When most people think of tracking rankings, they often imagine a straightforward process:
- 1. Target keywords on your website.
- 2. Check how high your site ranks for those keywords.
If only it were that simple! In reality, rank tracking is much more complex. Factors such as the searcher’s location, search engine, and device type all play a significant role.
This is where mobile rank tracking becomes essential. We need to monitor both traditional and mobile search results; otherwise, we’re fighting a losing battle if we neglect mobile rankings.
This article will explain why tracking mobile rankings is crucial and provide actionable tips on how to do it effectively.
A. The Difference Between Desktop Rank Tracking and Mobile Rank Tracking
Newcomers to SEO often think all rank tracking is the same, but desktop and mobile rank tracking are very different processes.
Standard rank tracking focuses solely on computers. Since search results on computers using the same search engine are ranked similarly, this process is relatively straightforward.
In contrast, mobile rank tracking must account for various devices:
- Apple phones
- Android phones
- iPads and other tablets
Each of these devices ranks SEO results differently, complicating the keyword-tracking process. In addition to considering different devices, mobile rank tracking also has to factor in:
- Location
- Search engine
- Search phrase
In short, mobile keyword ranking operates differently from desktop ranking and requires a distinct approach for effective tracking.
B. Why is Mobile Rank Tracking Mandatory in this Digital Era?
Is tracking your mobile search results worth the time? Can you save the expense of a mobile rank tracker by sticking to standard rank tracking? You could, but we strongly advise against it.
Mobile rank tracking is not only different—it’s essential for your business. Since the introduction of mobile-first indexing, the need for mobile rank tracking has become even more crucial.
For many brands, tracking mobile rankings is more important than tracking desktop rankings. Here are three major reasons you should prioritize mobile rank tracking immediately.
- Mobile Search Is Huge (and Growing Fast)
One of the most compelling reasons to track your mobile rankings is the sheer scale of mobile search. Just how massive is it?
As of 2024, there are 5.44 billion unique internet users, many of whom utilize mobile devices. About 58.5% of all website traffic originates from mobile devices, compared to only 31.16% in 2015.
This means mobile traffic now commands nearly 2X the market share of all online traffic compared to less than a decade ago.
Mobile search not only surpasses traditional search in volume but is also growing rapidly. In the next few years, mobile traffic is expected to exceed 60% of total web traffic.
In short, your online/offline business can’t afford to ignore mobile rank tracking!
- Each Mobile Device Ranks Results Differently
Mobile rank tracking is crucial because each type of mobile device ranks search results differently. iPhone users will see different search results compared to Android users.
This makes mobile rank tracking significantly more complex than standard rank tracking. Without mobile rank tracking, you can quickly become overwhelmed by the added complexity of mobile SEO, making it impossible to stay updated on your rankings.
Conversely, using a mobile ranking checker helps you keep track of your different mobile rankings, manage your SEO strategy, and make informed improvements.
- Reach More Customers
Finally, mobile rank tracking is crucial because it allows you to reach more customers. Mobile search is not only more prevalent than desktop search, but it also connects you with a different demographic.
Ignoring mobile searches alienates younger demographics, who primarily use mobile devices to go online and rarely use laptops or desktops.
To target these users, your business must focus on mobile searches and track mobile rankings. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on a significant portion of potential customers.
C. Factors to Look for in a Mobile Rank Tracker
Choosing the right mobile rank tracker is crucial for effectively managing your SEO strategy. Here are detailed features to consider:
1. Device-Specific Tracking
Diversity: The tracker should accurately track rankings across a variety of devices like iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and iPads.
Precision: Look for a tool that recognizes and adjusts for differences in search results between these devices, as each type may display different rankings for the same query.
2. Location-Based Tracking
Granularity: It should offer the ability to track search rankings by specific geographic locations, such as cities, regions, or countries.
Localization: This feature is essential for businesses targeting local markets, as search results can vary significantly depending on the user’s location.
3. Search Engine Variability
Multi-Engine Support: Ensure the tool supports multiple search engines, not just Google. This includes Bing, Yahoo, and others, as each search engine might rank your site differently.
Algorithm Updates: The tracker should stay updated with changes in search engine algorithms to provide accurate data.
4. Real-Time Updates
Frequency: Opt for a tracker that provides real-time or at least very frequent updates to ensure your data is current and actionable.
Alerts: Some tools offer alert systems to notify you of significant changes in your rankings, which can be critical for timely adjustments.
5. User-Friendly Interface:
Ease of Use: The tool should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with precise instructions and a logical layout.
Visualization: Look for features such as graphs, dashboards, and charts that make it simple to visualize your data and track trends over time.
6. Comprehensive Reporting
Detail and Depth: Reports should provide in-depth analysis, including keyword performance, competitive analysis, and historical trends.
Actionable Insights: The best tools offer actionable recommendations based on the data, helping you to optimize your SEO strategy effectively.
7. Integration Capabilities
Compatibility: Ensure the tracker can integrate with other SEO tools and analytics platforms you already use, such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and others.
Data Sync: The ability to sync data across different platforms helps streamline your workflow and provides a more comprehensive view of your SEO performance.
8. Customization Options
Tailored Tracking: The tool should allow you to customize what and how you track your rankings, including setting specific parameters and filters.
Personalized Reports: Customizable reporting options enable you to generate reports that meet your specific needs and highlight the most relevant data for your business.
By focusing on these detailed features, you can select a mobile rank tracker that not only meets your needs but also improves your overall SEO strategy.
