I’m posting a quick screenshot from Google Search Console (Webmaster Tools) below.
This is just a small cross-section of traffic, specifically searches related to Vancouver Island waterfront real estate. What I want you to notice is simple:
When we’re in the number one position in Google, there are instances of a 100% click-through rate (CTR).
Not 40%.
Not 60%.
100%.
But as soon as you move down to the third or fourth position, you can already see the click-through rate (CTR) start to fall off.
That’s the point.
Organic rankings in Google are still highly valuable — but only if you’re at the top.
There’s this constant push in real estate SEO to “get everything on page one” or “rank for big competitive real estate keywords.” But the reality, especially when you look at the data inside Google Search Console (Webmaster Tools), is that position matters more than vanity rankings.
Instead of trying to get everything onto the first or second page, I believe people should really be focused on a few things — especially long tail real estate keywords.
If you get long tail keywords to rank number one in Google search results, a few important things happen:
- Those searches are further down the funnel
- The organic traffic is higher quality
- The user is more mature and likely pre-qualified
- The lead is simply better
And because you’re in the top position, the CTR (click-through rate) reflects it.
If you focus on page two, or the bottom of page one for competitive real estate search terms, you might feel good about “ranking”… but your click-through rate is going to tell the real story.
CTR is what actually turns impressions into organic website traffic.
So instead of chasing broad, competitive head terms like “Vancouver Island real estate” where you might land in position 3–7 and get a fraction of the clicks, I would argue you’re far better off dominating specific long tail searches like “Vancouver Island waterfront homes for sale” and owning position one.
The data in Google Search Console (Webmaster Tools) makes that case pretty clearly.
Curious what others here are seeing in their real estate SEO campaigns:
- Are you tracking CTR by average position in Google Search Console?
- Have you seen similar click-through rate drop-offs after position one?
- Are you actively targeting long tail real estate keywords, or still focused on broader competitive terms?
Would love to hear what you’re seeing in your own Search Console data.