Win at Enterprise SEO: How to Track Keywords (The Smart Way)

December 6th, 2024
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The Boring Marketer

Enterprise keyword tracking often feels like trying to count grains of sand on a beach while the tide's coming in.

Not so fun, right?

That's because enterprise SEO isn't just regular SEO with more keywords. It's a whole different ball game. We're talking about tracking thousands (sometimes millions) of keywords across multiple domains, locations, and languages.

And, often, enterprise businesses struggle with accurate keyword tracking, leading to missed opportunities and revenue leaks.

From managing overwhelming keyword volumes to coordinating between marketing, IT, and content teams - tracking keywords for enterprise SEO can be difficult.

But don't worry, we've got you covered.

In this guide, we'll break down keyword and rank tracking for enterprise SEO into digestible chunks. Whether you're managing multiple brands or expanding globally, you'll learn exactly how to track keywords the smart way.

Importance Of Enterprise Keyword Tracking - What's the Big Deal?

Let's understand why enterprise keyword tracking is important:

  1. ROI measurement: By tracking keywords, you can see exactly which ones are bringing in the big bucks. We've helped clients increase their ROI by 300% just by focusing on the right keywords.
  1. Market share analysis: Want to know where you stand against your competitors? Keyword tracking gives you the intel.
  1. Performance tracking across multiple domains:  For big enterprises, this is crucial. It's like juggling multiple balls - you need to keep an eye on all of them.
  1. Brand visibility: Higher rankings = more eyeballs on your brand. It's simple math.
  1. Customer journey mapping:  Keywords tell you what your customers want at each stage of their journey. It's like mind-reading, but with data.

Let's look at Amazon, for example. They dominate because they track and optimize for millions of keywords. That's the power of enterprise keyword tracking.

Keyword Rank Tracking For Enterprise SEO - A Detailed Breakdown

Now that you've got a handle on the basics of enterprise SEO, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of keyword rank tracking:

#1 - How To Track Global Keyword Ranks?

Glass globe on a keyboard, symbolizing global keywords in digital marketing strategies worldwide.
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You can track your keyword rankings manually (though we wouldn't recommend it for enterprise-scale operations) as well as with resourceful tools. 

Let us walk you through both approaches.

Manual Tracking (The Free But Time-Consuming Way):

  • Open an incognito browser window. This prevents personalized results.
  • Go to the country-specific Google TLD where you want to check your rankings (e.g., google.co.uk for the UK). You can also use a VPN of a specific country you want to track your keywords for.
  • Type in your target keyword and start counting the results until you find your site.
  • Repeat steps 2-3 for every keyword and location you want to track.
  • Note positions and repeat the process daily/weekly for accurate tracking

Sounds tedious, right? That's because it is. enterprise SEO, you need something more robust.

The Smart Way: Using Keyword Rank Tracking Tools

If you want to track your global keyword rankings without losing your sanity, you need to use a rank-tracking tool. 

These tools make the process a breeze. Just set up a tracking campaign, add your keywords, and let the tool do the heavy lifting. 

Now let’s see which metrics to track when it comes to global keyword rankings using advanced tools:

Keyword Position Tracking

Think of keyword position tracking as your SEO report card. 

It shows the average position of your keywords in search results - basically, how visible you are to your target audience.

According to a study by Backlinko, the first position in Google's search results has an average clickthrough rate of 31.7%. That's why tracking matters.

Here's how to track positions using Semrush, one of the best rank-tracking tools for enterprise SEO:

  • Create a new position-tracking project
  • Add your domain and target location
  • Import your keyword list
  • Set up email notifications for ranking changes
  • Check the "Visibility Trend" report weekly

Here’s a video on the same:

Search Engine Monitoring

When you're playing in the enterprise league, you can't just focus on Google. Different markets prefer different search engines.

For example, Baidu owns 63.5% of China's search market share, according to Statista.

One of the top tools for tracking enterprise SEO keywords across search engines is Advanced Web Ranking.

Here’s how you can track your keyword rankings across search engines using the tool:

  • Create a new project for your website
  • Select target search engines (Google, Bing, Yandex, etc.)
  • Choose specific country versions (google.co.uk, google.de, etc.)
  • Import your keyword list (CSV works best)
  • Group keywords by topic or intent
  • Set tracking frequency (daily/weekly/monthly)
  • Select metrics to track (visibility score, average position, etc.)
  • Set up automated reports
  • Configure alert thresholds for ranking changes.

Here’s a video on the same:

Pro tip: Don't just track rankings - analyze them in context. A #1 position in Bing Australia might be more valuable than #3 in Google UK, depending on your market.

#2 - How To Track Local Keyword Ranks?

Local keyword rankings are crucial for enterprise websites targeting multiple locations. Think of them as your digital storefront signs in different neighborhoods. 

