How to Use Google Search Console for SEO: Top 11 Hacks

To optimise your SEO strategy, you must first understand how your website is performing in Google Search. The Search Results report in Google Search Console provides detailed insights into this performance, making it an essential tool for any digital marketer.

This report allows you to analyse which queries are bringing users to your site, what pages they land on, and how often your content appears in search results. You can track key metrics like clicks, impressions, average position, and click-through rate (CTR), all of which can help identify what’s working and where improvements are needed. By filtering data by date ranges, devices, countries, and pages, you can uncover performance patterns and tailor your content accordingly.

One powerful feature is the ability to compare data. For example, comparing the last 28 days with the previous period can reveal whether recent updates or campaigns have had a positive impact on your visibility. It also helps to spot sudden drops in performance, which could indicate indexing issues or algorithm changes that may need to be addressed quickly.

Don’t overlook the value in tracking low-hanging opportunities. Pages with high impressions but low CTRs can often be improved with better meta descriptions or more compelling titles. Likewise, identifying high-performing pages can inform your content strategy and guide internal linking efforts to spread SEO value across your site. The Search Results report isn’t just data — it’s a roadmap for growth.

Indexing issues can silently sabotage your SEO efforts. If your pages aren’t being indexed correctly, they won’t appear in search results—no matter how well-optimised they are.

Google Search Console makes it easy to spot and fix these problems. Start by heading to the Index Coverage report, which gives you a full picture of which URLs Google can and can’t index. Pay close attention to the “Excluded” category—this section reveals why certain pages are being left out, whether it's due to crawl anomalies, noindex tags, redirects, or canonical issues. By understanding what’s blocking your content, you can address these factors and help Google better access your site.

Also, regularly use the URL Inspection Tool to check how individual pages are being indexed. This tool shows you whether a page is in the index, when it was last crawled, and if any errors are present. You can even request indexing directly if you're confident that the page is ready. This is especially handy for new pages or recently updated content.

Finally, ensure your site’s structure and internal linking are solid. Sometimes a page isn’t indexed simply because Google can’t find it—or doesn’t consider it important enough. Strengthening internal links to key content and submitting your sitemap can improve indexing coverage over time, giving your most valuable pages a better shot at ranking well.

Google Search Console is a goldmine for discovering untapped keyword opportunities. By analysing the queries that bring users to your site, you can uncover what terms you're already ranking for—often without even trying.

Navigate to the 'Performance' report and select ‘Queries’ to view search terms that triggered your pages in Google. Sort by impressions to identify high-traffic keywords you haven’t specifically targeted. Many of these may rank on page two or beyond, offering you a clear optimisation path. By adding relevant content, adjusting on-page SEO, or improving internal linking, you can boost rankings for these hidden gems.

It’s also effective to analyse long-tail queries that show user intent. Even if clicks are low, these keywords can reveal gaps in your content strategy or opportunities to answer niche questions your audience is already asking. Incorporating these queries into existing content or creating new pages around them can result in higher engagement, more traffic, and better visibility over time.

Don't overlook seasonal or trending queries, either. Use date filters to compare recent performance against previous periods. A sudden spike in impressions for a specific term could signal the chance to capture new search interest—especially if competitors haven’t optimised for it yet. Staying on top of these changes can give you a competitive edge and help your SEO efforts scale more effectively.

The Coverage report in Google Search Console is a crucial tool for keeping tabs on your site’s overall health. It helps identify indexing issues and highlights potential roadblocks that could affect your SEO performance.

Within the Coverage report, you’ll find a breakdown of URLs that are valid, those with warnings, and pages excluded from indexing. This categorisation allows you to quickly detect and diagnose problems such as server errors, crawl anomalies, and redirected pages. It’s an efficient way to prioritise what needs fixing, especially when dealing with larger sites where issues can go unnoticed.

Pay close attention to the “Error” and “Valid with warning” sections, as they often point to critical technical issues that can hinder your visibility in search results. For example, if an important page is showing as excluded due to a “noindex” tag or is blocked by robots.txt, it could be unintentionally omitted from indexing. Fixing these errors ensures more of your valuable content is available to Google and users alike.

Another advantage of the Coverage report is the ability to monitor new problems as they appear over time. Regularly checking it means you can catch sudden drops in indexed pages or address fresh crawl issues before they impact your rankings. With Google Search Console’s detailed diagnostics, you’re not just reacting—you're staying ahead of the curve.

Backlinks are a critical factor in determining your website’s authority and search rankings. Google Search Console provides tools to help you monitor these links and take steps to build a stronger link profile.

Within the Links report, you can see which websites link to your site, which pages get the most links, and what anchor text is being used. This data is essential for spotting your most valuable backlinks and identifying any low-quality or spammy links that could be harming your rankings. Comparing your top linked pages with your SEO goals can also reveal whether your most important content is receiving adequate support from external sites.

Another key benefit of tracking backlinks in Google Search Console is uncovering patterns in who is linking to you. If you notice a consistent source or industry referring traffic your way, it could signal an opportunity for partnership or content collaboration. These insights can directly inform your outreach strategy for link building, helping you focus your efforts on channels that already show interest in your content.

While GSC doesn’t provide full backlink data like some specialised SEO tools, it’s still incredibly useful for maintaining a healthy link profile. By regularly reviewing your backlinks, disavowing toxic ones, and reinforcing strong ones, you can steadily improve your website's authority and visibility in organic search results.

Whether local or global, we help your brand rise in search.