GSC average position

Why Average Position in Google Search Console Can Be Misleading

For many marketers and business owners, the “Average Position” metric in Google Search Console (GSC) seems like an easy way to measure SEO progress. A lower number looks better. A higher number looks worse. Simple, right?

Not quite.

In practice, this metric can be highly deceptive and lead you to draw the wrong conclusions—especially when viewed without context. Let’s break down why that happens, using two practical examples from real SEO agency work.