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Google Search Console: what it is and how we use it

Search Console is a free Google tool that shows how a site appears in search: for which queries and with what result.

1. How it works

Search Console is a free tool in which Google shows how it sees your site: how many impressions and clicks it had, for which queries and which pages are indexed. It also flags technical errors.

2. Why it matters to a business

For a business it is the most direct view into search: what people typed before they found you and what the site is missing for them. New content is written and errors fixed on that basis.

3. How we use it

It lets us see what people typed before they found you, and spot technical errors that hold the site back.

4. When it fits

It suits any website that wants to be visible in search.

5. What to watch for

It shows data from Google only, with a delay of a few days.

6. In practice

We connect Search Console to the site right after launch, submit the sitemap and then watch which queries bring impressions and clicks. It also flags errors, for example a page Google could not load.

7. Alternatives

A similar tool is offered by Bing Webmaster Tools and, in Czechia, Seznam Webmaster. For Google, though, Search Console is the most accurate source of search data, and it is free.

8. Common questions

What will I learn first?

How many times your pages appeared and for which queries. From that you can tell what people search for and whether they find it on the site.

How long until data appears?

Usually days, with a new site even weeks. The data is shown with a delay.

Does submitting a sitemap help?

It helps Google find pages faster and shows which could not be indexed. It does not improve rankings by itself.

If you need help with this, take a look at our SEO.

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