Google Search Console is a free tool that analyzes information useful for running a website. By mastering the functions and how to use Google Search Console, you will be able to create a website that appears high in search results.
In order to make full use of Google Search Console, you need to understand the data and phrases it handles correctly. In this article, we will explain in detail how to use Google Search Console, its functions, and installation procedures, as well as its differences with Google Analytics and how to integrate it.
Please use this as a reference for those who want to implement Google Search Console, those who want to know the latest information, and those who are new to
SEO
.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is an analysis tool for Internet website searches provided free of charge by Google.
By using Google Search Console, you can obtain very important information for running a website, such as how the website is displayed on Google’s search engine and what keywords are being searched for. I understand.
By using Google Search Console and Google Analytics, you can do SEO efficiently and create a better website. Learn what Google Search Console can do and how to use it, and use it correctly.
In addition to Google Analytics, the update also allows integration with Google Ads, YouTube, Google Play Console, Actions Console, and Chrome Web Store, so use it in accordance with the content of your website.
What you can check with Google Search Console
Here’s what you can check with Google Search Console:
I will explain each in turn.
Number of views
You can find out how many times your website was displayed in Google searches (number of impressions). Impressions are counted when a user views a search result, so it doesn’t matter whether your website catches the user’s attention.
Please note that the count is only counted the moment a search result that lists the website is opened (displayed).
number of clicks
The number of clicks shows the total number of clicks from the search results displayed when users search for words entered in the search field. This is an indicator of how many users your website attracts.
click rate
Click-through rate indicates the percentage of clicks out of the number of times an item is displayed as a search result. While the average click-through rate for search position 1 is 35%, it drops to 1.4% for position 10.
The higher the search ranking, the higher the click-through rate, so aim for content that ranks as high in search results as possible.
search query
A search query is a string of characters that a user types into the search field. Google Search Console allows you to see what search queries people enter into your website.
By understanding search queries, you can understand
the needs
of users for your website, and you can see the direction of your website and ways to improve it.
Search ranking
You can see the average search ranking of search results in Google search. In order to increase the number of views on your website, you need to make it appear at least one of the top search results.
When creating or improving a web page, search ranking is one of the indicators, so check the search ranking regularly and improve the definition.
Backlink source
A backlink source refers to the place where a link is placed on a website. Depending on the source of backlinks, it can greatly affect the number of inflows of users, and is an important element of a website.
With Google Search Console, you can check the link source URL, so you can see at a glance what kind of page a user came to your website from.
page experience
From the experience section, you can see the overall experience index of the website. Page experience is an indicator of user experience on a website.
Google searches tend to show websites that provide a good user experience at the top of the search results, so the higher the page experience rating, the more highly rated the website is by Google.
Page experience evaluates whether the page is safe and convenient for users, such as the loading time of the website and smartphone compatibility.
If your page experience value is low in Google Search Console, check which aspects are being poorly evaluated and try to improve them.
Difference between Google Search Console and Google Analytics
Google Search Console and Google Analytics are both useful services for running a website, but each has a different role.
Google Search Console mainly allows you to know the analysis results related to Google searches.
By being able to understand the number of times a website appears in a search, the search ranking, and link information on other sites, it is possible to see how people visited the website through searches and links.
Google Analytics is a tool that allows you to see the number of visitors to your website, including not only Google search but also other search engines, and the actions users take after entering your website.
Therefore, rather than using one or the other, by using Google Search Console and Google Analytics together, you can understand the behavior of visitors before and after they visit your website. When implementing Google Search Console, be sure to also implement Google Analytics.
How to use Google Search Console
You can install Google Search Console by following the steps below.
1. Log in with your Google account
2. Site registration
3. Verification of ownership
I will explain each in detail.
Log in with your Google account
Google Search Console is linked to your Google account, so be sure to log in with your Google account before using it. If you don’t have a Google account, register and get one.
Site registration
Once you are able to log in to Google Search Console with your Google account, the next step is to register your website. When registering a website, specify the website you want to measure by entering
the domain
or URL.
When specifying a domain, you will need to confirm whether you own the website, so if specifying the domain does not work, specify the URL.
If you specify a website by URL, you can save yourself the trouble of verifying site ownership. This method is recommended for beginners or those who want to use Google Search Console easily.
Verify ownership
When entering the website to measure, if you specify it by domain, you will need to prove that you own the website.
To verify ownership, you can prove ownership by following the instructions in Google Search Console, logging into your provider, and reflecting the specified TXT record in your DNS settings.
If you register your website by URL, you can confirm ownership of your website by adding
HTML
files, tags, and integrating with Google Analytics.
Google Search Console also allows you to take measures against algorithm updates.
Google makes core updates to its search
algorithm
on an irregular basis, and due to algorithm improvements, websites that used to be displayed at the top of search results often no longer appear at the top.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue creating websites that are in line with Google’s search algorithm updates. By using Google Search Console, you can take precautions against search algorithm updates.
You can take the following measures using Google Search Console.
I will explain each in turn.
Rewrite queries that are losing search rankings
When Google’s core updates are made, use Google Search Console to rewrite any queries whose search rankings have dropped.
If you have a query that will see a drop in search rankings due to an update to Google’s search algorithm, create content that is compatible with the new algorithm.
When rewriting, find out the factors from pages with high search rankings, and focus on correcting the points that are evaluated by the algorithm while being aware of those factors.
Improve pages with low number of views
In addition to improving search rankings, improve pages that are receiving fewer impressions. In the latest update (implemented in August 2022), an algorithm has been adopted that lowers the rating of content that Google deems to be useless.
For pages whose number of impressions has decreased, it is necessary to review whether there are any problems with the page experience value and modify the page to be more user-friendly. In addition, by using Google Analytics, you can check not only the content but also the exit rate and circulation rate within the website.
How to link Google Search Console and Google Analytics
By using Google Search Console and Google Analytics together, you can make your website even better.
If you haven’t started using Google Analytics, start using the same
account
as Google Search Console.
The steps to link Google Search Console and Google Analytics are as follows.
1. Share Google Search Console data
2. Associate web properties
I will explain each method in detail.
Share Google Search Console data
Open Google Analytics and go to “Acquisition > Search Console > Search Queries”. By clicking the “Search Console data sharing settings” button, you will be able to link with Google Analytics.
If you are unable to link, it is possible that you do not have editing permissions for Google Search Console and Google Analytics, or that you have not been able to confirm the ownership of the website.
Associating web properties
Click “Search Console Data Sharing Settings” to automatically display your web property settings. Scroll down the page and press the “Adjust Search Console” button from the “Search Console” item.
Clicking “Add” from the “Search Console” field will automatically open Google Search Console. By selecting the displayed property list and pressing the “Save” button, the link between Google Search Console and Google Analytics is completed.
summary
In this article, we explained the overview, functions, and usage of Google Search Console.
Google Search Console is a revolutionary analysis tool that helps with SEO, which is essential for running a website. Use it in conjunction with Google Analytics, understand the role and usage of each, and use it to attract customers to your website.
Please refer to this article and use it for website management and SEO.