How to find keywords your site ranks for

Want to see which search terms your website is already ranking for? You can use Google Search Console to quickly view the exact keywords driving impressions and clicks. Follow these steps to find your ranking keywords accurately.

1. Log in to Google Search Console

Go to search.google.com/search-console.
Log in with the Google account connected to your website.
Select the correct property from the dropdown.

2. Open the Performance Report

In the left-hand menu, click Performance.
Click Search results.
You’ll now see data for clicks, impressions, average CTR, and average position.

3. Ensure “Queries” Is Selected

At the top of the report, make sure Queries is selected.
This tab displays the keywords your site appears for in Google search results.
Expand the data table to reveal detailed performance metrics for each search term.

4. Adjust the Date Range

Click the Date filter at the top.
Choose a relevant period (e.g., last 28 days, last 3 months).
Click Apply.

Tip: Use a longer timeframe for a broader keyword overview.

5. Sort by Impressions or Clicks

Click the Total impressions column to see which keywords your site appears for most often.
Click Total clicks to see which keywords drive the most traffic.
You can also review Average position to identify ranking opportunities.

6. Filter by Page (Optional)

To see keywords for a specific page:

Click Add filter at the top of the report.
Select Page.
Enter the full URL of the page.
Click Apply.

You’ll now see only the keywords that page ranks for.

7. Export the Keyword Data

Click the Export button in the top-right corner.
Choose your preferred format (Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV).
Download the file for further analysis or reporting.

8. Identify Optimisation Opportunities

Look for keywords ranking in positions 8–20 (page 1–2).
Prioritise keywords with high impressions but low clicks.
Update content to improve rankings and CTR.

What is Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps website owners monitor how their site performs in search results. It provides data on clicks, impressions, average click-through rate (CTR), and average ranking position for the keywords your site appears for. One of its most valuable features is the Performance report, where you can see exactly which search queries trigger your pages in Google. Unlike third-party SEO tools, Search Console shows real data directly from Google, making it highly reliable for tracking keyword visibility. You can filter results by page, country, device, or date range to gain deeper insights. Whether you’re monitoring SEO progress, identifying new keyword opportunities, or diagnosing ranking drops, Google Search Console gives you essential visibility into how users find your website.

Benefits of using Google Search Console to find keywords your site ranks for

Using Google Search Console to find ranking keywords helps you uncover visibility opportunities, measure SEO performance, and prioritise content improvements based on real search data.

1. Access Accurate, First-party Keyword Data

Search Console provides keyword data directly from Google, meaning you’re analysing real impressions and clicks rather than estimates. This gives you a trustworthy view of which queries your site appears for and how often users engage with your content.

2. Identify Quick-win Optimisation Opportunities

By reviewing average positions, you can spot keywords ranking on the bottom of page one or top of page two. Small content updates, improved internal linking, or better meta descriptions can help push these keywords higher and increase traffic.

3. Understand User Intent and Search Behaviour

The Queries report reveals the actual language users type into Google. This helps you refine your content strategy, adjust headings and copy to match search intent, and discover related keyword opportunities you may not have initially targeted.