D. Top 5 Mobile Rank Trackers You Can Consider Using
Here are five of the best mobile rank trackers for 2024 based on functionality, ease of use, and features tailored to mobile SEO needs:
1. Ahrefs
Track your Google rankings effortlessly across 190 countries with Ahrefs Rank Tracker. Simply input or import your list of keywords, assign multiple countries per keyword and specify your competitor’s URLs.
This mobile rank tracking tool will initiate mobile tracking and provide regular updates. Monitor your rankings over time, compare your performance with competitors, and receive scheduled reports directly to your inbox.
Key Features: Comprehensive keyword analysis, detailed site audits, competitor analysis, and extensive backlink checking. It also offers tools for content exploration and technical SEO analysis.
Pros: Provides in-depth SEO insights, valuable competitor analysis, and is known for its extensive keyword and backlink databases.
Cons: It might be expensive and may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
Pricing: Starts at $129/month for a Lite plan and $249 for a standard plan
2. Semrush
Their mobile tracker tool examines real-time Google mobile rankings for specified keywords across various locations.
It allows you to narrow down the location to city and neighborhood levels. Monitor both your site and competitor’s rankings daily, track any location or device type, and analyze SERPs by target keyword, identifying each SERP Feature your site may occupy.
Analyze the effectiveness of your SEO or PPC efforts, track overall visibility, and monitor the share of voice alongside keyword positions using this mobile rank-tracking tool.
Key Features: Broad functionality, including keyword research, mobile audits, rank tracking, and social media monitoring. It also tracks both desktop and mobile rankings.
Pros: Versatile and all-encompassing SEO tool, excellent for both beginners and advanced users.
Cons: High cost and can be overwhelming due to the breadth of features.
Pricing: It’s a free tool
3. Pro Rank Tracker
ProRankTracker stands out as a top choice for those seeking an accurate and user-friendly tool with mobile tracking features. It provides precise rank tracking tailored to specific locations, including the ability to track individual zip codes.
Leveraging location data enables precise targeting of mobile users, a capability unmatched without local rank tracking.
With ProRankTracker, you can analyze your mobile and traditional ranking data through various views such as Dashboard, URL View, Term View, Daily View, and Full SERPs, offering versatile insights into your performance.
Key Features: Accurate rank tracking across multiple search engines and devices, daily updates, and white-label reporting.
Pros: Affordable, easy to use, and provides detailed insights.
Cons: Some advanced features are limited to higher-tier plans.
Pricing: Starts at $49/month. It offers a 14-day free trial service.
4. AccuRanker
AccuRanker stands out as the swiftest and most precise mobile rank-tracking solution available. There truly isn’t another mobile rank tracker that matches its caliber.
With this mobile rank tracking, it’s effortless to monitor your rankings and access detailed historical SERP data.
A standout feature is the versatility to update your rankings on demand. Unlike most mobile rank tracking tools that only refresh rankings once per day, AccuRanker enables you to update your keyword rankings whenever you choose.
Key Features: Real-time rank tracking, integration with various analytics tools, advanced SERP tracking facility, and detailed reporting options. It supports multiple search engines and devices.
Pros: Fast updates, user-friendly interface, and solid customer support.
Cons: It can be pricey for small businesses.
Pricing: Starts at $99/month with a 14-day free trial
5. Nozzle.io
For unparalleled access to enterprise-level SERP data, look no further than Nozzle.io. SEO enthusiasts rave about their Google keyword rank tracker tool.
Nozzle.io monitors your entire brand presence, including social media profiles and unlimited domain matches.
They show you a distinction between merely ranking #1 and dominating the entire first page is clear.
Plus, they retain all your data indefinitely, allowing you to revisit rankings for terms like “The Last Dance” from 2021 even years down the line.
Key Features: Detailed data visualization, real-time rank tracking with frequent updates, and customizable reporting. Focuses heavily on providing comprehensive data points.
Pros: Ideal for data-heavy analysis, frequent updates, customer service software, and detailed reports offering.
Cons: The complex interface might be overwhelming for beginners.
Pricing: Starts at $49/month with a 14-day free trial.
These incredible tools offer a broad range of functionalities to help you effectively track and optimize your mobile search rankings, ensuring you reach the widest possible audience.
E. Summarizing Why Mobile Rank Tracking Matters
Mobile traffic is increasingly critical and will keep expanding. To augment your visibility in search engine results, it is a must that you prioritize your mobile rankings. With most users accessing the web from mobile devices nowadays, it is a growing necessity to know how your site performs in mobile search results.
In this guide we saw how to explore the importance of tracking rank for mobile, Google’s mobile-first index, and the top tips and tricks on how to make sure your website achieves the best rankings on mobile devices.
From choosing the right tools to keeping it optimized for local search, we hope these insights will better your chances of staying on top of this increasingly mobile-driven world of digital happenings.
Suggested read: Step by step guide on WordPress SEO for Beginners
F. Common FAQs on Why Mobile Rank Tracking Matters
What common mistakes should I avoid in mobile SEO?
Some of the common mistakes that most people make in mobile SEO are ignoring the mobile users altogether in the first place, slow page loading times, using non-responsive design, neglecting local SEO, and lastly, poorly optimized content.
How does user behavior on mobile devices affect rankings?
User behavior, such as bounce rate, time on site, and click-through rates, can significantly impact mobile rankings. A positive mobile user experience encourages longer visits and lower bounce rates, boosting your SEO performance.
How does mobile-first indexing by Google change the game of ranking tracking for mobile?
Since mobile version indexing begins before the desktop version, one of the direct results of mobile-first indexing is that a site’s ranking will become more favorable when using the mobile version. It simply means the mobile performance of a website has a direct impact on its SEO. In this case, you need to track mobile rank to measure and then optimize mobile search performance.
