Rank Tracker

Tracks keyword positions, SERP feature ownership, and AI visibility over time.

Quick Start

Set up rank tracking for [domain] targeting these keywords: [keyword list]

Analyze ranking changes for [domain] over the past [time period]

Skill Contract

Expected output: a ranking report or delta summary plus the standard handoff summary for memory/monitoring/.

• Reads: current rankings, prior baselines, target keyword list, locale/language/device/engine, snapshot/source refs, observation times/windows, stable page/content bindings, and any user-provided or tool metrics.
• Writes: a user-facing monitoring deliverable and reusable summary.
• Promotes: significant changes, confirmed anomalies, follow-up actions, and pending decisions to memory/open-loops.md.
• Done when: every tracked keyword shows a current, context-matched position vs baseline with a labeled delta, or Unknown/NEEDS_REFRESH with its reason; each observation cites its source ref, observed time, window, locale/language/device/engine, evidence label, and ranking page ref; conflicts remain visible; and biggest movers and likely causes are named.
• Primary next skill: performance-monitor when recurring monitoring should become automated.

Handoff Summary

> Emit the standard shape from skill-contract.md §Handoff Summary Format.

Data Sources

All integrations optional (see CONNECTORS.md). With tools, pull rankings from ~~SEO tool, impressions from ~~search console, traffic from ~~analytics, and AI citations from ~~AI monitor. Without tools, ask for positions, volumes, competitor data, and SERP feature status.

Zero-dependency measurement loop (no paid tool needed): never narrate a ranking movement you did not measure — record each check as a snapshot and let the ledger compute the delta. python3 "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/connectors/ledger.py" record <domain> --source rank --data '{"<keyword>": <position>, ...}', then ledger.py diff <domain> --source rank for the change since the last check and ledger.py trend <domain> --source rank --field "<keyword>" for the series. Record real Search Console positions when connected, or the positions the user provides at Tier 1. A ranking delta is a week-scale, confounded outcome — attribute it against a control (a holdout keyword/competitor), not against zero; see references/measurement-protocol.md. See scripts/connectors/README.md.

Decision Gates

Stop and ask the user when:

• No target keywords are provided and none can be inferred from CLAUDE.md or prior monitoring records — offer: (1) supply a keyword list, (2) track the domain's top known terms, (3) cancel.

Continue silently (never stop for):

• No prior baseline exists — record the current run as the baseline, label all positions as the first snapshot, and proceed (do not invent a "previous" position).
• Missing optional tool data (SERP features, AI citations) — mark N/A and proceed.

Instructions

When a user requests rank tracking or analysis:

1. Set Up Keyword Tracking — configure domain, market/locale, device, language, engine, update frequency, priorities, competitor watchlist, and stable page refs. Apply the SEO/GEO Evidence and Cycle Control Profile.
2. Record Current Rankings — output a position table where every row cites its source (tool export / user-provided / estimated), with position ranges, ranking URLs, feature ownership, and movement vs baseline.
3. Analyze Ranking Changes — highlight biggest wins, declines, stable terms, new rankings, lost rankings, likely causes, and recovery ideas; each delta labeled against its baseline.
4. Track SERP Features — compare ownership of snippets, PAA, image/video packs, local packs, and related feature shifts.
5. Track GEO / AI Visibility — monitor AI Overview presence, citation rate, citation position, and trend; mark each value Measured (from an ~~AI monitor) or N/A if unobserved.
6. Compare Against Competitors — report share of voice, head-to-head comparisons, and threat levels.
7. Generate Ranking Report — output overall trend, key wins, concerns, opportunities, SERP feature changes, GEO visibility, and recommendations, with each metric carrying its source tag.

Label every metric Measured, User-provided, Calculated, Estimated, Proxy, or Unknown; never present an estimate or proxy as measured. An applicable missing metric is Unknown with its reason. A stale or locale/language/device/engine-mismatched position is NEEDS_REFRESH, not a current ranking; N/A is only for a genuinely non-applicable field.

> Reference: See Ranking Analysis Templates for the complete output templates for all seven steps.

Example

A ranking report names the biggest winners, biggest drops, and next actions, with each position carrying its source tag and labeled delta against baseline.

Rank Change Quick Reference

Response Protocol

| Change | Timeframe | Action | |--------|-----------|--------| | Drop 1-3 positions | Wait 1-2 weeks | Monitor — may be normal fluctuation | | Drop 3-5 positions | Investigate within 1 week | Check technical issues and competitor changes | | Drop 5-10 positions | Investigate immediately | Run a full diagnostic: technical, content, links | | Drop off page 1 | Emergency response | Comprehensive audit + recovery plan | | Position gained | Document and learn | Identify what worked and replicate |

> Reference: See Tracking Setup Guide for tracking setup, root-cause taxonomy, CTR benchmarks, SERP feature impact, and algorithm-update assessment.

Save Results

Ask "Save these results?" If yes, write to memory/monitoring/ — see Skill Contract §Save Results Template.

Reference Materials

• SEO/GEO Evidence and Cycle Control Profile — exact search observations, freshness, page bindings, and cycle rules
• Tracking Setup Guide — Setup rules, feature tracking, and interpretation guidance

Next Best Skill

Initial setup (no baseline) → performance-monitor. Subsequent runs (baseline exists) → Terminal. Visited-set rule applies per skill-contract.md.