6 Ways to Check Website Rank on Google in 2025

The simple question “Where does my website rank on Google?” has become surprisingly complex in 2025.

Google’s search landscape has evolved dramatically with the introduction of AI Overviews and AI Mode, fundamentally changing how we measure and optimize for search visibility.

If you’re still checking rankings the old way, you’re missing half the picture. Today’s successful SEO strategies require understanding both traditional organic rankings and the new AI-powered search features that can make or break your visibility.

Let me walk you through every method to check your website’s rankings in 2025—plus show you how Stan Ventures helps clients dominate both organic search and AI-driven results.

Why Traditional Rank Checking Isn’t Enough Anymore

Here’s the reality: A website ranking #3 organically might get more visibility than the #1 result if it appears in AI Overviews. Google’s AI-powered features are reshaping the entire search experience, and most SEO professionals are still playing catch-up.

The stakes are higher now. Miss out on AI Overview and AI Mode optimization, and you’re essentially invisible to a growing segment of searchers who rely on these instant answers.

According to Krish, the co-founder of Stan Ventures, “we’re seeing Google’s AI Mode and AI Overviews, Bing Copilot, and Perplexity all prioritize topical authority and brand recall over traditional link metrics in certain types of answers. So, this isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s part of where search is headed.”

Method 1: Manual Google Search (Still Valuable, But Evolving)

The classic approach—typing your target keyword into Google and scanning results—remains useful, but it’s no longer complete.

What to do:

• Use incognito mode to minimize personalization
• Clear cache and cookies before searching
• Test from different locations using VPNs or using a service like Valentin.app
• Check both desktop and mobile results

The 2025 twist:

Don’t just look for your organic ranking. Check if your content appears in:

• AI Overviews at the top of results
• AI Mode sections
• Featured snippets and knowledge panels

Pro tip: Document both your organic position AND your AI Overview presence. A client recently discovered they were cited in AI Overviews for 15% of their target keywords despite ranking outside the top 10 organically.

Method 2: Google Search Console – Your Search Intelligence Hub

Google Search Console remains the gold standard for understanding your search performance, and it’s gotten smarter in 2025.

Key metrics to monitor:

• Average position across all keywords
• Click-through rates by query type
• Impressions from different SERP features
• New: AI Overview appearance data

What will soon change: GSC will soon provide insights into how often your pages appear in AI Overviews and other AI-powered features. This will help you filter your data to understand which content is eligible for these placements.

At Stan Ventures, we’ve noticed that while pages optimized for AI Overview inclusion have seen a reduction in click-through rates, the time spent on the page by users coming via AI mode and AI overviews has significantly increased, even from lower organic positions. This means more engaged users who are ready to take the action.

Method 3: Free Online Rank Checkers – Quick External Validation

Tools like SmallSEOtools, WhatsMySERP, and Ubersuggest offer instant rank checking without logging into your Google account.

How they work:

• Enter your domain and target keyword
• Get rankings from multiple locations and devices
• See SERP feature appearances

2025 upgrade: Several free tools now show AI Overview appearances alongside traditional rankings. While not as comprehensive as paid tools, they’re perfect for quick spot checks.

Method 4: Professional SEO Tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz) – The Power User’s Choice

For agencies and serious SEO professionals, paid tools provide the depth and scale needed for comprehensive rank tracking.

Advanced features include:

• Bulk keyword monitoring across multiple domains
• Historical ranking data and volatility alerts
• SERP feature tracking and competitor analysis
• New in 2025: AI Overview position monitoring

Stan Ventures insight: We use these tools to track both organic rankings and AI Overview citations for our white label clients. The combined data helps us identify optimization opportunities that most agencies miss.

Method 5: Monitoring AI Overviews & AI Mode – The Game Changer

This is where most SEO strategies fall short. AI Overviews and AI Mode represent the biggest shift in search since mobile-first indexing.

Understanding AI Overviews:
AI Overviews appear above traditional organic results, providing instant answers sourced from authoritative content. Being cited here can drive significant traffic and brand authority—even if you’re not ranking #1 organically.

Understanding AI Mode:
Available in Google search, AI Mode transforms the entire search interface into a conversational experience, prioritizing AI-generated summaries over traditional listings.

How to track and optimize:

• Monitor AI Overview appearances through GSC and paid tools
• Structure content with clear, factual statements
• Use schema markup and FAQ formats
• Build authority through strategic link building (more on this below)

Method 6: Competitor Analysis – The Complete Picture

Understanding where competitors rank—both organically and in AI features—provides crucial strategic insights.

