Tools HQ / GSC / Site CTR curve
Site CTR curve
Your own click-through rate by position, per query type, from a Search Console Performance Queries export. Runs in this page only - nothing is uploaded. PAYBACK can use the saved curve for its base case.
1. Queries export
Search Console - Performance - Queries - Export. Needs columns Top queries, Clicks, Impressions and Position (CTR is recalculated).
2. Query types
First match wins. Terms are comma-separated and match anywhere in the query; tick regex to use a regular expression instead. Anything unmatched is Other.
Other - catch-all
3. Curve
Add an export and both dates to see the curve.
Comparators only - published 2026 studies
| Study | Pos 1 | Pos 2 | Pos 3 | Pos 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Page Sage - blended | 7.1% | 3% | 1.7% | 0.2% |
| First Page Sage - no AI answer | 22.6% | 10.2% | 5.8% | 0.5% |
| First Page Sage - AI answer present | 3.6% | 1.4% | 0.8% | 0.1% |
| Advanced Web Ranking - all SERPs | 20.02% | 10.36% | 3.89% | 0.58% |
| Advanced Web Ranking - with an AI Overview | 9.69% | 3.69% | 1.7% | 0.43% |
- First Page Sage, 'Google CTRs by Ranking Position in 2026' - published 22 Sep 2026; data 1 Mar - 31 Aug 2026, US-weighted, desktop and mobile blended.
- Advanced Web Ranking, 'Google Organic CTR by Position: 2026 Study + AI Overviews' - published 14 Sep 2026; July 2026 snapshot, Google US desktop.