What is a Good Average Position in Google Search Console?

In today’s competitive digital landscape, visibility in search results can make or break your online success. Google Search Console (GSC) offers powerful insights into how your website performs in search results, with “average position” being one of the most crucial metrics to monitor.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what average position truly means, how to interpret this metric effectively, and actionable strategies to improve your rankings.

What Does Average Position Mean in Google Search Console?

Average position represents the typical ranking of your website in Google’s search results across all keywords you rank for. It’s calculated by finding the position of every keyword your site ranks for and then determining the mathematical average.

For example, if your website ranks:

• Position 1 for “custom web design Atlanta”
• Position 5 for “Atlanta website developer”
• Position 12 for “best web design company”

Your average position would be 6 ((1+5+12)/3 = 6).

This metric provides valuable insights into your overall search visibility, but as we’ll discuss later, it should never be viewed in isolation.

The Significance of Average Position

Understanding your average position helps you:

1. Track SEO progress over time: Decreasing average position numbers (moving closer to position 1) indicate improving visibility
2. Identify potential issues: Sudden increases may signal technical problems or algorithm updates affecting your site
3. Benchmark against competitors: Compare your position against industry averages
4. Prioritize optimization efforts: Focus on keywords that are close to reaching page one

What About Position 0?

Within Google Search Console, positions are numbered starting from 1. However, SEO professionals often refer to “position 0” when discussing featured snippets—those highlighted answer boxes appearing above traditional search results.

While not officially labeled as position 0 in GSC, featured snippets offer incredible visibility advantages:

• They appear above position 1
• They occupy significantly more screen space
• They often include images or formatted text
• They may provide direct answers without requiring users to click through

Earning featured snippets requires creating content specifically formatted to answer questions concisely and authoritatively.

How to Find Average Position Data in Google Search Console

Follow these steps to access your average position metrics:

1. Log into Google Search Console at search.google.com/search-console
2. Select your property from the dropdown menu
3. Navigate to “Performance” in the left sidebar
4. Click the “Average position” checkbox in the graph section
5. Analyze the data by date range, query, page, country, or device
6. Export the data for deeper analysis by clicking the download icon

Pro tip: Use the comparison feature to see how your position has changed over different time periods by selecting “Compare” and choosing your desired date ranges.

What is Considered a Good Average Position?

Rather than seeking a one-size-fits-all answer, consider these benchmarks:

However, these numbers alone don’t tell the full story. Consider these important contextual factors:

1. Search Intent and Click-Through Rate

Different positions generate dramatically different click-through rates based on search intent:

• Navigational queries (searching for a specific brand): Position 1 may capture 80%+ of clicks
• Informational queries (seeking knowledge): Positions 1-3 may share clicks more evenly
• Commercial queries (researching products): Users often explore multiple results, distributing clicks across positions 1-5

2. Keyword Value and Competition

Not all keywords are created equal:

• A position 5 ranking for a high-volume, high-conversion keyword might be more valuable than a position 1 ranking for a low-traffic term
• Some highly competitive keywords may take months or years to reach position 1
• Long-tail keywords with lower competition can provide quicker wins

3. SERP Features Impact

Modern search results pages include numerous features that affect click distribution:

• Featured snippets
• Knowledge panels
• People Also Ask boxes
• Local packs
• Shopping results
• Image carousels

Your average position calculation doesn’t account for how these features might push organic results further down the page.

5 Actionable Strategies to Improve Your Average Position

If you’re looking to boost your rankings, implement these proven tactics:

1. Conduct a Content Gap Analysis

Identify keywords where competitors outrank you and create superior content addressing those topics. Focus on:

• Greater depth and comprehensiveness
• More recent data and statistics
• Enhanced visual elements
• Better formatting and readability

2. Optimize On-Page Elements

Ensure your targeted keywords appear naturally in:

• Page titles (ideally near the beginning)
• H1 and H2 headings
• First 100 words of content
• Image alt text
• Meta descriptions (doesn’t directly impact rankings but improves CTR)

3. Build Quality Backlinks

Earn authoritative links through:

• Creating original research and data
• Developing shareable infographics
• Guest posting on industry publications
• Creating linkable assets (tools, calculators, comprehensive guides)

4. Improve Page Experience Signals

Address technical factors affecting rankings:

• Optimize Core Web Vitals (loading speed, interactivity, visual stability)
• Ensure mobile-friendliness
• Fix crawl errors and broken links
• Implement proper schema markup
• Secure your site with HTTPS

5. Target Featured Snippet Opportunities

To earn position 0:

• Identify questions your audience is asking
• Structure content with clear headings and concise answers
• Use lists, tables, and steps when appropriate
• Answer the primary question within the first paragraph

Using Average Position Data Effectively

To gain maximum value from your average position metrics:

Filter by Query Type

Segment your data by:

• Branded vs. non-branded queries
• Short-tail vs. long-tail keywords
• Informational vs. commercial keywords

This provides more actionable insights than looking at the overall average alone.

Analyze Position Distribution

Instead of fixating on the average, examine the distribution of your rankings:

• What percentage of keywords rank in positions 1-3?
• What percentage rank in positions 4-10?
• What keywords are “almost there” (positions 11-15)?

This helps identify specific optimization opportunities.

Track Position Changes Over Time

Monitor trends in your average position:

• Is it steadily improving?
• Did it suddenly change after a Google update?
• Does it fluctuate seasonally?

Use the comparison feature in GSC to visualize these changes clearly.

Common Average Position Misconceptions

Avoid these frequent misunderstandings:

Misconception 1: Lower is Always Better

While a lower average position generally indicates better visibility, optimizing solely for position can lead to targeting irrelevant keywords that don’t generate qualified traffic or conversions.

Misconception 2: Average Position Equals Visibility

Your average position doesn’t account for search volume. Ranking #1 for a rarely searched term contributes the same to your average as ranking #1 for a high-volume keyword.

Misconception 3: Position is Static

Rankings fluctuate constantly due to:

• Algorithm updates
• Competitor activities
• Seasonal factors
• User location
• Personalization factors

A single average position number doesn’t capture this variability.

Conclusion: Beyond Average Position

While average position provides valuable insights into your SEO performance, it represents just one piece of a complex puzzle. To truly understand and improve your search visibility:

1. Focus on positions for specific high-value keywords rather than overall averages
2. Consider position in context with impressions, clicks, and click-through rates
3. Prioritize conversions and business outcomes over rankings alone
4. Implement a comprehensive SEO strategy addressing technical, content, and authority factors

Remember that sustainable SEO success comes from providing exceptional value to users—not just chasing rankings.