Is there software available to track SE results for certain keywords and phrases?

Yes, there are several tools out there that do that.

However, keep in mind that the search engines do not like automated software programs checking rankings like that. They just don't want programs hitting their servers over and over again. If you use a tool to check rankings too much, your IP address will get banned from the search engine and you won't be able to go to that search engine even with a web browser. Some people have said that if you use automated rank-checking tools your website will get banned but that's not true--it's the IP address that's hitting the search engine's website so much that will get banned.

Personally, I don't use automated programs to check rankings--I prefer to watch the website statistics to monitor the actual visits--and then check rankings by hand.

That said, here's where you can find some tools:
[link]
There are tools on that list that do many different things, but if you look for ones that say they check 'ranking' then you'll find several you might want to look try.

Thanks for the info Bhartzer. Just wondering - any guideline as to how often is too often to be running the ranking reports? Is once a week too often?

It's not necessarily how often you do it, it's the fact that they don't like you hitting their servers all at once over and over again.

So, it's it really depends on how many times you "hit their server" over and over again once a week. So, if you check a few keywords once a week you should be fine--if you check a lot of keywords once a week then there would be a problem.

Keep in mind, though, that some search engines have instituted Captcha so that automated queries are not allowed anymore.

If you must use an automated tool with Google you should use one that uses the Google API. Tools that use the Google API are limited to 1000 queries a day.

I personally do not use any automated ranking checkers whatsoever, even the ones that use the Google API.

Hi, I think its sace to use ranking tools thru a api. Tey are made for this kind of tools! Because useal quireies are limited to 1000 quiries a day, the burden on se servers is limited.
I use www.optimizekit.com; it does a lot more then yust lookup your rankings. it also helps you optimising your pages for the search engines. it has a free subscribtion also.

[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 04/07/2005 11:01 am ]

Here is a freeware tool to check Google rank: www.cleverstat.com
It works with or without API both.

[ Message was edited by: bhartzer 04/07/2005 11:02 am ]

Absolutely, you can try www.promotionworld.com tools. The ranking results are stoed in an account and you can track the changes through the time, beautiful graphs for the keyword positions here.

I use Advanced web ranking.
you can also use Google and yahoo API

It saves me a lot of work it handles all major search engines and from differend countries.

I'm verry pleased with it.
It makes great repports and can you can schedual the taskes so it works for you while you sleep.

Auke.

Can someone explain to me what API is?

thanks!

Apit is a key you recieve for free from Google thay allows you to make 1000 queries a day on Google.
You find it here: http://www.google.com/apis/
You make a free api here: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

If you want to check current rankings....Use this free software...it is the easiest I have yet to find. [link]

Matt

Cool!! I'll look at them both