How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO

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If you’re serious about improving your website’s SEO, one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal is Google Search Console (GSC). It’s an often overlooked tool, but once you learn how to use it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to use Google Search Console the right way to improve SEO. Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, or SEO specialist, this guide will help you tap into GSC’s full potential.

What Is Google Search Console?

At its core, Google Search Console is a free tool that allows website owners to track how their site is performing in Google’s search engine. It provides detailed insights into keyword rankings, traffic, index coverage, mobile usability, and much more. The beauty of Google Search Console is that it directly taps into Google’s database, offering you real-time data that no other SEO tool can fully match.

Why You Should Be Using Google Search Console

It’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s essential for improving SEO. But let me break it down a bit more. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll gain by learning how to use Google Search Console properly:

Track your website’s keyword rankings and traffic.
Spot technical SEO issues like crawl errors and indexing problems.
Ensure Google is crawling and indexing the right pages.
Discover which queries and keywords are driving traffic to your site.
Optimize your pages for mobile and track Core Web Vitals.
Identify and remove security issues or manual actions.

In short, Google Search Console gives you a direct line to what Google thinks about your website. And let’s be honest—Google’s opinion matters if you want to rank higher and get more traffic!

Here you will learn “How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO” with this comprehensive guide to boost rankings, fix technical issues, and drive more traffic.

Getting Started with Google Search Console

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of using Google Search Console the right way, you first need to add your website to the tool. If you already have GSC set up, feel free to skip this part.

Step 1: Add Your Website to Google Search Console

Head to the Google Search Console website and sign in using your Google account.
Once you’re in, click on “Add a Property” and enter your website’s URL.
Verify ownership of your site. You can do this through various methods like HTML file upload, adding a Meta tag to your site, or connecting it through Google Analytics.

And that’s it! You’ve now added your website to Google Search Console, and you’re ready to dive into the data.

How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO

Now that you’re set up, it’s time to make the most of the wealth of information Google Search Console provides. Below, I’ll walk you through several features of GSC and show you How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO.

1. Monitor Keyword Rankings and Organic Traffic

Why You Should Be Using Google Search Console

One of the first things you’ll want to look at is your keyword rankings and organic traffic. This will tell you which keywords are bringing visitors to your site and how well you’re ranking in Google’s SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

To do this:

Open GSC and click on the “Performance” tab.
You’ll see a list of queries (keywords) your site is ranking for, along with metrics like clicks, impressions, click-through rate (CTR), and average position.

Pay close attention to the average position of your keywords. Ideally, you want your important keywords to rank on the first page (positions 1-10). If you’re not ranking well for your target keywords, it might be time to optimize your content or rethink your keyword strategy.

Pro Tip: Filter by pages to see which pages are driving traffic from specific keywords. This will help you focus your optimization efforts on high-potential content.

“How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO” with this comprehensive guide to boost rankings, fix technical issues, and drive more traffic.

2. Submit Sitemaps and Ensure Google Is Indexing Your Pages

Google won’t rank your pages if it hasn’t crawled and indexed them. One of the best ways to ensure that Google is indexing your pages is by submitting a sitemap.

Here’s how to do it:

Go to the “Sitemaps” section in GSC.
Enter the URL of your sitemap (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml).
Hit Submit, and Google will start crawling your website.

Once your sitemap is submitted, you can check the Index Coverage Report to see if all your pages are being indexed properly. If some of your pages aren’t indexed, you can use the URL Inspection tool to find out why.

Anecdote: I once worked with a client who was puzzled by why their blog posts weren’t showing up in Google search results. After a quick look in the Index Coverage Report, we discovered that their sitemap hadn’t been submitted, and many of their key pages weren’t being indexed. A simple sitemap submission resulted in an instant traffic boost!

“How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO” with this comprehensive guide to boost rankings, fix technical issues, and drive more traffic.

3. Fix Crawl Errors and Indexing Issues

Now that Google Search Console is tracking your site’s index coverage, it will alert you to any crawl errors or pages that are not being indexed. These errors can negatively affect your SEO if not addressed quickly.

To fix crawl errors:

Go to the “Coverage” tab.
Review the list of errors and warnings.
Use the URL Inspection tool to dig deeper into specific errors, like 404 pages or server issues.

Fixing these errors will improve your site’s health and boost your chances of ranking well in Google.

4. Check and Improve Mobile Usability

In the era of mobile-first indexing, having a mobile-friendly website is a must. If your site doesn’t work well on mobile, Google will lower your rankings, especially for mobile search queries.

Here’s how to check your mobile usability:

Head to the “Mobile Usability” section in GSC.
Look for any errors flagged by Google, like content wider than the screen or clickable elements too close together.

Addressing these issues ensures that your users (and Google’s crawlers) have a smooth experience, regardless of the device they’re using.

Pro Tip: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how well your site performs on mobile devices.

5. Analyze Backlinks and Internal Links

Backlinks are still one of the most important ranking factors in Google’s algorithm. In Google Search Console, you can analyze both your external links (backlinks) and internal links to optimize your link-building strategy.

To see your backlinks:

Go to the “Links” section.
Check your Top linking sites and Top linked pages.

