| name | rank-tracker |
| description | Tracks and analyzes keyword ranking positions over time for both traditional search results and AI-generated responses. Monitors ranking changes, identifies trends, and alerts on significant movements. |
Rank Tracker
This skill helps you track, analyze, and report on keyword ranking positions over time. It monitors both traditional SERP rankings and AI/GEO visibility to provide comprehensive search performance insights.
When to Use This Skill
- Setting up ranking tracking for new campaigns
- Monitoring keyword position changes
- Analyzing ranking trends over time
- Comparing rankings against competitors
- Tracking SERP feature appearances
- Monitoring AI Overview inclusions
- Creating ranking reports for stakeholders
What This Skill Does
- Position Tracking: Records and tracks keyword rankings
- Trend Analysis: Identifies ranking patterns over time
- Movement Detection: Flags significant position changes
- Competitor Comparison: Benchmarks against competitors
- SERP Feature Tracking: Monitors featured snippets, PAA
- GEO Visibility Tracking: Tracks AI citation appearances
- Report Generation: Creates ranking performance reports
How to Use
Set Up Tracking
Set up rank tracking for [domain] targeting these keywords: [keyword list]
Analyze Rankings
Analyze ranking changes for [domain] over the past [time period]
Compare to Competitors
Compare my rankings to [competitor] for [keywords]
Generate Reports
Create a ranking report for [domain/campaign]
Data Sources
See CONNECTORS.md for tool category placeholders.
With ~~SEO tool + ~~search console + ~~analytics + ~~AI monitor connected:
Automatically pull ranking positions from ~~SEO tool, search impressions/clicks from ~~search console, traffic data from ~~analytics, and AI Overview citation tracking from ~~AI monitor. Daily automated rank checks with historical trend data.
With manual data only:
Ask the user to provide:
- Keyword ranking positions (current and historical if available)
- Target keyword list with search volumes
- Competitor domains and their ranking positions for key terms
- SERP feature status (featured snippets, PAA appearances)
- AI Overview citation data (if tracking GEO metrics)
Proceed with the full analysis using provided data. Note in the output which metrics are from automated collection vs. user-provided data.
Instructions
When a user requests rank tracking or analysis:
-
Set Up Keyword Tracking
## Rank Tracking Setup
### Tracking Configuration
**Domain**: [domain]
**Tracking Location**: [country/city]
**Device**: [Mobile/Desktop/Both]
**Language**: [language]
**Update Frequency**: [Daily/Weekly/Monthly]
### Keywords to Track
| Keyword | Volume | Current Rank | Type | Priority |
|---------|--------|--------------|------|----------|
| [keyword 1] | [vol] | [rank] | Primary | High |
| [keyword 2] | [vol] | [rank] | Primary | High |
| [keyword 3] | [vol] | [rank] | Secondary | Medium |
| [keyword 4] | [vol] | [rank] | Long-tail | Medium |
| [keyword 5] | [vol] | [rank] | Brand | High |
### Competitor Tracking
Track these competitors for benchmark:
1. [Competitor 1] - [domain]
2. [Competitor 2] - [domain]
3. [Competitor 3] - [domain]
### Tracking Categories
| Category | Keywords | Description |
|----------|----------|-------------|
| Brand | [X] | Brand name variations |
| Product | [X] | Product-related terms |
| Informational | [X] | Educational queries |
| Commercial | [X] | Buying intent terms |
-
Record Current Rankings
## Current Ranking Snapshot
**Date**: [date]
**Domain**: [domain]
### Ranking Overview
| Position Range | Keyword Count | % of Total |
|----------------|---------------|------------|
| #1 | [X] | [X]% |
| #2-3 | [X] | [X]% |
| #4-10 | [X] | [X]% |
| #11-20 | [X] | [X]% |
| #21-50 | [X] | [X]% |
| #51-100 | [X] | [X]% |
| Not ranking | [X] | [X]% |
### Position Distribution
Position 1: ████████ [X] keywords
Position 2-3: ██████ [X] keywords
Position 4-10: ████████████████ [X] keywords
Position 11-20: ████████████ [X] keywords
Position 21+: ██████████ [X] keywords
### Detailed Rankings
| Keyword | Position | URL | SERP Features | Change |
|---------|----------|-----|---------------|--------|
| [kw 1] | 3 | [url] | Featured Snippet | +2 ↑ |
| [kw 2] | 7 | [url] | PAA | -1 ↓ |
| [kw 3] | 12 | [url] | None | New |
| [kw 4] | 1 | [url] | Featured Snippet | — |
-
Analyze Ranking Changes
Validation Checkpoints
Input Validation
Output Validation
Example
User: "Analyze my ranking changes for the past month"
Output:
# Ranking Analysis: December 2024
## Summary
Your average position improved from 15.3 to 12.8 (-2.5 positions = better)
Keywords in top 10 increased from 12 to 17 (+5)
## Biggest Wins
| Keyword | Old | New | Change | Why |
|---------|-----|-----|--------|-----|
| email marketing tips | 18 | 5 | +13 | Content refresh worked |
| best crm software | 24 | 11 | +13 | New backlinks acquired |
| sales automation | 15 | 7 | +8 | Schema markup added |
## Needs Attention
| Keyword | Old | New | Change | Action |
|---------|-----|-----|--------|--------|
| marketing automation | 4 | 12 | -8 | Competitor HubSpot published new guide |
**Recommended**: Update your marketing automation guide with 2024 statistics and examples.
Tips for Success
- Track consistently - Same time, same device, same location
- Include enough keywords - 50-200 for meaningful data
- Segment by intent - Track brand, commercial, informational separately
- Monitor competitors - Context makes your data meaningful
- Track SERP features - Position 1 without snippet may lose to position 4 with snippet
- Include GEO metrics - AI visibility increasingly important
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