What is a search query?
Save the exact search phrase when you check a page's ranking.
Previously: How does SEO work? Begin with the words a person types into search.
One page, two different searches
A page has a position for a query, not one position for everything.
Record the exact phrase
What to noticePosition three can bring clicks on the narrow query even while the same page barely appears for the broad one.
A search query is the text someone submits to a search engine. It is the starting point of the query pipeline in the diagram.
“Bike repair,” “bike repair London” and “bike chain replacement” are different queries. They can return different pages and have different levels of competition.
Query and keyword
A keyword is a phrase you choose to research or track. A query is an actual search input. Your page may appear for the keyword you planned and for other wording you never selected.
When you save a ranking, record the query, page URL, country, device and date. A page can rank third for “bike chain slipping” and fortieth for “bike repair.”
Give the page a clear subject
A specific URL, title and heading identify the page’s claim. A page about chain replacement should clearly say so.
Related wording can belong on the same page. Repeating an exact phrase throughout the text adds no independent authority. The explanation should stay focused on its subject and be readable.
Inspect the returned pages
Search the phrase and save the ranking URLs. When comparing two phrases, use the same country and language and count the URLs they share.
That comparison tells you whether the actual result sets overlap. It is stronger evidence than assuming two queries are equivalent because they share a word.
Keep unexpected queries
After publication, open Search Console’s Performance report, filter by your page and select the Queries tab. It can show searches bringing impressions or clicks that you hadn’t planned for.
Save those queries separately from your planned keyword. They can help you choose the next related question to answer.
Save the exact search phrase when you check a page's ranking.