By Shad Super in Questions —

How Can the Performance of New Content Be Monitored Using the Average Position Metric in Google Search Console?

Summary

The average position metric in Google Search Console (GSC) provides insights into how your webpage ranks relative to other pages for specific queries over time. By monitoring this metric, you can evaluate the impact of new content on search performance and identify trends or areas needing improvement. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively use the average position metric in GSC.

Understanding Average Position in Google Search Console

Average position in GSC indicates the average ranking of your site’s URL for a specific query. It helps to understand where your content generally appears in Google Search results. This metric is calculated by averaging the positions of all individual search queries or URLs over a selected period.

For example, if your new article ranks at position 3 for one query and position 12 for another, the average position will be (3+12)/2 = 7.5.

Steps to Monitor Performance Using Average Position

Accessing Performance Reports

To access the average position metric:

  1. Log in to Google Search Console.
  2. Select the property (website) you want to analyze.
  3. Navigate to the Performance report tab. By default, this displays a summary of clicks, impressions, average CTR, and average position.

Detailed visuals and instructions can be found at Using Search Console, 2022.

Filtering for New Content

To focus specifically on new content, use the filter options:

  1. Select the Dates filter to choose the period after publishing your new content.
  2. Click on +New and choose Page to filter by the URL of the new content.

Applying these filters will help isolate the performance metrics for your new content.

Analyzing Average Position

Observe the trends in the average position of your new content over time. Consistent improvement in the average position suggests better visibility and potentially higher traffic.

  • If the average position is improving steadily, it indicates that your content is gaining relevance and authority.
  • A declining or stagnant average position may suggest that the content needs additional optimization or that there’s increasing competition.

Identifying Keywords

Under the Queries tab within the Performance report, you can see which keywords are driving traffic to your new content. Monitor the average position for these keywords:

  • Optimize your content further for high-impression keywords with lower average positions to boost their rankings.
  • Create additional content targeting variations or related keywords that show potential by attracting impressions but having a lower average position.

Consult the guide on SEO Starter Guide, 2022 for keyword optimization techniques.

Examples and Practical Application

Consider you’ve published a new blog post about "Best Hiking Trails." After a few weeks, you filter the GSC Performance report to see its URL and keyword performance:

  • You notice that the post has an average position of 8 for “best hiking trails for beginners” and 15 for “easy hikes near me.”
  • Recognizing the potential, you decide to improve on-page SEO for these keywords—updating title tags and meta descriptions, enhancing content depth, and building internal links.

By continually monitoring and acting on these insights, you can observe positive changes in the average position metrics for your new content over time.

Conclusion

Using the average position metric in Google Search Console allows you to track the search performance of new content. By regularly monitoring this data, applying SEO best practices, and refining content based on keyword performance, you can enhance your webpage's visibility and improve ranking. This ongoing optimization is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage in search rankings.

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