9 Free Tools Best for Tracking SEO Performance on Google

In March 2024, Google’s algorithm update caused a 40% drop in rankings for thousands of websites, leaving digital marketers scrambling for answers. The SEO landscape has never been more uncertain, with businesses either rising to the top or crashing down the rankings. It’s a digital Wild Wild West, and tracking website SEO performance has become a survival skill.

By Andrew Juma – Founder of The AJ Center, an award-winning end-to-end digital marketing firm. Follow Andrew on LinkedIn.

Top Free SEO Tools to Track Google Rankings

In this fierce competition for Google’s favor, having the right tools is like wielding a pickaxe in a gold mine. And guess what? You don’t need to spend a fortune. Here are the top 9 free tools for tracking your SEO performance and staying ahead of the algorithm.

1. Google Analytics

Google Analytics shows who’s visiting your website, what they’re clicking on, how long they’re staying, and where they’re coming from. It’s the perfect tool to understand user behavior and refine your SEO strategy.

Focus on metrics like bounce rate, session duration, and keyword performance tracking to strike gold in your SEO journey. According to a survey, 68% of marketers say Google Analytics is their go-to tool for tracking SEO success.

2. Google Search Console

Google Search Console helps you understand how Google sees your site. It provides detailed reports on search performance, indexing issues, and mobile usability. Think of it as your spy inside Google's headquarters.

It’s a master at revealing which keywords are bringing in traffic and which pages have issues. About 55% of SEO pros rely on Search Console for keyword tracking, says a 2023 Moz report.

3. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest is a keyword spy tool created by Neil Patel. It gives you keyword suggestions, search volume, and competition analysis.

It offers hidden gems—those long-tail keywords that might just be the secret to ranking higher. 70% of Google searches are long-tail, making Ubersuggest essential.

4. Yoast SEO Plugin

For WordPress users, Yoast SEO is your built-in coach. It checks keyword use, readability, and meta descriptions—all inside your editor.

Yoast ensures your content is optimized and user-friendly. With 48% of users leaving poorly optimized sites, Yoast’s tips are invaluable.

5. Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Screaming Frog is a technical SEO tool that scans your site for broken links, duplicate content, and other SEO issues.

The free version crawls 500 URLs, making it ideal for small and mid-sized sites. 53% of SEO experts say technical SEO is their top focus—Screaming Frog helps them get it right.

6. MozBar

MozBar is a free Chrome extension that shows domain authority, page authority, and keyword data as you browse.

It’s perfect for competitor analysis—something over 60% of marketers say is key to SEO strategy.

7. AnswerThePublic

This tool shows you the real questions users ask about a topic—great for building SEO-rich content that aligns with user intent.

Pages that answer specific queries are 75% more likely to be in featured snippets. AnswerThePublic helps you get there.

8. Google Trends

Google Trends reveals what’s rising in search interest. Use it to spot seasonal spikes or trending topics to align content accordingly.

About 45% of marketers use Google Trends to guide their content strategy and ride the wave of rising searches.

9. SEOquake

SEOquake is a browser extension that displays a site’s keyword density, backlinks, and on-page SEO details with one click.

It’s a quick and effective way to analyze your site or competitors. 68% of marketers use tools like SEOquake to improve strategy, says SEMrush.

The AJ Center - Knowledge Center