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Adding Keywords to Track

Updated March 11, 2026

Add keywords to your project to start tracking their rankings. You can add keywords manually, import from CSV, or import from Google Search Console.

Which Method Should I Use?

  • GSC import — Best if you already rank for keywords and want to track existing performance. This imports queries your site is already receiving impressions or clicks for
  • Manual entry — Best for targeting new keywords you don't rank for yet, or for adding a small number of specific terms
  • CSV import — Best for bulk imports from external tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush, spreadsheets) or migrating from another rank tracker

Methods for Adding Keywords

Method 1: Manual Entry

Add keywords one at a time or in bulk:

  1. Go to your project
  2. Click "Add Keywords"
  3. Enter keywords in the text area (one per line)
  4. Optionally set target URLs for each keyword
  5. Click "Add" to save

Method 2: CSV Import

Import keywords from a CSV file:

  1. Go to your project
  2. Click "Import Keywords" or "Add Keywords"
  3. Select "Import from CSV"
  4. Upload your CSV file. The first row should be a header. Example format: 
    keyword,target_url,tags
best running shoes,https://example.com/running-shoes,"product, footwear"
running shoe reviews,https://example.com/reviews,product
    • Column A: keyword (required)
    • Column B: target_url (optional)
    • Column C: tags (optional — wrap in quotes if using multiple comma-separated tags)
  5. The import screen will ask you to map your CSV columns to the expected fields. If your column names match (keyword, target_url, tags), they'll be auto-detected. Click "Import" when ready

Method 3: Import from Google Search Console

Import keywords you're already ranking for:

  1. Go to your project
  2. Click "Add Keywords"
  3. Select "Import from GSC" (you must have a Google Search Console property connected first)
  4. Choose a Google Search Console property
  5. Select keywords to import and click "Import"

Setting Target URLs

Target URLs specify which page on your site should rank for each keyword. This is important because Google sometimes ranks a different page than the one you intended — a problem called keyword cannibalization. Setting target URLs lets Content Raptor flag these mismatches with a warning indicator in the rankings table so you can fix them.

You can set target URLs when adding keywords or edit them later from the keywords table (click the target URL cell to edit inline). To update target URLs in bulk, select multiple keywords using the checkboxes, then use the bulk action menu to set the target URL for all selected keywords at once. For more on why this matters, see Domain vs. Exact URL Tracking.

Organizing Keywords

Use tags to group related keywords (e.g., "product," "blog," "local") so you can filter and analyze them separately.

Best Practices

  • Start small — Begin with 10–20 high-value keywords per project and expand gradually. This helps you learn the interface and refine your tagging strategy before committing credits to a large batch
  • Set target URLs — Assigning a target URL to each keyword makes it easier to spot ranking issues
  • Use tags early — Tagging keywords when you add them saves time organizing later

Common Questions

Can I edit or remove keywords after adding them?

Yes. You can edit target URLs, add or remove tags, or delete keywords at any time from within your project.

What's Next?