What is changing?
Keyword.com is retiring the Hybrid Tracking model and replacing it with two simpler tracking options:
Consistent Tracking – Collects the Top 50 Google results on every update
Enhanced Tracking – Collects the Top 100 Google results on every update
Over the coming months, all existing Hybrid Tracking projects will be migrated to one of these tracking models.
You may see prompts inside the application inviting you to migrate before the automatic migration takes place.
Why we are making this change
Hybrid Tracking was originally designed to balance tracking depth and update frequency.
While it reduced the amount of data collected on some updates, customer feedback showed that it often created confusion around:
Out of Tracked Range (OTR)
Missing ranking positions
Historical reporting
Ranking movement calculations
Differences between Top 20 and Top 100 updates
By moving to a fixed tracking depth on every update, ranking data becomes easier to understand and more predictable.
What was Hybrid Tracking?
Hybrid Tracking collected rankings at different depths depending on the update.
Typically:
Top 20 results were collected more frequently
Top 100 results were collected less frequently
This could result in rankings appearing as OTR (Out of Tracked Range) when a keyword was found outside the depth collected during that update.
What is Consistent Tracking?
Consistent Tracking collects the Top 50 Google results on every update.
Benefits include:
Consistent ranking depth on every refresh
Simpler reporting
No OTR values
Better visibility than traditional Top 20 tracking
More predictable ranking history
For most users, Consistent Tracking provides the best balance between ranking visibility and reporting simplicity.
What is Enhanced Tracking?
Enhanced Tracking collects the Top 100 Google results on every update.
Benefits include:
Full Top 100 visibility on every update
More competitor insights
Better analysis of keywords ranking outside the first few pages
Complete SERP history
Enhanced Tracking is recommended for:
Enterprise SEO teams
Large keyword portfolios
Competitive industries
Advanced reporting requirements
Comparing tracking models
Feature | Hybrid Tracking | Consistent Tracking | Enhanced Tracking |
Top 50 visibility | Partial | Yes | Yes |
Top 100 visibility | Periodic | No | Yes |
Fixed depth on every update | No | Yes | Yes |
OTR values | Yes | No | No |
Simplified reporting | No | Yes | Yes |
Full SERP visibility | No | No | Yes |
What happens to OTR?
OTR (Out of Tracked Range) is being retired.
After migration:
Consistent Tracking projects will show rankings between 1–50
Rankings outside the Top 50 will appear as >50
Enhanced Tracking projects will show rankings between 1–100
Rankings outside the Top 100 will appear as >100
New ranking data will no longer generate OTR values.
What happens to my historical data?
Your historical data remains available.
Any historical records collected under Hybrid Tracking will continue to appear in charts, reports, and SERP History.
No ranking history will be removed.
What happens to Maintain Continuous History?
Maintain Continuous History will remain available.
After migration, it will only affect how historical charts are displayed.
It will not:
Change rankings
Create ranking data
Affect movement calculations
Affect visibility metrics
It simply controls whether gaps in historical charts appear connected or disconnected.
How do I migrate?
When migration is available for your project:
Go to Settings > Data Collection
Review the available tracking options
Select either:
Consistent Tracking
Enhanced Tracking
Confirm the change
Your project will immediately begin using the selected tracking model.
Which option should I choose?
Choose Consistent Tracking if:
You want simpler ranking data
You primarily monitor first-page and second-page rankings
You want predictable reporting
You do not require daily Top 100 visibility
Choose Enhanced Tracking if:
You need complete SERP visibility
You actively monitor rankings outside the Top 50
Competitor analysis is important
You require full-depth reporting
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose historical rankings?
No. Historical ranking data remains available after migration.
Will my reports change?
You may notice changes because OTR values are no longer generated.
Future reporting will use the new tracking depth consistently.
Can I stay on Hybrid Tracking?
Hybrid Tracking is being retired and will eventually be removed for all projects.
Can I upgrade from Consistent Tracking to Enhanced Tracking later?
Yes. You can upgrade if you need additional ranking depth and visibility.