Conflicting average position data from Google Search Console?
-
I'm looking at Google Search Console data in Google Analytics, specifically Average Position as given in the Landing Page report, and the same metric broken out by mobile and desktop in the Devices report.
In the Landing Page report, I see an aggregated average position that's much higher/worse than an actual average of what is reported for mobile, desktop and tablet traffic under the Device reporting.
For example:
- Mobile: 5
- Desktop: 5
- Tablet: 5
So the average still should be roughly 5, right? Why would the Landing Page then show an aggregate Average Position of 8? I wouldn't expect to see a precisely same average given that different device types have different proportions that could render differently when the buckets are combined, but this is a huge swing. In fact, the aggregate Average Position as given in the top level Devices report is closer to 5 than to the 8 shown in the Landing Pages report. (These aren't actual numbers, but are illustrative of what I'm seeing, by the way.) Unless I'm missing some vital difference in the way that Average Position is reporting for the Landing Page report versus the Device reports, it doesn't seem like this should be possible. What am I missing?
-
Howdy.
So, here are my thoughts and findings.
The discrepancy starts in Google Search itself. So it's either algorithmical/calculational bug or there are other metrics used. And i'm inclined to believe the second version.
Here is my idea - they use sessions or clicks as a metric together with avg position. As far as I know they use this system in other metrics as well. So, here is data for our website, which checks out with all the reports:
I got a page https://www.regexseo.com/luxury-websites-houston.php and the avg position reported is 22. If i look at the breakdown, it's got 96% of traffic going to desktop and 22 avg position, 2% to mobile with 15 avg position and 0.05% tablet with 14 avg position.
So, the report checks out, if you think about it like this:
If to 96% of users your page is ranking #22, and to 2% of users it ranks in #15, wouldn't it make sense to say that on average your page is ranked #22.I guess it's more like a weighed avg position then pure avg position.
Hope it makes sense
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Google Analytics Numbers Are Weird
Hi, I'm having a strange problem from past one month. My website gets about 10k pageviews a month with an average bounce rate of 50%. Lately, I observed a strange thing. The avg time on page of visitors from selected countries is less than 1 second and the bounce rate is zero!! How is this possible? This is happening from past one month and it would be really helpful if you guys could tell me what exactly is happening?? Ive attached a screenshot for better understanding. website url : https://www.specbee.com/ fIAXXgF 3zQuBAN
Reporting & Analytics | | ganesh10 -
Search console Search Analytics devices not showing mobile and tablet data since July 29th, have anyone noticed that too?
If you filter for devices in the search analytics at search console you get that from July 29th all the data is tagged as desktop and mobile and tablet have no data from that date. I see that for all my websites I have search console for, any input on that?
Reporting & Analytics | | amirbt0 -
Setting up goals in Google Analytics
Hello! This question is seems so obvious that I'm also ashamed to ask... almost. If the goal of a website is to have a visitor complete a contact form, when setting up the Goal in Google Analytics (as a "URL destination") the URL of choice would be the form's thank you page, correct? Because that's the page that proves the visitor completed the task we want them the achieve. Right? Thanks!
Reporting & Analytics | | SmileMoreSEO
Erik0 -
Google WebMasters Tool - Preferred Domain
I just added Google Analytics to my wordpress site with Google Analytics by YOAST. I then added Google WebMaster tools through via verify through google analytics account. I then tried to set a preferred domain. I chose the non www. version; however, google wanted me to verify ownership of both versions in order to set a preferred domain. I then added the www. version of my domain. I was able to set the non-www. version to my preferred domain. Now, there are two example.com's in my webmaster tools. I have 10 sites. I intend to replicate this process on all of my sites. Do I have to leave the non-preferred version of my sites in the google webmaster? Can I delete it after I have set my preferred version? If I delete the non-preferred version will it delete my setting on the preferred version because it is now no longer verified (saved)?
Reporting & Analytics | | JML11791 -
Advanced segements Google Analytics
Hi guys, I was to hasty last time marking the given question as answered. So i would like to ask another question on the subject. My original question was how to get a pdf report of 10 specific keywords with information about visits,pages per view. avg, visit time, new visitors and bounce rate. The answer was to create an advanced segment with "or operators" and adding all keywords on an exact match basis. I did this but it still gives me a list of more then 500 keywords in traffic sources organic view. Next to that i get different visitor numbers for some keywords where it says 40 at the normal segments (all visits) but gives me 0 when i turn on the advanced segment. I've been clicking and changing things for a long time until i got almost dizzy. Could someone plz help?
Reporting & Analytics | | 5MMedia0 -
Disclaimer about using Google Analytic?
When using GA on my Website do I need to have a disclaimer that 'We are using Google Analtyic to Track information'?
Reporting & Analytics | | daracreative0 -
Tracing Google Analytics 'goal' back to original search phrase
I added Goals to my Google Analytics tracking. It's working; I get visitors who have completed Goals showing up in the reporting. My question is: Is it possible to trace backwards from a completed Goal to the original search phrase a user entered in Google to come to my site (for those who entered from Google.com via organic search result)? I'm trying to answer the question of which search phrases are resulting in completed Goals (as opposed to bouncing off the site or just any behaviour other than completing a Goal). It seems like this should be one of Analytics' default reports -- help identify which search phrases are converting well. It's probably there and I'm just not seeing it... Thanks.
Reporting & Analytics | | scanlin0 -
Search within search? Weird google URLs
Good morning afternoon, how are you guys doing today? I'm experiencing a few Panda issues I'm trying to fix, and I was hoping I could get some help here about one of my problems. I used Google analytics to extract pages people land on after a Google search. I'm trying to identify thin pages that potentially harm my website as a whole. It turns out I have a bunch of pages in the likes of the following: /search?cd=15&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&source=www.google .co.uk, and so on for a bunch of countries (.fi, .com, .sg, .pk, and so on, maybe 50 of them) My question is: what are those pages? their stats are awful, usually 1 visitor, 100% bounce rate, and 0 links. Do you think they can explain my dramatic drop in traffic following Panda? If so, what should I do with them? NOINDEX? Deletion? What would you suggest? I also have a lot of links in the likes of the following: /google-search?cx=partner-pub-6553421918056260:armz8yts3ql&cof=FORID:10&ie=ISO-8859-1&sa=Search&siteurl=www.mysite.com/content/article They lead to custom search pages. What should I do with them? Almost two weeks ago, Dr. Pete posted an article untitled Fat Panda and Thin Content in which he deals with "search within search" and how they might be targeted by Panda. Do you think this is the issue I'm facing? Any suggestion/help would be much appreciated! Thanks a lot and have a great day 🙂
Reporting & Analytics | | Ericc220