Ever wondered how top CEOs and founders elevate their website’s SEO using Google Search Console? In this article, experts share nineteen invaluable insights, starting with the powerful use of Regex in Performance Reports and concluding with the strategic monitoring of Index Coverage and the Links Report. These tips offer actionable advice straight from industry leaders, ensuring your SEO strategies are as effective as possible. Get ready to transform your website’s performance with these expert-endorsed techniques.
- Use Regex in Performance Report
- Optimize Almost-There Keywords
- Filter Queries with Low CTR
- Improve Low-CTR Pages
- Boost Pages Ranking 11-20
- Identify High-Impression, Low-CTR Keywords
- Analyze Queries for Keyword Opportunities
- Monitor Search Analytics Report
- Use Search Console with Internet Archive
- Fix Indexing Issues in Coverage Report
- Increase Backlinks with External Links Report
- Improve Click Rate with URL Inspection
- Submit URLs for Faster Indexing
- Check Mobile Usability Report
- Optimize On-Page SEO for High-Impression Queries
- Improve Page Experience with Core Web Vitals
- Request Indexing for New Content
- Check Indexing and Fix 404 Errors
- Monitor Index Coverage and Links Report
Founders and experts provide their opinions
Use Regex in Performance Report
One of my favorite features in Google Search Console is using the Performance Report with a little regex magic to find opportunities in the questions people are asking. Specifically, I’ll use the regex filter ^(how|why|can|what|where|when|who|which|whose|whom|does|do|is|are|was|were|could|should|would|will|did|may|might|shall|must)\b to dig into question-based keywords.
This lets me zero in on all the queries where people are clearly looking for answers. I’ll take these questions and make sure my content is directly addressing them-maybe add a clear FAQ section, create a better H2 heading with that exact phrasing, or just make the answer more obvious.
It’s all about giving users what they need right away. These kinds of tweaks often lead to better rankings for those question-based searches and help push my content into those coveted featured snippets. Plus, it’s a great way to really connect with what your audience is curious about.
Nathaniel Miller
Founder, The SEO Marketing Dad
Optimize Almost-There Keywords
Google Search Console has been invaluable for refining my website’s SEO. One feature I particularly rely on is the Performance Report. This report provides insights into which queries drive traffic, how pages perform in terms of clicks and impressions, and the average ranking position for each keyword.
I regularly analyze the queries and pages sections to identify keywords where my site ranks on the second or third page. For these “almost-there” keywords, I optimize the corresponding pages by improving content relevance, adding keywords naturally, and sometimes adjusting internal linking to highlight those pages.
For example, one of my blog posts was ranking around position 12 for a high-intent keyword. After identifying this in Search Console, I revisited the page, added a FAQ section addressing related queries, and enhanced the content depth. Within a month, that post moved up to the first page, leading to a 30% increase in organic traffic for that keyword.
The Performance Report has been a game-changer because it provides actionable insights that allow me to target low-hanging fruit and see results quickly.
Rasmus Schack
CEO, Onemedia
Filter Queries with Low CTR
One of the most valuable features in Google Search Console for improving SEO is the Performance Report, specifically the Query Filter. I use this to uncover low-hanging fruit keywords-queries where my pages rank in positions 8-20. These keywords are close to the first page but need a boost.
Here’s the advanced part: I filter for queries with high impressions but low click-through rates (CTR). Then, I optimize the corresponding pages by tweaking title tags and meta descriptions to make them more compelling. Sometimes, I’ll even add a FAQ section targeting those exact queries. This not only improves CTR but often bumps those rankings to the top of page one.
It’s a game-changer for identifying quick wins and steadily increasing organic traffic.
Hicham Badri
Blogger, SEO Expert, GamerProspect
Improve Low-CTR Pages
Google Search Console (GSC) is an invaluable tool for fine-tuning our SEO strategy; we particularly rely on the “Performance” report.
It provides detailed insights into search queries, clicks, impressions, and average position for each page on our site. This helps us understand what content is driving traffic and where there’s potential for growth or risks of decline.
We identify pages with high impressions but lower-than-expected click-through rates (CTR). By pinpointing these pages, we can make targeted updates-such as refining meta titles and descriptions to make them more compelling or adding structured data for richer search results.
This approach has helped us drive meaningful increases in traffic by focusing on pages with high visibility, ensuring they convert that visibility into engagement. Through regular monitoring and iterative adjustments based on GSC data, we continually boost our site’s relevance and effectiveness in search rankings.
