RankGear.wikiThe independent, sourced reference on RankGear SEO software and the methods behind it

How RankGear works

From RankGear.wiki

RankGear organizes every analysis into six stages: define the field, collect the evidence, measure the pages, model the field, turn evidence into work, and preserve and compare[3] . The process starts from the set of pages actually ranking for a query rather than a generic checklist[2] . Its output is a score, a single first fix, a roadmap and a timestamped workbook that later runs can be compared against[3] .

Key facts. A RankGear run moves through six stages, from choosing the keyword and result depth to writing a timestamped workbook for Diff, Trends and Volatility[3] .

Overview

RankGear's product tour says one run "measures the field, scores your page against it, and hands you a prioritized plan," and that the rest of the software is built to repeat, compare, turn into content and test that work[3] . The home page summarizes the stages as Define, Collect, Measure, Model, Act and Compare[1] . The main tool that runs this cycle is the Analysis Run.

Define the field

The user chooses a keyword, target page, result depth from the top 10 to the top 100, country, language, device, local setting, provider and deficit strategy, or pastes their own ranked list[3] . RankGear calls the resulting set of ranking pages the field[2] . Its glossary describes the field as "not a single number but the whole spread" of a factor's values across the ranking pages, usually with the target page held out and scored separately[5] .

The methodology page contrasts this with a generic checklist: "the field tells you what is winning this query, right now"[2] . The deficit strategy chosen here sets the target a gap is measured against, as explained in Deficits and target strategies[2] . Since version 1.42.0, the Mac app also lets users review which result pages belong in the analysis and import browser-collected result URLs without starting a paid search[6] .

Collect the evidence

RankGear fetches the result set and renders each page[3] . According to the tour, it keeps rank alignment even when a page fails to load and gives slow pages one longer safety attempt[3] . The field can come from Google organic results, Google Maps, or a ranked list the user pastes[3] . Fetching the field requires at least one search-results provider key in Settings[4] .

Measure the pages

The shared engine calculates the factor catalog, which the tour lists as covering keywords, headings, content, entities, structure, schema, media, links, technology and authority[3] . RankGear catalogs 928 factors across 24 families, but the number measured on any run depends on the result set: a factor counts as measured when it returns a value for the target page and its comparison set[2] . Some factors are minted at runtime from the page set[2] . The families are listed in the RankGear factor catalog.

Model the field

RankGear then uses Spearman and Pearson correlation, competitor usage, distributions, BM25F and topical coverage to describe where the target page sits against the chosen target[3] . The methodology page says each factor is tested for how it correlates with position across the field[2] . The two correlation measures are explained in Spearman and Pearson correlation, and BM25F in BM25 and BM25F.

The glossary advises reading the field as a distribution rather than a target line: a tight cluster of values suggests a firm bar, while a wide spread suggests the factor is "loose and probably not decisive for that query"[5] . The maker says correlation describes a relationship within the measured field and is not a claim that a factor moves rankings[2] .

Turn evidence into work

The act stage produces the optimization score, the Do-This-First fix, a quick-wins list, an ordered roadmap, a work order and topical gaps[3] . The methodology page defines the optimization score as how much of the supported deficit the page has closed, shown in degrees on an Analysis Run and out of 100 on an On-Page Audit[2] . It calls this "a coverage measure, not a Google quality score or a probability of ranking"[2] . The Action Planner can turn a saved workbook into up to eight cited tasks, covered in Reports, workbooks and Action Planner[3] .

Preserve and compare

Every run writes a timestamped workbook and HTML report[3] . Because each factor keeps a stable Factor ID, Diff and Trends can compare the same measurement across runs[2] . Diff joins two saved runs, Trends reads many runs over time, and Volatility repeats a query five to thirty times to set a noise baseline before a change is credited to an edit[3] . These tools are covered in Diff, Trends and Volatility.

Common questions

What happens when RankGear runs an analysis?

It defines the field, fetches and renders the ranking pages, measures the factor catalog, models the field with correlation and other methods, and produces a score, first fix and roadmap[3] . Each run is saved as a timestamped workbook for later comparison[3] .

What is the field in RankGear?

The field is the set of pages actually ranking for the exact query at the chosen depth, country, language, device and location[2] . The target page is excluded from its own benchmark so it cannot skew the comparison[2] .

How long does a run take?

RankGear does not publish a fixed time for a full run, but it says deeper result sets such as the top 100 take longer than the top 10[4] . The lighter On-Page Audit is described as answering one page in about a minute[3] .

What do I need to start a first run?

The maker's three steps are to install the app, add at least one search-results provider key in Settings, and enter a keyword and target page on Analysis Run[4] . A free download with a synthetic-data demo is available, but live tools need the monthly subscription[6] .

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "RankGear: Evidence-Led SEO Software for Mac & Windows". RankGear (rankgear.com). Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Methodology: What RankGear measures". RankGear (rankgear.com). Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "How RankGear Works: A Full Product Tour". RankGear (rankgear.com). Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d "Download RankGear for Mac and Windows". RankGear (rankgear.com). Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ a b "Competitor field". RankGear knowledge base. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ a b "RankGear on the Mac App Store". Apple App Store. Retrieved November 2026.