Definition
Average position in Google Search Console represents the average ranking of your site in search results for queries where it appears. An average position of 1.0 means you are consistently first, while a position of 15.0 means you are on average in the middle of the second page. Average position is calculated by considering the best position obtained by your site for each query. It is a useful global indicator for tracking progression trends, but it can be misleading: a site may have a stable average position of 8 while making significant progress on strategic queries if new high-volume queries enter its radar with low positions.
Key Points
- Average ranking in Google SERPs, available in Search Console
- Trend indicator to analyze over time and by query segment
- Can be misleading if analyzed globally: always segment by query or query group
Practical Examples
Progress tracking
After 4 months of link building campaign on LemmiLink, the overall average position goes from 22.5 to 14.8, indicating progression in Google rankings.
Segment analysis
The overall average position is stable at 12, but segment analysis reveals commercial queries moved from position 18 to 9, while informational queries declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not just look at the overall average position. Segment by query groups (brand vs generic, informational vs commercial) to understand where your site is actually progressing. A stable overall average position can mask strong variations by segment.
Quality backlinks improve your domain and page authority, which progressively improves ranking on targeted queries. The impact is generally visible 2-4 months after link acquisition.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07