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Add keywords from a file, KWFinder, Search Console or SE Ranking

SERPWatcher can take keywords from a CSV or TXT file, a KWFinder list, Google Search Console or an SE Ranking export.

Written by Dev + MKT

SERPWatcher can take keywords from a CSV or TXT file, a KWFinder list, Google Search Console or an SE Ranking export. The SE Ranking import also brings your past rankings. Every imported keyword uses tracked keywords like a typed one.

The import buttons sit under the keyword box, after "Import from:", in two places: step 2 of a new tracking, and the Add keywords panel of an existing tracking. Imported keywords go into the box first, so you can check them before you start.

Before you import: what it costs

Each imported keyword uses 1 tracked keyword per location and per device, the same as a keyword you type. Keywords above your limit turn red and are left out. Check the counter under the box before you select Start tracking or Add keywords. Importing from a KWFinder list or from Search Console uses no keyword lookups. See How tracked keywords are counted: locations, desktop and mobile.

In the Add keywords panel, a keyword the tracking already has turns yellow: "Already tracked (will be tagged but not readded)". It does not use another tracked keyword.

Import keywords from a file

  1. Under the keyword box, select File. You can also drag the file onto the page.

  2. Choose one .csv or .txt file.

  3. Check the keywords that appear in the box, then continue as usual.

SERPWatcher reads the files this way:

  • TXT: one keyword per line, or keywords separated by commas.

  • CSV: one keyword per line, from the first column only. Anything after the first comma, semicolon or tab on a line is ignored.

A header row is read as a keyword too. Delete it from the file first, or remove it from the box afterwards. Keywords are changed to lower case.

Any other file type shows "You can only import .csv or .txt files."

Import keywords from a KWFinder list

  1. Under the keyword box, select KWFinder list. The window "Import from KWFinder" opens.

  2. Tick one or more lists. To find one, type in "Search for a list...".

  3. Select Import with the number of selected lists, for example Import 2 selected lists.

You can also start in KWFinder. In a list, select Track keywords, then Add to tracking or Create new tracking. SERPWatcher opens in a new tab with the list's keywords in the box. See Save keywords to lists.

Import keywords from Google Search Console

  1. In step 1 of a new tracking, enter the domain you have in Search Console. In an existing tracking, open Add keywords.

  2. Under the keyword box, select Search Console.

  3. In the Google window, choose a Google account with access to the domain in Search Console, and allow access.

  4. In the list that appears, tick the keywords you want. Hide selected and the search box help with long lists.

The ranks in this list come from Search Console. The column tooltip calls them "Estimated position": they are not SERPWatcher checks.

The Google window asks for three permissions: to view and manage your Search Console data, to view it, and to see your email address. The first one includes changes, not only reading. If you prefer read-only access, export the keywords from Search Console as a CSV file and import the file instead.

Search Console import errors

"Google Search Console not connected" means the Google account you chose has no access to this domain in Search Console. The message says: "Add a website property to GSC or ask the owner to assign permission for your account, and try again."

"Unable to find keywords" means SERPWatcher got no keywords it could import. Check that the domain in step 1 matches the Search Console property, and that the property has search data. Then try again, or import a CSV export from Search Console.

Import keywords with their history from SE Ranking

SERPWatcher can import an SE Ranking rankings export with its past positions. Use it when you move your rank tracking from SE Ranking to SERPWatcher: it transfers your full tracking history.

  1. In SE Ranking, export your keyword rankings as a CSV file.

  2. In SERPWatcher, under the keyword box, select SE Ranking (w/ history).

  3. Choose the CSV file, unchanged.

  4. Check the keywords in the box. Each one shows the SE Ranking logo.

SERPWatcher reads the keyword from the first column and the dates from the second row of the file. Dates with no rank, such as "-" or "No data", are skipped. If no keywords appear in the box, the file is not in the expected layout. Upload the file as SE Ranking exported it, without editing it in a spreadsheet.

Keywords your domain already ranks for

In step 2 of a new tracking, SERPWatcher may show "We've found" a number of keywords your domain ranks for. Opening Show keywords uses 1 keyword lookup, the same as a KWFinder search. See Create a tracking in SERPWatcher.

An import did not work

If an import adds no keywords and shows no message, contact us through the live chat or at [email protected]. Send the tracking's domain, the import you used, and the file if there was one.

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