Google Search Console may have a bug with the average position metric

The Google Search Console seems to have a bug in their Search Analytics report, specifically with the average position metric.

Many webmasters are claiming the average position metric in the search analytics report has taken a sharp dive since July 13. I have seen dozens of screen shots from webmasters showing proof of this decline, and I am able to personally replicate this in most of the Google Search Console profiles I have access to.

Here is a screen shot of the green line significantly dropping down; the green line represents the average position data:

So do not panic, many are seeing the same issue. We are trying to get confirmation from Google about this possible bug in the Google Search Console.

Postscript: This was not a bug, but rather a reporting change. For more details, see our updated story.

About The Author

Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry can be followed on social media at @rustybrick, +BarrySchwartz and Facebook. For more background information on Barry, see his full bio and disclosures, click over here.