Lawrence Harmer
Founder & Director, Solve
Boost Pages Ranking 11-20
In my medical SEO work, I use GSC (Google Search Console) on a daily basis. One quick tip is to view page ranking data and then filter all pages ranking between 11 and 20. These are quick wins for my clients, as they are already being awarded a decent place (10+) in the SERPs, so they need a small push. As soon as we have filtered out these gaps, we can add more information (maybe a key insights section, a few more FAQs based on the People Also Ask panel) and internal links from other pages that are already doing well. If we can also add a few backlinks, that usually gets the more stubborn ones to increase in rankings. I always resubmit for indexation and then track the pages we have optimized. 99% of the time, it works.
Ramona Jar
Medical SEO Expert, The Medically
Identify High-Impression, Low-CTR Keywords
Google Search Console is an essential tool in my digital marketing toolkit for improving a website’s SEO. One specific feature I find invaluable is the “Performance” report. This feature provides detailed insights into how your site is performing in Google Search, including data on clicks, impressions, click-through rates (CTR), and average position.
I use this data to identify which keywords are driving traffic to the site and how well those keywords are performing. For example, if I notice that a particular keyword has a high number of impressions but a low CTR, it indicates that while people are finding the content, they’re not clicking through. This insight prompts me to revisit the meta titles and descriptions to make them more compelling and relevant. Additionally, the Performance report helps in spotting new keyword opportunities or trends over time.
By continuously monitoring these metrics, I can make informed adjustments to content and SEO strategies, which gradually improves the site’s visibility and traffic. It’s all about fine-tuning the elements that connect search intent with the content we offer, making sure we’re always moving toward better results.
Suzanne Harston
Business Development Manager, Newcrest Digital
Analyze Queries for Keyword Opportunities
One of the features I find most valuable in Google Search Console is the “Queries” tab. It shows how users find your website during search queries and tracks the number of clicks each keyword generates. By analyzing this data, I can identify keywords with high impressions that aren’t converting into clicks. Once I have a list of underperforming keywords, I use them as inspiration to optimize existing pages, brainstorm new blog posts that align with user searches, and create landing pages with SEO built around a specific keyword.
This valuable insight not only improves my site’s relevance in search results but also increases the chances of attracting more visitors. Overall, leveraging insights from Google Search Console allows website developers to fine-tune their strategies, ensuring we connect with the right audience using the terms they search for most often.
Abigail Kruger
Owner, Current Creative Design
Monitor Search Analytics Report
I go to Google Search Console at least once a week to monitor our website’s performance and make improvements based on the data. One specific feature I find valuable is the “Search Analytics” report, which shows us the top search queries that bring traffic to our website.
I use this valuable insight to identify keywords and phrases that are driving traffic but may not be fully optimized on our website. This allows me to make changes and improvements to our content and meta tags accordingly. This feature also helps us understand our audience better by showing their location, the devices used, and other search terms they use to find us.
I noticed that this information is vital in continuously improving our SEO strategy and ensuring we are reaching our target audience effectively through organic search. It’s a powerful tool that allows us to make data-driven decisions and continuously optimize our website for better search engine visibility. According to Forbes, “Google Search Console is a must-have tool for anyone serious about SEO,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Daniel Cook
HR / Marketing Executive, Mullen and Mullen
Use Search Console with Internet Archive
Search Console is a great tool to get an overview of organic traffic to your website, or to specific folders, pages, or keywords. While a graph that slopes ever-upwards always brings a smile, it can also help identify when drops in traffic occurred. I use it in conjunction with Internet Archive, which stores a history of the web over time, and dates of Google algorithm updates, to identify what caused any issues and how to resolve them.
One limit of Search Console is bulk keyword research for sites with many pages. The export function splits “pages” and “keywords” into separate tabs, which can be frustrating. To get around this, I recommend Search Analytics for Sheets, a free App which allows you to export pages and keywords together, enabling you to match up to 25,000 keywords to different pages simultaneously. This is incredibly useful when optimizing existing content and I find it better than any other keyword research tool, including Semrush and Ahrefs, as it’s based on actual, rather than hypothetical, traffic.
Martin Woods
Head of SEO, Indigoextra
Fix Indexing Issues in Coverage Report
I frequently use Google Search Console to identify and address areas for SEO improvement on our website. One feature in Google Search Console that I find invaluable as Head of Content Marketing is the Coverage Report. This tool helps me monitor and fix issues related to indexing and crawlability on our website.
