Ahrefs tutorialHow to Track Local Keyword Rankings in Ahrefs
Learn how to track local keyword rankings in Ahrefs Rank Tracker by selecting the right city, ZIP code, or postal code and reviewing local results over time.
Quick answer
The quick answer
Add the keyword to an Ahrefs Rank Tracker project, then choose the location that matches the market you serve. Rank Tracker can track at country, state, city, ZIP code, or postal-code level. Filter the report to that location and use ranking history to assess movement in the local search context.
Visual guide
The Ahrefs path
Click through the real product screens used in the steps below.
Step-by-step
How to Track Local Keyword Rankings in Ahrefs
- 01
Create or open the Rank Tracker project for the site
Open Rank Tracker and choose the project for the business website. Use a project with the right target domain, since tracked keywords and their location settings belong to that project.
- 02
Add the local keywords you want to monitor
Use Add Keywords in the Keywords report and enter the terms you want to watch. Include priority service, product, and location-intent queries based on what customers actually search for.
- 03
Choose the local tracking location
Select the geographic area that represents the market. Ahrefs says Rank Tracker can track a country, state, city, ZIP code, or postal code. Use the smallest area that reflects the customer search context without overfitting the report to an irrelevant address.
- 04
Set the device view and tag the keyword group
Choose desktop, mobile, or both based on how the audience searches. Add tags when you need to separate a city, service line, or campaign from the rest of the tracker.
- 05
Filter to the location and review ranking history
In Rank Tracker, filter the report to the local location and review keyword positions, movement, and Position History. Keep the tracked location fixed while comparing reports so differences are not caused by switching markets.
Read the report
What the main metrics mean
Location
The geographic market, such as a city or ZIP code, used for the tracked search results.
Position
The latest recorded ranking for a tracked keyword in that location.
Change
Movement over the selected period within the same local tracking context.
Device
Desktop or mobile ranking data for the selected local market.
Before you continue
- Track the city, ZIP code, or postal code where customers actually search.
- Keep the location constant when comparing a ranking trend.
- Separate desktop and mobile reviews if the local audience uses both.
- Tag local service groups so the report stays actionable.
FAQ
Common questions
Can Ahrefs track keyword rankings by city?
Yes. Ahrefs states that Rank Tracker can track rankings at country, state, city, ZIP code, or postal-code level.
Can I track rankings by ZIP code in Ahrefs?
Yes. ZIP code and postal code are supported Rank Tracker location choices where available for the selected country.
Why do local Ahrefs rankings differ from what I see in Google?
Local Google results can vary by device, language, timing, and where the search is performed. Compare the exact tracked location and device before treating a difference as an error.
Should I use Site Explorer for local rank tracking?
Use Rank Tracker when you need a selected keyword list with city or ZIP-code tracking. Ahrefs says Site Explorer Organic Keywords is country-level, so it is less specific for local rank tracking.
Sources and further reading
This guide was checked against Ahrefs product documentation:
Reviewed by Filipe Lins DuarteCo-Founder & CEOVast experience talking to customers and users to understand what good software looks like. Background spans commercial and product roles.
Checked by John RiceCo-Founder & CTO15+ years building tech products and web applications. Conducted hundreds of user interviews to know what a good product looks like.
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