Google Search Console may have a bug with the average position metric
If your metrics have gone awry since July 13, don't panic. It may just be a bug.
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.
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About the author
In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the "US Search Personality Of The Year," you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O'Clock.
Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here or on her personal site.