Quick verdict: Search Console vs Semrush for the real ranking number

Quick verdict: Search Console vs Semrush for the real ranking number
I tested this on a real account where Semrush said position 8 and traffic didn't match.

Google Search Console
➕ Free, and the average position is YOUR actual blended rank across every query the page catches
➖ No competitor view, no daily SERP snapshot

Semrush position tracking
➕ Clean competitor overlay and SERP-feature alerts
➖ Tracks the keyword YOU chose at one location — it said 8, GSC said the page averaged 14

The case: trusting Semrush, the client almost skipped a page that was "winning." GSC revealed it ranked 14 across 60 long-tail queries. We added an FAQ block targeting those. 6 weeks later: average position 14 → 7, clicks +63%.

Best for: GSC for ground truth, Semrush for the competitive picture.
Price-vs-value: The free tool found the money here.

Pick GSC first, always.
Skip relying on any tracker's single-keyword number for traffic decisions.