You can use this data to find new link-building opportunities or identify where your anchor text could be optimized.

Anecdote: I once helped a client who had a lot of backlinks but didn’t see a corresponding ranking improvement. By analyzing the anchor text distribution in Google Search Console, we found that most backlinks were using generic terms like “click here.” After updating anchor texts to include relevant keywords, their rankings started to climb.

6. Track Core Web Vitals and Page Experience

As part of Google’s Page Experience update, Core Web Vitals have become an important ranking factor. These metrics measure the overall user experience of your website, including things like loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability.

To track your Core Web Vitals:

Go to the “Experience” tab in GSC.
Review any issues with Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).

If you notice issues, it’s essential to fix them quickly. A poor page experience can harm your rankings, even if your content is top-notch.

“How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO” with this comprehensive guide to boost rankings, fix technical issues, and drive more traffic.

7. Optimize Your Content Based on Search Queries

One of the most powerful features of Google Search Console is the ability to see which queries are driving traffic to your site. This is a goldmine for SEO optimization because it allows you to tweak your content to match what users are searching for.

To optimize your content:

Head to the Performance tab.
Scroll down to the Queries section to see the search terms people are using to find your site.
Use these insights to adjust your content. For example, if a specific keyword is driving traffic but your page isn’t optimized for it, consider updating your content to focus more on that term.

Pro Tip: Focus on queries that have a high number of impressions but a low click-through rate (CTR). This indicates that your page is ranking but isn’t enticing people to click. Tweaking your Meta title and description can often fix this issue.

Conclusion: Master Google Search Console for Better SEO

Learning how to use Google Search Console the right way to improve SEO is a game changer. By understanding what Google sees when it crawls your site, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your rankings, drive traffic, and ultimately grow your business.

The best part? You don’t need to be an SEO expert to start using Google Search Console. The more you familiarize yourself with its features, the more value you’ll get from it. So what are you waiting for? Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO. Log in to your Google Search Console account and start optimizing your site today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main function of Google Search Console?

The main function of Google Search Console (GSC) is to help website owners, marketers, and SEO specialists track, analyze, and optimize their site’s performance in Google search results. It provides insights into keyword rankings, organic traffic, index coverage, crawl errors, and page experience, enabling users to troubleshoot technical issues and improve their SEO efforts. GSC also allows users to submit sitemaps, monitor backlinks, and check for mobile usability or security problems.

2. How to improve Google Search Console keywords?

Improving your Google Search Console keywords involves analyzing which keywords are driving traffic to your website and optimizing your content to rank higher for those terms. Here’s how you can improve them:
Use the Performance Report to identify keywords with high impressions but low click-through rates (CTR). Adjust your Meta titles and descriptions to make them more enticing.
Target long-tail keywords with lower competition but relevant search intent.
Update your content regularly to include relevant keywords while maintaining a natural flow.
Build internal and external links to increase the authority of your pages.

3. How do I add keywords in Google Search Console?

You cannot directly add keywords in Google Search Console, but you can influence which keywords your site ranks for by optimizing your content. To do this:
Identify target keywords using tools like Google’s Keyword Planner.
Incorporate these keywords naturally in your content, meta tags, headings, and alt text.
Create high-quality content that provides value to users and aligns with the search intent of those keywords.
Over time, Google Search Console will reflect the keywords your site is ranking for in the Performance Report.

4. How to setup Google Search Console?

To set up Google Search Console, follow these steps:
Visit the Google Search Console website and sign in with your Google account.
Click on “Add a Property” and enter your website’s URL.
Choose a verification method such as adding an HTML file to your site, inserting a meta tag, or verifying through Google Analytics.
Once your ownership is verified, Google Search Console will begin collecting data about your site.
Submit your sitemap to help Google crawl and index your site more efficiently.

5. How do I index in Google Search Console?

To index a page in Google Search Console, follow these steps:
Go to the URL Inspection tool in GSC.
Enter the URL you want Google to index.
If the page isn’t indexed, click “Request Indexing.”
Google will queue your request, and it can take a few hours to a few days for the page to be crawled and indexed.
You can also submit your XML sitemap through the Sitemaps section in GSC, which ensures that all important pages are crawled and indexed.

6. How to master Google Search Console?

To master Google Search Console, you need to regularly use its various features and tools:
Monitor your Performance Report frequently to track keyword rankings, impressions, and CTR.
Use the Index Coverage Report to identify and fix crawl errors.
Ensure that Core Web Vitals and Mobile Usability metrics are optimized for better user experience.
Submit sitemaps, disavow unwanted backlinks, and track internal and external links.
Make data-driven decisions by using GSC data for content optimization and SEO improvements.

7. What is CTR in Google Search Console?

CTR stands for Click-Through Rate, which is the percentage of people who click on your website’s link after seeing it in the Google search results. In Google Search Console, CTR is calculated by dividing the number of clicks by the number of impressions and multiplying by 100. Improving CTR involves optimizing meta titles and descriptions, making your listings more compelling to searchers.

