HOW TO USE GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE

Google Search Console is one of the most valuable tools for anyone managing a website. It allows you to monitor search visibility, detect technical issues and optimise your site’s presence in Google Search. However, knowing how to use the platform effectively is just as important as having access to it. Many businesses set up a Search Console account but only scratch the surface of what it offers. By exploring its core features and understanding how to interpret the data, you can make more informed decisions that drive growth.

This guide covers the essential ways to use Google Search Console to improve your site’s performance, track its presence in search results and keep it running smoothly. Whether you are launching a new site or refining an established one, mastering this platform gives you an edge in competitive online markets.

Setting Up and Verifying Your Site

The first step in using Google Search Console is to set up an account and verify your website. You will need a Google account to begin. Once you log in, you can add your domain or a specific URL prefix, depending on how much of the site you want to monitor. Domain verification offers a complete picture of all site activity, while URL prefix is limited to one protocol and subdomain.

Verification can be completed in several ways, including adding a DNS record to your domain provider, uploading a specific HTML file to your website, or placing a meta tag in the site’s header. You can also verify through Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager if those are already in place. Once verified, Google will begin collecting data, although it may take a few days before full reports become available.

Understanding the Performance Report

The Performance Report is where most users spend their time. This section shows how your website appears in Google Search, including key metrics such as total clicks, impressions, average click-through rate and average position. You can filter data by page, country, device, search appearance or specific queries. This level of detail allows you to understand what users are searching for and how often your pages are showing up in the results.

By identifying which pages are performing well, you can build on those successes. Equally, you can spot opportunities where pages are receiving impressions but few clicks, indicating a need to improve titles, descriptions or meta data to encourage better engagement. Reviewing search queries also helps you discover keywords you may not have been actively targeting, opening up new content or optimisation ideas.

Using the URL Inspection Tool

One of the most practical tools in Search Console is the URL Inspection Tool. It allows you to analyse individual pages to see whether they are indexed, how they were last crawled and whether any technical issues are present. You can also request reindexing if you have updated a page and want Google to recrawl it quickly.

This is particularly useful when launching new content or resolving problems. You can confirm whether your changes have been recognised and take action if not. The inspection tool provides insights into canonical URLs, mobile usability and structured data, making it a go-to resource for diagnosing performance problems on specific pages.

Monitoring Index Coverage and Fixing Errors

The Index Coverage report shows how many pages Google has indexed, how many it has excluded and any issues that may have prevented indexing. This includes soft 404s, redirects, crawl anomalies and pages marked as noindex. It also highlights pages that are discovered but not yet indexed, which may suggest a need for better internal linking or sitemap updates.

Fixing these issues ensures that your content is accessible to search engines and users alike. Each error comes with a description and often a link to further details. After resolving the underlying cause, you can validate the fix within Search Console, which triggers Google to re-evaluate the issue. Regularly reviewing coverage ensures that your site remains healthy and visible.

Checking Mobile Usability and Core Web Vitals

As Google now uses mobile-first indexing, it is essential to ensure your website works well on smartphones and tablets. The Mobile Usability report flags elements that are difficult to interact with, such as text that is too small or clickable areas that are too close together. Fixing these issues improves user experience and can support better rankings.

Core Web Vitals are also tracked within Search Console. These metrics focus on load time, interactivity and visual stability, which Google has confirmed are ranking factors. If pages are failing to meet thresholds for Largest Contentful Paint or Cumulative Layout Shift, the platform will offer guidance on what needs improvement. Addressing these metrics can have a direct impact on both user satisfaction and search performance.

Analysing Links and Enhancing Authority

The Links section of Search Console helps you understand your backlink profile. It shows which domains are linking to your site and which of your pages are receiving those links. You can use this data to identify high performing content, outreach opportunities or spammy links that may need to be disavowed.

Internal links are also included, giving insight into how content is connected across your site. Ensuring key pages are linked from others helps distribute authority and improve crawl efficiency. If an important page has few internal links, it may be overlooked by both users and search engines. Regular analysis helps you refine your site structure and improve content discoverability.

Submitting Sitemaps and Managing Removals

Submitting an XML sitemap is one of the first things to do after setting up Search Console. It tells Google which pages you want to be indexed and speeds up the discovery of new content. You can submit your sitemap under the Sitemaps section and monitor whether it has been read and processed successfully.

The Removals tool allows you to temporarily block pages from search results, which can be useful if outdated or sensitive content needs to be hidden while being updated or deleted. This does not delete the content from your site, but it does remove it from public view in Google Search. It is a useful way to manage visibility in fast changing situations.

Final Thoughts on Using Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a cornerstone of digital strategy, offering insights that are essential for SEO, content optimisation and technical site management. Learning how to use it properly unlocks a clearer understanding of how your site is seen by Google and where improvements can be made.

From identifying search trends and resolving technical issues to tracking mobile performance and managing backlinks, the platform covers every major aspect of search visibility. By checking in regularly and responding to data, you can build a more resilient, discoverable and successful online presence.