The website’s average position in Google improved, yet search clicks didn’t grow. Better rankings should normally bring more clicks, so something is holding them back.
What it suggests
Find which searches moved up and check whether their titles and descriptions match what people are looking for.
When it’s suggested
It compares the website’s Search Console totals with the comparison period. It’s suggested when the average position improved by at least one place while clicks stayed flat or fell, and the comparison period had at least 100 clicks. The details show both, for example “Average position up 2.3 places, clicks -5%”. It’s an Info tip.
Common causes
- The gains are on searches few people make, or on page two, where clicks are rare.
- Pages rank for searches they don’t really answer, so people skip them.
What to do
- In Search Console, compare the two periods by search and sort by position change to see which searches moved up.
- Search the ones that matter yourself. If your title and description don’t answer the search as well as the results around them, rewrite them to match its wording and intent.
When it goes away
It goes away when clicks start rising again, or the average position no longer improves by a full place.
It drops off the action plan once it hasn’t been detected for 7 days. If you mark it done or dismiss it, it only comes back, as “Back again”, if it clears for at least 7 days and then returns.