Lost Keywords

Lost Keywords identifies tracked keywords that are not ranked in their latest observation but were ranked in an earlier observation.

Overview

Use Lost Keywords to find search visibility that may have disappeared. For each result, the table shows the keyword, domain, search engine, search group, current status, last recorded ranked position and when that ranked position was last seen.

Lost Keywords is part of Keyword Performance but has its own focused result set. It displays up to ten lost keyword combinations from the active scope.

Access and data scope

• Lost Keywords uses the active workspace.
• Results only include domains available to the signed-in user within that workspace.
• The selected search group further narrows the results.
• Each keyword, domain, search group and search engine combination is assessed separately.
• Users only see ranking data permitted by their account and workspace access.

Select the required workspace before opening Lost Keywords. If you change workspace while the view is already open, refresh the page to ensure the new scope is loaded.

Quick start

1. Select the relevant workspace and search group.
2. Open Lost Keywords in Keyword Performance.
3. Review the keyword and engine shown in each row.
4. Check Last Position to understand where it most recently ranked.
5. Check Last Seen to understand when that ranked observation was recorded.
6. Open the keyword’s full history to investigate the loss before changing the page.

Understand the table

Each row represents one keyword, domain, search group and search engine combination.

• Keyword: The tracked search term.
• Domain: The tracked website.
• Engine: The search engine on which the keyword is no longer ranked.
• Search Group: The tracking configuration containing the keyword.
• Current: The latest status, shown as Not Ranked.
• Last Position: The position recorded in the most recent earlier observation where the keyword ranked.
• Last Seen: The date and time of that same earlier ranked observation.

Last Position is not the keyword’s best-ever position. It is the position from its most recent ranked observation.

The same keyword can appear more than once when it is tracked across different domains, search groups or search engines.

What counts as a lost keyword?

A result is included when:

1. The latest stored observation for the exact tracking combination is not ranked.
2. An earlier ranked observation exists for that same keyword, domain, search group and engine.

A newly added keyword with no earlier ranked observation is not treated as lost. A keyword that remains ranked at a weaker numerical position belongs in Position Drops rather than Lost Keywords.

Understand data timing

Keywords are generally checked once daily, but individual completion times can vary. Lost Keywords therefore uses the latest available observation rather than relying on a fixed calendar date.

Last Seen is the timestamp of the most recent ranked observation. It may not be exactly one day before the latest check, particularly if a scheduled result arrived late or a check was missed.

The feature uses stored tracking data and does not perform a live search when the tab opens.

Investigate a lost keyword

• Review the full keyword chart to see whether the loss is isolated or part of a decline.
• Check annotations for site, content or campaign changes near the loss.
• Confirm whether the intended page is accessible and indexable.
• Check whether another owned URL has replaced the previous ranking page.
• Compare the affected search engine with other engines.
• Review competitors and result-page changes.
• Use Keyword Deep-Dive when a fuller diagnosis is required.

One not-ranked observation does not always indicate a permanent loss. Rankings and result collection can vary, so confirm the outcome with subsequent observations where appropriate.

Data loading

Lost Keywords loads when its tab is first opened. Changing the search group reloads the view when it is visible. Refresh the page if newer tracking data or a different workspace is not reflected.

Results are ordered by search group and keyword and limited to ten rows. The list is therefore a focused view, not a complete export of every lost keyword.

Troubleshooting

• No lost keywords found: Confirm the active workspace and search group. There may be no combination whose latest observation is not ranked after an earlier ranked result.
• A recently added keyword is absent: It must have an earlier ranked observation before it can be classified as lost.
• A weaker ranking is absent: If the keyword still ranks, review Position Drops instead.
• The same keyword appears more than once: Compare the Domain, Engine and Search Group columns; each tracking combination is separate.
• Last Position is not the best historical position: It deliberately shows the most recent ranked position, not the strongest one.
• Last Seen is not yesterday: Daily check timestamps can vary, and the value represents the latest earlier ranked observation.
• The table has not updated: Reopen Lost Keywords or refresh the page after tracking completes or the workspace changes.
• Error loading lost keywords: Refresh the session, confirm access to the workspace and retry.

Frequently asked questions

Does Not Ranked mean the keyword has disappeared from every search result?

No. It means the latest stored observation did not contain a ranked position within the tracking system’s measured range for that specific engine and context.

Is Last Position the keyword’s best position?

No. It is the position from the most recent earlier ranked observation.

Does Last Seen always mean yesterday?

No. It is the timestamp of the most recent ranked observation. Daily check times can vary.

Does Lost Keywords show every lost keyword?

No. It displays up to ten rows from the current accessible workspace and search-group scope.

Why can the same keyword appear for more than one engine?

Each search engine is tracked independently. A keyword can be lost on one engine while remaining ranked on another.

Does the feature explain why the keyword was lost?

No. It identifies the change in status. Use the full keyword history, annotations and Keyword Deep-Dive to investigate.

Can Lost Keywords add an item to the Action Board?

No. The view is read-only.

Does it start an Ask Wheremore analysis?

No. It does not create an analysis report or Ask Wheremore session.

Who can see the results?

Only signed-in users with access to the active workspace and its relevant domains can see them.