality play in improving average position?
High-quality, engaging content that answers users’ questions can improve your average position. Google prioritizes content that is informative, well-structured, and valuable to users.
How can I use Google Search Console to improve my average position?
Use the “Performance” report to check which queries you rank for, analyze your average position, and identify which keywords or pages need more attention. Adjust your SEO strategies based on this data.
What is the impact of Core Web Vitals on average position in GSC?
Core Web Vitals measure user experience aspects like loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Improving these metrics can lead to a better average position since Google rewards websites that offer a smooth, fast user experience.
How often should I update my content to improve my rankings?
Regular updates are key. Review your content periodically (every few months) to ensure it’s accurate, relevant and fresh. Adding new information, keywords, and visuals can help improve your position.
Can internal linking really impact my average position?
Yes, internal linking helps search engines understand your site structure and prioritize important pages. It also guides users through your content, improving their experience and encouraging them to explore more of your site.
How do backlinks affect my Google Search Console average position?
Backlinks from authoritative sites act as votes of confidence for your content. Quality backlinks can improve your page’s authority, helping to boost its average position in search results.
What is the difference between impressions and average position?
Impressions refer to how often your website appears in search results, while the average position indicates the average ranking of your site for specific queries. High impressions with a low average position might mean your content needs better optimization.
How can I check the average position of individual pages on my website?
In Google Search Console, go to the Performance tab and click on the Pages section. This will show you the average position for each page, allowing you to see which ones need more attention.
Is average position the same as keyword ranking?
Not exactly. While both deal with where your content appears in search results, the average position is an aggregated number across multiple searches, while keyword ranking is typically specific to a single keyword or query.
Why might my average position drop even if my content hasn’t changed?
Ranking fluctuations can occur due to changes in search algorithms, increased competition, or shifting search trends. Regularly updating your SEO strategy can help mitigate drops.
Can local SEO affect my average position on Google Search Console?
Yes, if your business relies on local traffic, optimizing for local SEO strategies (like including local keywords, photos, description to generate organic visits for Google Business Profile) can improve your average position for local searches.
Should I focus on improving my average position for all queries?
It’s best to focus on a few high-impact keywords that are relevant to your business and have potential for conversion. Trying to optimize for too many keywords can dilute your efforts.