Here are two metrics to track for local enterprise SEO keywords:

Local Keyword Rankings

Local keyword rankings show how your website performs in different geographical locations. 

Why does this matter? Because a customer in New York might see different search results than someone in Los Angeles - even for the same keyword.

For enterprise websites, maintaining consistent visibility across locations is key to dominating local markets and achieving good enterprise SEO ROI.

We recommend using BrightLocal for tracking local keywords easily (if you’re a rookie with Google Search Console).

Here's how to track local rankings using BrightLocal:

  • Log into your BrightLocal account
  • Head to Location Manager
  • Verify your core information matches your Google Business Profile
  • Navigate to Rank Tracker
  • Input your target keywords
  • Set your tracking frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly)

Here’s a video on the same:

Pro tip: Start with tracking your most important keywords daily. You can always adjust the frequency based on your needs.

Local Search Grid Performance

The Local Search Grid is another tool from BrightLocal that helps in understanding how you rank in Google Maps results. It shows you exactly where you stand compared to competitors across different locations on maps.

Here's how to track your Local Search Grid performance:

  • Access your BrightLocal dashboard
  • Under Rankings, select Local Search Grid
  • Add your keywords
  • Set up tracking frequency

Here’s a video on the same:

Focus on tracking performance within a 5-mile radius of your business locations first. That's where most of your local customers will come from.

Remember to monitor both your organic rankings and Maps presence. They work together to give you the full picture of your local visibility.

4 More Enterprise SEO Keyword Metrics To Track For 2X Growth

Laptop displaying keyword metrics, surrounded by SEO elements: folders, charts, gears, and a key icon on a teal background.
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Now that we've covered the basics, let's dive into four more keyword metrics that'll help you crush your enterprise SEO ROI. These aren't your average metrics – they're the heavy hitters that separate the pros from the rookies.

Monthly Search Volume (MSV)

Think of MSV as your SEO compass. It shows you exactly how many people search for specific keywords each month. But here's the kicker – higher MSV doesn't always mean better results.

Fun fact: At Boring Marketing, we've seen keywords with lower MSV (100-500 searches) drive more conversions than those with 10,000+ searches.

Why? Intent alignment beats volume every time.

In fact, according to Ahrefs, only 0.0008% of keywords get more than 100,000 monthly searches. That's why we recommend targeting a mix of high and medium-volume keywords for balanced traffic growth.

Sometimes the "boring" approach wins big.

SERP Feature Presence

SERP features are like prime real estate on Google's first page. Different SERP features can make or break your visibility.

Here's what to track:

  • Which features appear for your target keywords
  • How stable these features are over time
  • Who owns these features (you or competitors)
  • Opportunities to capture new SERP features

Pro tip: Track feature stability over time. We've seen featured snippets flip-flop between competitors weekly. That's why we monitor ownership changes like hawks.

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

CTR tells you if people actually click on your results.

Position #1 doesn't guarantee clicks anymore – especially with all these SERP features stealing the show.

Remember this: A 5% CTR jump can mean thousands more visitors for enterprise sites.

We recently helped a client boost double their CTR and dominate international markets through a strategic international SEO strategy that was simple, but effective.

Want to see similar results and grow your business by 10x?
Contact us now!

Conversion Rate by Keyword

This is the money metric – literally.

It tells you which keywords actually drive business results.

Here's a quick example: Let's say we tracked the following two enterprise software keywords:

  • "enterprise CRM software" (2,000 MSV) = 0.5% conversion rate
  • "CRM for large sales teams" (200 MSV) = 3.2% conversion rate

The lower-volume keyword drove 3x more qualified leads. That's why we always say: track what matters, not what looks good on paper.

So, keep track of:

  • Which keywords drive actual sales
  • How conversion rates change over time
  • The relationship between search intent and conversions

Remember, the key to enterprise SEO success isn't tracking everything – it's tracking the right things.

Enterprise SEO Keyword & Rank Tracking Tools: How To Pick Winners?

Now, talk about picking the right enterprise SEO tools for tracking keywords.

Trust us, after helping countless enterprises track millions of keywords, we know this isn't a decision you want to get wrong.

Features to Consider

First things first - you need tools that can handle enterprise-level demands. 

When choosing a tool, here's what really matters:

  • Number of keywords: You need a tool that can track 50K+ keywords without breaking a sweat. Anything less, and you're leaving money on the table.
  • Location targeting: Global business? Your tool should track rankings across countries, states, and cities.
  • Ranking accuracy: Daily rank updates are crucial. Weekly updates? That's like driving with your eyes closed.
  • Custom reporting: Your C-suite won't wade through raw data. Look for tools that create executive-friendly reports automatically.
  • Data integrations: SQL and API access are non-negotiable for enterprise BI teams. Period.

