Matomo 'Keyword Not Defined' (Missing Search Keywords)

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Install the keywords feature

   Copy steps
   1. Cloud includes Search Engine Keywords Performance
   2. On-Premise buy it from the Matomo Marketplace
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Connect Google Search Console

   Copy steps
   1. Go to Administration > System > Search Performance
   2. Click Setup Configuration under Google Search Console, then Add configuration for your site
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Use a Domain property

   1. Create a Domain property in Search Console (needs a DNS verification) so http/https, www and subdomains are included
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Set expectations

   1. Keywords only appear in aggregated reports (Acquisition > Search Engines & Keywords), not per visit or goal. Wait a few hours to days for the import
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The Referrers > Search Engines & Keywords report is full of 'Keyword not defined'.

Why it happens

• Google, DuckDuckGo and recent Firefox versions withhold keywords
• Search Console data is only aggregated, not per visit
• Search Console property is a URL-prefix property, so other variants are missing
• Plugin not installed (premium on-premise)

This guide also covers

• matomo keyword not defined
• matomo search keywords
• matomo organic keywords

The same problem in other apps

All missing or lost data guides →

• Plausible Custom Events and Goals Not Showing (Plausible Analytics)
• Umami Custom Events Not Showing (Umami)
• PostHog Events Not Showing Up (PostHog)
• Fathom Events Not Showing Up (Fathom Analytics)
• Simple Analytics Events Not Showing (Simple Analytics)

Other Matomo errors

• Matomo Shows No Data (There Is No Data for This Report)
• Matomo Reports Not Updating (Archiving Cron Not Working)
• Matomo for WordPress Not Showing Statistics
• Matomo 'Oops... There Was a Problem During the Request' Error
• Matomo Archiving Slow or Out of Memory on Large Sites
• Matomo Blocked by Ad Blockers (Undercounting Visitors)
• Why Matomo Numbers Differ From Google Analytics and Search Console
• How to Exclude Your Own Visits in Matomo