Simple Steps to Retain Top Rankings Using Google Search Console
So, you’ve made to the top of Google rankings—congrats! But here’s the catch: staying at number one can be just as challenging as getting there. The good news? Maintaining your ranking is easier (and cheaper) than you think. All you need is a free tool you likely already have: Google Search Console.
Want to ensure your top-performing pages stay on top? Here’s a simple, actionable process to follow each month to avoid losing traffic and rankings.
How to Keep Your Top Rankings Using Google Search Console
Sign in to Google Search Console: Start by logging into your Google Search Console account. If you don’t have one, it’s quick and free to set up.
Check Performance: Once inside, go to the Performance section. Click on Search results and scroll down to Pages. This will show you which pages are currently bringing in the most visitors.
Analyze Traffic Trends: To track how these pages are performing over time, go to the Date filter, click Compare, select the last three months, and click Apply. Then scroll down to the Click differences section. This will help you identify which pages are losing traffic.
Dive Into Keywords: Click on the page that’s losing the most traffic. Go to Queries, and you’ll see all the keywords that this page is ranking for. Then, click on Click difference again to see which keywords are losing traffic.
Take Action on Keywords: Copy the keywords that are losing traffic, and paste them into a keyword research tool like SEMrush (or use a free option like Google Keyword Planner). Look at past trends—if the trend for a keyword is going down, there’s not much you can do. But if the trend is stable or rising and you’re losing traffic, it’s likely your competition is outranking you for that keyword.
Optimize Your Pages: Check if you’re actually using those keywords on your page. Do a Command + F search on the page to see if the keyword is present. If it’s not, make sure to incorporate it naturally into your content. This quick update can help restore your rankings.
Repeat Monthly: Go through this process once a month to ensure that you’re staying on top of your rankings and not losing valuable traffic.
Real-World Example: I use this process on my own sites every month to monitor which product pages are losing traffic. By re-optimizing pages based on this data, I’ve managed to retain high rankings for several competitive keywords over the years, ensuring a steady flow of visitors. Maintaining your top spot on Google doesn’t have to be a mystery. With regular check-ins using Google Search Console, you can easily track your performance, identify traffic dips, and take quick action to keep your rankings high. By focusing on keyword trends and optimizing pages as needed, you’ll stay ahead of the competition and continue driving traffic to your site. Make it a habit to follow these steps monthly, and you’ll ensure your most valuable pages remain at the top. In the ever-evolving world of SEO, consistency is key—and Google Search Console is your best tool for staying on track.
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