8. Does Google Search Console show real-time data?

No, Google Search Console does not provide real-time data. The data in GSC typically lags by about 1-2 days. However, it is still highly accurate and valuable for tracking long-term performance trends, keyword rankings, and SEO issues.

9. How do I use Google Search Console effectively?

To use Google Search Console effectively:
Check the Performance Report regularly to monitor keyword rankings and optimize content for underperforming queries.
Use the Coverage Report to ensure your site’s pages are properly indexed and fix any crawl errors.
Monitor your Core Web Vitals and Mobile Usability to provide the best user experience.
Regularly submit your sitemap and use the URL Inspection tool to keep Google updated on important pages.
Analyze your backlinks and find opportunities for internal linking.

10. How do I use Google Search Console for SEO audit?

To conduct an SEO audit using Google Search Console:
Start with the Performance Report to analyze traffic, keyword rankings, and CTR.
Use the Index Coverage Report to check for pages not being indexed or that have crawl errors.
Look at the Mobile Usability and Core Web Vitals reports to identify performance and responsiveness issues.
Review the Links Report to analyze your backlink profile and identify potential improvements in internal linking.
Check for manual actions or security issues under the Security & Manual Actions section.

11. How do I use Google Search Console to improve my SEO?

To improve your SEO with Google Search Console:
Identify low-performing keywords in the Performance Report and optimize content to rank higher.
Fix any crawl errors or indexing issues flagged in the Coverage Report.
Ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices and meets the Core Web Vitals standards.
Submit your sitemap and use internal linking to improve crawlability.
Track backlink data and aim to get more quality inbound links.

12. How do I use Google Search Console for content ideas?

You can use Google Search Console for content ideas by looking at the Queries section under the Performance Report:
Identify keywords with high impressions but low clicks. These can indicate content gaps you can fill.
Look for long-tail keywords you’re already ranking for and create more in-depth content around those topics.
Analyze which pages get the most clicks and impressions, then produce more content that targets similar search terms.

13. How to use Google Search Console reports to get backlinks?

In Google Search Console, the Links Report provides insight into who is linking to your site:
Go to the Links section and look at the Top Linking Sites and Top Linked Pages.
Reach out to high-authority sites that are linking to you and explore opportunities for further collaborations.
Analyze anchor text and backlinks to ensure they are relevant and strengthen your SEO strategy.

14. Can I use Google Search Console without Google Analytics?

Yes, you can use Google Search Console without Google Analytics. GSC works independently of GA, but combining both tools provides a more comprehensive view of your website’s performance, user behavior, and SEO effectiveness.

15. How to increase clicks in Google Search Console?

To increase clicks in Google Search Console:
Optimize Meta titles and descriptions to make them more attractive in search results.
Target long-tail keywords with lower competition but higher search intent.
Improve your site’s overall ranking by building high-quality content and backlinks.

16. How do I increase traffic in Google Search Console?

To increase traffic using Google Search Console:
Optimize content based on high-impression but low-CTR queries.
Fix technical SEO issues like crawl errors and slow loading times.
Regularly publish fresh content that targets relevant keywords.
Build more backlinks to boost your authority and rankings.

17. How often should I check my Google Search Console account?

It’s best to check Google Search Console at least once a week to stay on top of SEO performance, spot technical issues, and identify opportunities for improvement. For high-traffic websites, daily checks may be more appropriate.

18. How to improve SEO rankings?

To improve SEO rankings:
Focus on content optimization, targeting high-intent keywords.
Build a strong backlink profile by earning links from reputable sites.
Improve your Core Web Vitals and mobile usability.
Ensure on-page SEO elements like titles, headings, and alt texts are well-optimized.
Fix any technical SEO issues such as broken links or crawl errors.

19. Which is the best tool for SEO audit?

While there are many great tools for SEO audits, Google Search Console is one of the best because it offers direct insights from Google about how your site is performing in search. For more comprehensive audits, you can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog alongside GSC.

20. What should I do if I see a crawl error?

If you encounter a crawl error in Google Search Console:
Use the URL Inspection tool to identify the issue.
Fix the underlying problem (e.g., 404 error, server issue).
Once resolved, go back to GSC and click “Validate Fix” to inform Google that the issue has been corrected.

Lorena Piadopo

Lorena V. Piadopo, Technical SEO Specialist Manager and our esteemed content writing author at Beyond SEO. She brings over seven years of experience in Technical SEO to executive and operations team. She ensures that the team stays organized and projects run smoothly and on time. Outside of work, She cherishes family time, enjoys cooking, swimming and loves being in nature.

What Is Google Search Console?

Why You Should Be Using Google Search Console

Getting Started with Google Search Console

Step 1: Add Your Website to Google Search Console

How to Use Google Search Console the Right Way to Improve SEO

1. Monitor Keyword Rankings and Organic Traffic

2. Submit Sitemaps and Ensure Google Is Indexing Your Pages

3. Fix Crawl Errors and Indexing Issues

4. Check and Improve Mobile Usability

5. Analyze Backlinks and Internal Links

6. Track Core Web Vitals and Page Experience

7. Optimize Your Content Based on Search Queries

Conclusion: Master Google Search Console for Better SEO

Frequently Asked Questions

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