What to analyze:

• Organic keyword rankings across all major terms
• AI Overview citation frequency
• Content structure and optimization patterns
• Backlink profiles and authority signals

Stan Ventures approach: We conduct comprehensive competitor audits that include both traditional SEO metrics and AI feature analysis. This dual perspective reveals opportunities that single-focus strategies miss.

One recent analysis showed a competitor dominating AI Overviews in our client’s niche despite weaker organic rankings. The difference? Strategic internal linking entity mapping and structured data implementation.

Optimizing for Both Organic Rankings and AI Features

Success in 2025 requires a dual-optimization strategy:

For organic rankings:

• Create comprehensive, user-focused content
• Build topical authority through content clusters
• Optimize technical SEO elements (speed, mobile, security)
• Develop strong internal linking strategies

For AI Overview inclusion:

• Structure content with clear, factual statements
• Use schema markup extensively
• Create FAQ sections that answer specific questions
• Build authoritative backlinks from trusted sources

The Stan Ventures advantage: Our AI SEO services address both requirements simultaneously. Every campaign includes technical SEO improvements, content optimization for AI features, and strategic link building that boosts authority across all ranking systems.

Measuring Success in the AI Era

Your 2025 SEO dashboard should track:

Traditional metrics:

• Organic keyword rankings
• Organic traffic and conversions
• Backlink quality and quantity
• Technical SEO health scores

AI-era metrics:

• AI Overview appearance frequency
• AI Mode visibility
• Voice search optimization performance
• Featured snippet capture rates

At Stan Ventures, we provide integrated reports that show both organic and AI feature performance. This comprehensive view helps agencies demonstrate value to clients who might not understand the complexity of modern search.

The Future of Rank Tracking

As AI continues reshaping search, expect even more changes:

• Conversational search interfaces becoming standard
• Personalized AI results based on user context
• Integration of real-time data in AI Overviews
• New SERP features we haven’t imagined yet

The agencies that thrive will be those that adapt quickly and maintain expertise across all ranking systems.

Take Action: Future-Proof Your Rankings Today

The question isn’t whether AI will continue reshaping search—it’s whether you’ll adapt fast enough to maintain competitive advantage.

Success in 2025 requires:

• Comprehensive rank tracking across all SERP features
• Content optimization for both organic and AI systems
• Strategic link building that builds authority for all ranking types
• Regular monitoring and adaptation to new search features

Partner with Stan Ventures for white label link building services that address every aspect of modern SEO. Our comprehensive approach ensures your clients succeed in traditional search while capturing opportunities in AI Overviews, AI Mode, and whatever Google introduces next.

Contact us today for a custom strategy consultation and discover how agencies are achieving superior results by embracing the full spectrum of modern search optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Google AI Overviews and how do they affect SEO in 2025?

Google’s AI Overviews are generative answers displayed at the top of search results for many queries. They pull content from authoritative sources and display summaries with citations. Optimizing for AI Overviews improves brand visibility and click-through rates — even if you’re not ranking #1 organically.

How can I track if my website appears in Google’s AI Overviews?

Monitor AI Overview inclusion via Google Search Console’s enhanced reporting, paid SEO tools with AI feature tracking, or manual searches of your target keywords. Regular monitoring helps assess authority and identify optimization opportunities.

What is Google’s AI Mode, and how does it change search rankings?

AI Mode transforms Google’s interface into a conversation-style experience, emphasizing AI-generated summaries before traditional organic results. This shifts user attention and requires optimization for both organic listings and AI feature eligibility.

Does traditional link building still work for ranking in the AI era?

Absolutely. Quality backlinks remain crucial for both organic rankings and AI Overview authority. Strategic link building helps content get referenced by Google’s AI systems, increasing chances for inclusion in Overviews and AI Mode responses.

How do I optimize content for AI Overview eligibility?

Structure content with clear, factual statements, use comprehensive FAQ sections, implement schema markup, and cite authoritative sources. Combine this with strategic link building to increase domain authority and AI citation probability.

What metrics should I track for SEO success in 2025?

Monitor traditional rankings alongside AI Overview appearances, featured snippet captures, voice search optimization, and AI Mode visibility. Use integrated dashboards that show both organic and AI feature performance for comprehensive insights.

Is comprehensive reporting available for both organic and AI search visibility?

Yes, Stan Ventures provides integrated reports covering traditional organic positions and AI feature appearances. Our white label reporting helps agencies demonstrate complete search visibility improvements to their clients.