When using the platform, you may occasionally notice that the keyword rankings displayed in our platform differ slightly (or even significantly) from the rankings displayed in other SEO tools. Don't panic! Here's a brief explanation of why this happens:
1. Different Data Centers
Search engines, like Google, have numerous data centers located around the world. The results they display can slightly vary between these centers. If two tools are accessing different data centers for their ranking data, the results may not align perfectly.
2. Local vs. National Search
Rankings can vary significantly between local and national searches. Some tools might show you the ranking of a keyword on a national scale, while others might focus on local search results, or vice versa. When you add your website to the platform you can select if you want to track keyword rankings at either a local or national basis.
3. Update Frequency
Different SEO tools have varying frequencies for updating their ranking data. We check your keyword rankings in Google every 2 days. This frequency difference between tools can account for discrepancies in rankings.
4. Personalization
Search engines tailor results based on user behavior, search history, device, and other personal factors. SEO tools like ours can't 100% accurately simulate every users search. Different tools have different ways of replicating this, which will account for discrepancies in rankings.
5. Mobile vs. Desktop Rankings
Results can differ between mobile and desktop searches due to factors like mobile-friendliness, site speed, and device optimization. Our rankings are based on Google's mobile results, whereas some other tools might show rankings from desktop searches.
6. Exact Match vs. Variations
Some tools - like ours - check the exact keyword ranking, ,meaning we check Google for the keyword exactly as you selected. However, some other tools also consider slight variations of the keyword as well and provide an average ranking score.
Conclusion:
Ranking discrepancies between SEO tools are completely normal due to the myriad of variables and methods at play. While these differences can be confusing, it's essential to remember that no tool can provide 100% accurate, real-time ranking data. Instead of focusing solely on the rank of a keyword, consider the overall trend, and use the insights to improve your SEO strategy.