Google Analytics Average Position

[CalicoKitty2000]

I'm looking at Google Analytics -> Acquisition -> Search Engine Optimization -> Queries reports. I'm looking at keywords and the average position.  What Google reports and what I see in a Google incognito search is different (usually my search is much lower).  For example, for one search term, Google reports 5.8 average position and every time I search it is 8. My local result is 4. Anyone know why this is?  I'm wondering if Google is averaging the Local results into number?

[CommT]

BEST of luck!

[CommT]

Yeah, the Google 'help' documents can sometimes leave one scratching one's head saying 'you what?'

Bet of luck

[CalicoKitty2000]

I didn't even think about images.  That makes sense.  I did read the Google help document.... but it wasn't matching up with what I was seeing.  Thank you

[CommT]

I believe that local results are included, as are image results and any other SERP-type result. Hope that makes sense - the previous poster has explained it pretty well so I shan't go over what he/she already said.

[Keszi]

Hi there,

Let me quote Google for this:

• Average position: The average top position of your site on the search results page for that query.

  To calculate average position, we take into account the top ranking URL from your site for a particular query. For example, if Jane’s query returns your site as the #1 and #2 result, and David’s query returns your site in positions #2 and #7, your average top position would be 1.5.

Source: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/35252?hl=en#details

I believe that they do take in consideration also the local results. (but that is my opinion)

Gr., Keszi