How to Use Google Search Console for SEO

If you’re looking to optimize your business’ website for search engine rankings, you should really be using a tool known as Google Search Console. This free tool can provide you with valuable insights and tools to improve your search engine rankings and make your site easier for people to find.

Not sure how to use Google Search Console for SEO? Not to worry; as an SEO Agency, we’ve got some Google Search Console tips and tricks to help you make the most of this valuable resource!

What is Google Search Console, Anyway?

Let’s begin with a better understanding of what Google Search Console is and what it entails. Many website owners are initially confused when they hear about Google Search Console because it used to go by a different name (Google Webmaster Tools).

At any rate, the Search Console platform is a free tool that is designed to provide comprehensive performance data on a site’s search engine rankings. Some examples of data you can get from Google Search Console about your own website includes:

• keyword rankings
• click-through rates
• impressions
• Google crawler indexing information
• potential security issues
• backlinks

Benefits of Google Search Console For SEO

There are many ways in which Google Search Console can help you improve your site’s SEO strategy. For starters, the data and metrics that you can get from this free tool can be extremely informative and useful as you refine your own SEO efforts. For example, you might use Google Search Console to find that you’re ranking particularly low for an important keyword. From there, you can focus more of your efforts on optimizing these keywords.

Meanwhile, unlike other SEO platforms and tools that may provide similar information, the advantage of using Google Search Console (aside from the fact that it’s 100% free) is that this tool provides real-time information. Third-party SEO software, on the other hand, gets data from the search engine results pages (SERPs)—so it’s inherently out-of-date by the time you receive it. When you use Google Search Console to inform your SEO strategy, you can rest assured that you’re using the latest information.

How to Boost SEO With Google Search Console

So, what are some simple and practical ways that you can start using Google Search Console to drive more traffic and boost SEO today? It’s easier than you might think.

1. Improve Your Keyword Rankings

One of the best ways to use Google Search Console for SEO is to take advantage of its keyword research tools. Take some time to research some of the keywords that are most popular within your industry right now. How are you ranking for these keywords? If you’re underperforming, this will be clear in your reporting; you’ll know that you need to concentrate your efforts on keyword research and ranking higher for these keywords.

2. Tackle Sitemap Problems

You can also use Google Search Console to identify and fix problems with your sitemap. When there are issues with your sitemap, this can be problematic because it can make it difficult for Google’s search engine crawlers to find and index your site (or individual pages).

You can check for sitemap errors by going to the “Sitemaps” report page on Google Search Console. From there, you can select the “see index coverage” tab to see a number of valid/indexed pages, excluded pages, and pages with errors or warnings. If there are any “error” pages, clicking on this section will inform you as to the exact problem so that you can address it as soon as possible.

3. Use Backlinks to Your Advantage

Another great way to use Google Search Console for SEO is to discover which topics are currently getting the most backlinks. As you may already know, the strategic use of backlinks throughout your site can be a great way to boost your search engine rankings.

By visiting the “Links” reporting tab in Google Search Console and then clicking on the “Top linked pages” tab, you’ll be able to generate a report that will tell you which topics are receiving the most backlinks in your industry. From there, you can use this information to create more content that has a greater chance of being backlinked. This, in turn, can improve your SEO substantially.

4. Site Overview Tool

Tracking keyword position performance is very important. Fortunately, Google Search Console has added the Site Overview Tool making rank tracking easy. Starting with the top 5 most searched queries, you’ll be able to dig in and see what keyword queries are driving the most traffic. 

Get Started With Google Search Console Today

As you can see, there are many Google Search Console tips you can use to gain valuable insights about your website and refine your SEO strategy. From conducting keyword and backlink research to flagging and fixing errors, Google Search Console has a lot to offer. Looking for more help using this tool? Reach out to an experienced SEO Company like Actuate Media.