If you’ve been hunting for a **free, open‑source SERP tracker** that doesn’t nickel‑and‑dime you for every keyword, [SerpBear](https://docs.serpbear.com/getting-started) is a gem. It’s lightweight, easy to deploy, and integrates with Google’s own data sources for richer insights. Here’s how to get it running — plus how to hook up all the good stuff. --- ## 🚀 1. Deploy & Run SerpBear From the [Getting Started guide](https://docs.serpbear.com/getting-started): - **Run locally** with Node.js, or - **Deploy on Fly.io** (free tier), your own server, or other hosting. > **Note:** Running locally means no mobile access and no API use for reporting apps. Once deployed, open the app in your browser: - Local: `http://localhost:3000` - Server: the URL set as `NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL` in your `.env` file. Log in with the username/password from your `.env`. --- ## 🌐 2. Add Your First Domain 1. You’ll be prompted to **Add Domain**. 2. Enter your site’s URL. 3. Save — you’ll add keywords next. --- ## 🔍 3. Set Up a Scraper The scraper is the heart of SerpBear — it checks Google’s search results for your keywords. From the docs: you **must** use a third‑party scraper or proxy to avoid IP bans. **Recommendation:** [ScrapingRobot](https://docs.serpbear.com/getting-started) — free to start (5,000 lookups/month) and very affordable beyond that. **Steps:** 1. Sign up at ScrapingRobot and grab your API key. 2. In SerpBear, go to **Settings → Scraping API/Proxy**. 3. Select ScrapingRobot, paste your API key, and save. 4. Refresh the page. *(Alternatives: ScrapingAnt — 10k/month free, SpaceSerp — 15k/month for $59 one‑time, or your own proxies.)* --- ## 🗝 4. Add Keywords 1. Click **Add Keyword**. 2. Enter the keyword(s), select country and device. 3. Save — SerpBear will start tracking positions. --- ## 📬 5. Email Notifications (Optional) 1. Go to **Settings → SMTP**. 2. Enter SMTP details (e.g., ElasticEmail, SendPulse). 3. Choose daily, weekly, or monthly updates. --- ## 📊 6. Google Search Console Integration Unlocks: impressions, clicks, top countries/pages. 1. Go to **Integrations → Google Search Console**. 2. Authorize your Google account. 3. Select the property for your domain. --- ## 📈 7. Google Ads Integration (Optional) For keyword research & search volume: 1. Go to **Integrations → Google Ads**. 2. Connect your account. 3. Use the keyword planner to find new terms. --- ## 📤 8. Export Data From your domain’s keyword list, click **Export CSV** to share results. --- ### 💡 Pro Tips - Free hosting options: Fly.io, Mogenius. - ScrapingRobot’s free tier is enough for a starter keyword set. - Combine GSC + Google Ads for the richest dataset. --- **Your turn:** If you’ve tried SerpBear, what’s your favorite integration or hosting setup?

🐻 How to Set Up SerpBear + All Integrations (Step‑by‑Step)

matt

If you’ve been hunting for a free, open‑source SERP tracker that doesn’t nickel‑and‑dime you for every keyword, SerpBear is a gem. It’s lightweight, easy to deploy, and integrates with Google’s own data sources for richer insights. Here’s how to get it running — plus how to hook up all the good stuff.

🚀 1. Deploy & Run SerpBear

From the Getting Started guide:

Run locally with Node.js, or
Deploy on Fly.io (free tier), your own server, or other hosting.

Note: Running locally means no mobile access and no API use for reporting apps.

Once deployed, open the app in your browser:

Local: http://localhost:3000
Server: the URL set as NEXT_PUBLIC_APP_URL in your .env file.
Log in with the username/password from your .env.

🌐 2. Add Your First Domain

You’ll be prompted to Add Domain.
Enter your site’s URL.
Save — you’ll add keywords next.

🔍 3. Set Up a Scraper

The scraper is the heart of SerpBear — it checks Google’s search results for your keywords.

From the docs: you must use a third‑party scraper or proxy to avoid IP bans.

Recommendation: ScrapingRobot — free to start (5,000 lookups/month) and very affordable beyond that.

Steps:

Sign up at ScrapingRobot and grab your API key.
In SerpBear, go to Settings → Scraping API/Proxy.
Select ScrapingRobot, paste your API key, and save.
Refresh the page.

(Alternatives: ScrapingAnt — 10k/month free, SpaceSerp — 15k/month for $59 one‑time, or your own proxies.)

🗝 4. Add Keywords

Click Add Keyword.
Enter the keyword(s), select country and device.
Save — SerpBear will start tracking positions.

📬 5. Email Notifications (Optional)

Go to Settings → SMTP.
Enter SMTP details (e.g., ElasticEmail, SendPulse).
Choose daily, weekly, or monthly updates.

📊 6. Google Search Console Integration

Unlocks: impressions, clicks, top countries/pages.

Go to Integrations → Google Search Console.
Authorize your Google account.
Select the property for your domain.

📈 7. Google Ads Integration (Optional)

For keyword research & search volume:

Go to Integrations → Google Ads.
Connect your account.
Use the keyword planner to find new terms.

📤 8. Export Data

From your domain’s keyword list, click Export CSV to share results.

💡 Pro Tips

Free hosting options: Fly.io, Mogenius.
ScrapingRobot’s free tier is enough for a starter keyword set.
Combine GSC + Google Ads for the richest dataset.

Your turn: If you’ve tried SerpBear, what’s your favorite integration or hosting setup?