Learn everything you need to know about Google’s Search Console and how to use it to improve your website’s SEO.
If you’re running a website, it’s vital to ensure you do everything possible to optimize your site for Google search results. One of the most valuable tools at your disposal is Google Search Console (GSC).
Our digital marketing company, WSI Web Enhancers, helps businesses use GSC effectively and increase website visitors.
In this article, we’ll discuss what Google Search Console is and how you can use it to improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO).
What is Google Search Console, and why is it important?
Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you understand and improve your site’s visibility in Google search queries. There are several reasons why GSC is an essential and valuable tool.
First, it can help you track your website’s search traffic. This data can help you understand your site’s performance in search results.
It can also help you identify technical issues with your site that could negatively impact its search performance.
Lastly, GSC provides an easy way to submit your sitemap to Google, which can help improve your site’s indexing.
How can you add your website to Google Search Console?
Adding your website to Google Search Console is a simple process:
- Create a Google Search Console account if you don’t already have one.
- Go to the GSC page and click “Add a Property.”
- Enter your website’s URL into the field provided, and click “Add.”
- Verify that you own the site.
How can you verify your website on Google Search Console?
There are a few ways to verify your website on GSC, but it’s easiest to upload an HTML file that Google provides:
- Go to the “Domain Verification” page.
- Click “Download the HTML verification file.”
- Upload the file to your website’s root directory.
- Return to the “Domain Verification” page and click “Verify.”
If you need help verifying your site, there are other methods that you can try. You can find more helpful information on Google’s Help Center.
How can you use Google Search Console’s features?
Now that you’ve added your site to Google Search Console and verified ownership, you can use its features. The first thing you’ll want to do is submit your sitemap.
A sitemap is not required for GSC, but submitting one will help Google index your site more effectively:
- Go to the “Sitemaps” page and click “Add/Test Sitemap.”
- Enter the URL of your sitemap into the field provided and click “Submit.”
- Track its progress on the “Sitemaps” page.
How can you filter data in Google Search Console?
Google Search Console allows you to filter your data in several ways.
To do this, go to the “Search Traffic” tab and click “Search Analytics.” Here, you can use the filtering options to customize the data you see. You can also do this in Google Analytics.
For example, you can filter by country, device, search type, and more. These options can be helpful if you want to better understand how your site is performing in specific countries or on specific devices.
How can you check your site’s index status in Google Search Console?
One of the most important things you can do with Google Search Console is track your site’s index status. This status will give you insights into how well Google indexed your site.
To check your site’s index status, go to the “Google Index” tab and click “Index Status.” Here, you’ll see how many pages you have indexed and any issues found.
You can use GSC to track your website’s search traffic with the help of the URL inspection tool. You can also track the performance of internal links, top-linked pages, and linking sites by looking deep into the GSC data.
Use Our SEO Services to Help Improve Your Business’s SEO
At WSI Web Enhancers, we can help you use GSC’s features to improve your website’s SEO and give you a better insight into your website’s performance.
Contact us today for a free estimate!
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Jukka founded WSI Web Enhancers in 2012. His progressive and pioneering SEO approaches help businesses increase traffic while improving conversion rates. As an accomplished digital marketing authority, he spins effective web design, SEO, and social media engagement into winning strategies for local and national companies.
