If you run a website-even a tiny one-you’ve probably wondered at least once: “Okay… what keywords am I actually ranking for?”Because let’s be honest, guessing doesn’t help. You need real data to improve your SEO, create better content, and understand whether Google even notices your site.
The good news? You don’t need to be an “SEO wizard.” There are a bunch of tools (some free, some paid) that literally tell you exactly what keywords your site is ranking for, how many clicks they bring, and where you stand on Google.
I’ve broken down everything I’ve learned over time-including both beginner methods and more advanced tricks.
1. Google Search Console (The Free, Accurate, Direct-from-Google Method)
If you want the straight answer:👉 Google Search Console (GSC) is the easiest and most reliable way to check your keyword rankings.
It literally shows the keywords people typed before clicking your site.
How to check:
- Open Google Search Console
- Go to Performance → Search Results
- Scroll down to the Queries section
You’ll now see:
- All your ranking keywords
- Clicks
- Impressions
- Average position
- CTR
It’s the closest thing to reading Google’s mind.
Why GSC is gold:
- 100% free
- Data comes directly from Google
- Shows hidden keywords you never knew you ranked for
- Helps you find “almost ranking” keywords (like position 11-20) to target for quick wins
Pro tip:Sort keywords by impressions – those are the actual opportunities you’re sleeping on.
2. Ahrefs (Paid but insanely powerful)
If you ask any SEO professional which tool they trust most for ranking keywords, most will say Ahrefs.
It shows:
- Every keyword your website ranks for
- The exact ranking changes
- Keyword difficulty
- Competitor keywords
How to check:
Open Ahrefs → Site Explorer → Enter your domain → Go to Organic Keywords
You’ll get a full list of your keyword rankings in seconds.
Why people love Ahrefs:
- It finds keywords Google Search Console sometimes hides
- Shows historical ranking changes
- Great for spying on competitors
If you’re serious about SEO, Ahrefs is kind of the industry standard.
3. SEMrush (Another powerful premium tool)
SEMrush is similar to Ahrefs but with a more marketing-style interface.
Go to:Domain Overview → Organic Search → Keywords
You’ll see:
- Keyword positions
- Volume
- SERP features
- Position changes
SEMrush also gives “easy-to-rank opportunities” which is super handy for content planning.
4. Ubersuggest (Cheaper but decent)
If Ahrefs and SEMrush feel expensive, Ubersuggest is a budget-friendly option.
Steps:
- Visit Ubersuggest
- Enter your URL
- Check Top SEO Pages or Keywords
You won’t get the ultra-deep data like in Ahrefs, but it’s good enough for small websites.
5. Manual Search (Not accurate but works for beginners)
A lot of beginners simply google their keywords and see where they appear.But here’s the thing:
❌ It’s not reliable❌ Your results are personalised❌ Your location affects rankings
If you want real results, always use a tool.
6. Keyword Rank Checker Tools (Free Online Tools)
Some genuinely useful free rank checkers:
- WhatsMySerp
- SERanking Free version
- Mangools KWFinder (limited free checks)
- SmallSEOTools
- SEOReviewTools Rank Checker
They’re not perfect, but good for quick checks.
7. Competitor Tools (To see keywords similar sites rank for)
If you want to know keywords for your website and similar ones in your niche, you can use:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- SimilarWeb
- SpyFu
Just enter a competitor’s domain and instantly see:
- Their top pages
- Their ranking keywords
- Their traffic sources
This helps you understand which keywords you should target next.
Signs Your Keyword Research is Working
Once you start checking keyword rankings regularly, you’ll begin to notice:
- Keywords slowly climbing from page 2 → page 1
- New keywords appearing
- More impressions in Google Search Console
- Higher CTR
This means Google is finally recognising your content.
Extra Tip: Find Keywords You Almost Rank For
This is one of the easiest ways to grow traffic fast.
In Google Search Console:
- Filter by Positions 8-20
These are keywords you’re so close to ranking on page 1 for.Optimise those pages and you can get quick, noticeable results.
Should You Do All This Yourself?
If this feels overwhelming (and trust me, it does for many), you can get a full keyword ranking audit done professionally.
👉 seocompanyjaipur.in provides keyword ranking reports, competitor keyword analysis, and complete SEO audits at a very affordable price.
It’s helpful if you:
- Don’t understand SEO tools
- Want a detailed keyword map
- Need monthly ranking updates
- Want to know your real opportunities
It saves a lot of time.
FAQs (Natural, Human-Sounding)
1. What’s the easiest way to find ranking keywords?
Google Search Console. It’s free, accurate, and simple.
2. How often should I check my keyword rankings?
Weekly or monthly is ideal. Daily checking will drive you crazy.
3. Are free tools enough?
For beginners – yes. For long-term SEO – paid tools are much better.
4. Why don’t I rank for my target keyword yet?
Maybe the competition is high, your content is weak, or the site is new. SEO takes time.
5. Can someone do this keyword research for me?
Yes. Agencies like seocompanyjaipur.in offer complete keyword ranking reports.