Pricing Tiers

 Illustration of software pricing and analytics for enterprise SEO: figures with calculator and money bag, representing cost analysis.
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Pricing is usually volume-based. That means more keywords = higher costs.

But don't let that scare you.

Think about it this way: if a tool helps you improve rankings for just 1% of your high-value keywords, it's probably paid for itself already.

Most enterprise tools offer:

  • Base packages starting at $XX/month
  • Custom enterprise quotes for a higher volume of keywords
  • Multi-user access options

Our Top 6 Picks That Are Worth Every Penny

So, which tools are worth their weight in gold?

Here are our top 6 picks:

  1. SEMrush - Robust rank tracker but can be costly at enterprise scale
  2. Ahrefs - Another powerful option, but watch out for those enterprise-level prices
  3. BrightLocal - Great for local SEO, but may not have the horsepower for giant keyword sets
  4. BrightEdge - Enterprise SEO tools with custom reporting that'll make your data dreams come true
  5. Google Search Console - It's free, which is great for your budget but not so great if you're a rookie
  6. Google Keyword Planner - Great for research, but limited in capabilities compared to paid tools. Not a good option for tracking.

At the end of the day, the right tool for you depends on your unique needs and budget.

But if you want our two cents, investing in a robust, accurate, and scalable rank-tracking tool is worth every penny.

How To Handle Analytics in Enterprise SEO - From Chaos to Clear Insights

With thousands of keywords, multiple locations, and countless data points, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But here's the thing: managing enterprise analytics doesn't have to be complicated.

Track Core Metrics

First things first - you need to know what moves the needle.

We focus on three key areas:

  • Rankings: Track position changes across your keyword universe
  • Traffic: Monitor organic sessions, user behavior, and engagement
  • Conversions: Measure leads, sales, and revenue from organic search

Pro tip: Don't just track rankings - tie them to business impact.

A #1 ranking means nothing if it doesn't drive revenue!

Segment Data Strategically

Here's where most enterprise SEO programs go wrong - they track everything but understand nothing.

The secret sauce? Smart segmentation.

Break down your data by:

  • Business units/product lines
  • Geographic regions
  • Device types
  • Search intent
  • Landing page types

This granular view helps identify exactly what's working (and what's not) across your enterprise ecosystem.

Create Flexible Keyword Tracking Scheduling

Green calendar with hand marking tasks, illustrating scheduling keyword tracking and planning across a weekly timeline.
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Not all keywords need daily tracking.

Try using a tiered approach:

  • Priority keywords: Tracking every 2-3 days
  • Secondary terms: Weekly monitoring
  • Long-tail: Monthly checks

This balanced approach saves money while still catching important trends.

Speaking of costs, enterprise rank tracking can get expensive quickly. Focus your budget on keywords that matter most to your bottom line.

Automate Reporting

Nobody wants to spend hours building reports. Automation is your friend here.

Set up:

  • Real-time dashboards for key stakeholders
  • Automated email reports with custom metrics
  • Alert systems for significant changes
  • API connections to pipe data where needed

Remember: The goal isn't just data collection - it's driving action. Make sure your reports answer the "so what?" and "now what?" questions.

Enterprise Growth With SEO 2.0 - It's More Than Just Keywords!

Successful enterprise SEO requires having the right tools. You need to track multiple metrics beyond just keywords to understand performance holistically. 

Establishing clear tracking processes ensures you capture meaningful data. Then comes analysis and optimization based on those insights.

It's admittedly more involved than just targeting a few money keywords. But taking an analytical approach is the only way to drive sustainable growth. 

At Boring Marketing, our data-driven SEO strategies combine the right tools to track all metrics that matter. We establish clear processes for regular monitoring and in-depth performance analysis. 

The result? Rapid growth that's noticeable AND sustainable!

Connect with us for '30-Day SEO Sprint for Rapid Growth’!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many keywords should you track for SEO?

When conducting rank tracking for enterprise SEO, we usually recommend tracking your top 10-20 keywords to start. As your efforts gain traction, gradually expand your tracked list to 50-100 keywords. Just ensure you have the bandwidth to analyze performance data and iterate on underperforming terms.

What is an example of enterprise SEO?

A global software company optimizing product and service pages for commercial buyer keywords like “workflow automation tools,” “legacy system migration,” and “ERP implementation services” is enterprise SEO. The focus is less on vanity brand terms and more on commercial intent keywords with high buyer value.

What Is The ROI For Enterprise SEO?

Enterprise SEO ROI for companies selling high-ticket offerings can often exceed 10-20X. The key is tracking not just traffic lifts but also downstream funnel and revenue metrics tied to SEO channels. Sophisticated attribution modeling is essential.

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