What Google Search Console is, how to set it up, the reports that matter most and a simple 20-minute monthly routine to keep your site healthy in search.
If you only use one free SEO tool, make it Google Search Console. It is the only place where Google itself tells you how your website is performing in search: which searches you appear for, which pages are indexed, what problems Google has found and whether anything serious, such as a security issue or manual action, needs your attention.
This beginner's guide explains what Search Console is, how to set it up, which reports matter most and a simple monthly routine for using it. It replaces our 2021 article, which overstated the role of disavowing links; we explain why below.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a free service from Google that helps you monitor and maintain your site's presence in Google Search results. You do not need it for your site to appear in Google, but without it you are working blind.
It answers questions such as:
- How many people see and click on my site in Google?
- Which search terms bring visitors to which pages?
- Has Google indexed my important pages, and if not, why not?
- Are there speed, security or usability problems on my site?
- Which other websites link to me?
It is different from Google Analytics. Search Console shows what happens before someone clicks, in Google's results. Analytics shows what people do after they arrive on your site. You need both.
How to set up Search Console
1. Add a property
Sign in at search.google.com/search-console with your business Google account and add your website. Google offers two property types:
- Domain property: covers every version of your site, including all subdomains and both http and https. It is verified through your domain's DNS settings and is usually the best choice.
- URL-prefix property: covers only addresses that begin with the exact prefix you enter, such as https://www.example.co.uk. It is easier to verify if you cannot change DNS records.
2. Verify ownership
Follow Google's instructions to prove you own the site. For a Domain property, that means adding a TXT record with your domain provider. If you are not sure how, your web developer or hosting company can do it in a few minutes.
3. Submit your sitemap
In the Sitemaps report, add the address of your XML sitemap. This helps Google discover your pages. Most modern website platforms create a sitemap automatically.
4. Add the right people
Rather than sharing your login, add colleagues or your agency as users. That way you stay in control and can remove access at any time.
The reports that matter most
Performance
The Performance report is where most people spend their time. It shows four core metrics:
- Clicks: how many times people clicked through to your site
- Impressions: how many times your site appeared in results
- CTR: clicks divided by impressions
- Average position: the average position of your highest result
You can break these down by search query, page, country, device and date. Two quick wins to look for: pages with lots of impressions but few clicks, where a better title and description may help, and queries where you sit just off the first page, where improving the content could move you up.
URL Inspection
The URL Inspection tool shows Google's indexed version of any page on your site and lets you test the live version. Use it when a new or updated page is not appearing in search, and to request indexing once you have fixed a problem.
Page indexing
The Page indexing report shows which of your pages Google can find and index, and the reasons others are not indexed. Not every excluded page is a problem, as duplicates and redirects are meant to be left out. What matters is that your important pages are indexed.
Core Web Vitals
The Core Web Vitals report groups your pages as Good, Need improvement or Poor, based on real-user data. Our website speed guide explains what the metrics mean and how to fix common problems.
You may remember a Mobile Usability report from older guides. Google retired it in December 2023, so test your site on real phones instead.
Manual actions and security issues
These reports should be empty. If Google finds spam on your site or takes manual action against it, or if your site is hacked, this is where you will be told. Check them whenever traffic drops suddenly.
Links
The Links report shows which sites link to you most and which of your pages attract the most links. It is a useful way to see which content earns attention.
A word on disavowing links
Our original article described disavowing backlinks as one of the most important uses of Search Console. That was misleading. Disavowing is done through a separate tool, and Google describes it as an advanced feature that should only be used with caution. It is mainly for sites with a manual action for unnatural links, or a real risk of one, because of paid links or link schemes. Used incorrectly, it can harm your performance.
Most sites never need it. If you are worried about poor-quality links, read our guide to disavowing poor-quality backlinks or ask an SEO specialist before acting.
A simple monthly routine
You do not need to check Search Console every day. Once a month, spend 20 minutes on this:
- Compare clicks and impressions with the previous month and the same month last year.
- Look at your top pages and queries. Note any big rises or falls.
- Find pages with high impressions but low CTR, and improve their titles and descriptions.
- Check the Page indexing report for important pages that are not indexed.
- Review the Core Web Vitals report for new Poor URLs.
- Confirm the Manual actions and Security issues reports are clear.
- Inspect any new or updated key pages to confirm Google has indexed them.
Search Console checklist
- Domain property added and verified
- XML sitemap submitted
- Team and agency added as users, not sharing one login
- Performance report reviewed monthly
- Important pages confirmed as indexed
- Core Web Vitals problems logged for your developer
- Manual actions and security reports checked
- Search Console linked with Google Analytics for a fuller picture
Common questions
Getting more from Search Console
Search Console tells you what is happening, but not always what to do about it. That is where a proper audit helps. Our SEO audit checklist shows how to use Search Console data alongside other checks, and our free SEO audit gives you a prioritised list of fixes for your own site. If you would like ongoing help, our SEO packages include regular technical monitoring and reporting.