For example, I often review pages marked as “Excluded” or “Error” to identify any that should be indexed but are currently being missed due to issues like redirect errors or crawl blocks. Recently, I discovered several blog pages that weren’t being indexed due to an accidental “noindex” tag. By promptly fixing this, I was able to get those pages indexed, resulting in a noticeable boost in organic traffic to those specific articles.
The Coverage Report ensures our content is accessible to search engines and fully optimized, which is essential to improving visibility and ranking. This proactive approach helps us maintain a well-functioning, SEO-friendly site structure, which is crucial for ongoing growth.
Sebastian Petrosi
Head of Content Marketing, Howtostream.ca
Increase Backlinks with External Links Report
One of Google Search Console’s most valuable features for improving SEO is the Links report. This report includes sections for both external and internal links. For external links, there are three reports: Top linked pages, Top linking sites, and Top linking text. For internal links, there is a single report focusing on the Top linked pages.
I use the External Links report to increase backlinks. To find this, navigate to the “Links” section in Google Search Console and click “More” under the “Top linking sites” section. This report provides a list of domains linking to your site. Since these sites have linked to your content previously, reaching out to them again often helps secure additional backlinks.
To request new backlinks, I first review the content that already links to my site and identify areas where additional links would be relevant. I then reach out to the appropriate contact via email or LinkedIn outreach, suggesting more pages or resources that could be linked. This approach leverages existing relationships and enhances the overall link profile.
MD. Raisul Islam
Digital Marketing Executive, MeasureMinds Group
Improve Click Rate with URL Inspection
For my business, I use Google Search Console to see which pages are ranking and getting clicks. If the click rate is low, I try to improve the landing page to increase the click-through rate as well as optimize conversions on that page. The Coverage Report is also very important as it shows how many errors and warnings are on the pages. I am also constantly checking the Links Report to see if any unwanted links are there, which we need to disavow from our pages.
One specific feature that I find valuable is the URL Inspection Tool, which helps me see if a page is indexed correctly. It identifies any pages with errors or crawl problems so we can resolve them and keep our website optimized.
Anam Barkan
CEO, HireGO Minibuses
Submit URLs for Faster Indexing
The URL Inspection Tool is one of the most valuable tools in Google Search Console to improve website SEO. With this feature, you get precise information about how Google sees each page, so you can solve indexing issues as well as content display problems. Inspecting a URL will let you see if the page has been indexed, errors that are affecting its performance, or how Google knows of enhancements like mobile usability or structured data. This is a simple way to understand what Google thinks of each page and what actions to take to optimize it for search.
The URL Inspection Tool also lets you submit new or updated pages for indexing and to speed up the process of Google’s review and potentially see recent content or fixes reflected in search results sooner. This feature is especially useful when your content is updated to reflect such new information or to target new keywords. Regularly inspecting and submitting your URLs helps you guarantee that your content is accessible, accurate, and search visibility optimized, and that’s good for your website’s SEO health and performance.
Mei Ping Mak
Director of SEO and Web, SEO Singapore Agency
Check Mobile Usability Report
The feature I currently use most frequently and consider very valuable is the “Mobile Usability” report in Google Search Console. Because our platform supports users to directly take photos and upload problem images, usage on mobile devices is very common. This report allows me to view the friendliness of our page on mobile devices, including whether there are issues like slow loading, buttons that are too small, or content that exceeds the screen.
Optimizing these issues and ensuring that page design meets the reading and interaction needs of mobile users can improve user experience and page dwell time, thereby having a positive impact on our SEO rankings. In addition, Google prioritizes displaying pages that are well-optimized for mobile devices, making mobile experience optimization a necessary means of attracting users.
In addition, I now also frequently use a function that provides detailed data about external and internal links. It can help me plan more clearly to get high-quality external and internal links to enhance the competitiveness of our website.
Eve Bai
International Partnerships and Operations Manager, StudyX.AI
Optimize On-Page SEO for High-Impression Queries
If you want your website to show up higher on Google quickly, this is what you need to do in Google Search Console. This is going to boost your position on Google for keywords you naturally rank for.
Open Google Search Console, select your website, and navigate to the “Performance” tab. In this report, you’ll see all the search queries that have been searched on Google where your website has come up in the search results. This means you’re already ranking for these keywords, but you may not be ranking high enough to get significant clicks.
Sort the report by “Clicks” to identify the keywords you’re ranking best for. Alternatively, sort by “Impressions” to find the keywords that have the highest search volume. Then, compare the impressions to the number of clicks you’re receiving.
Look for queries where the impressions are high, but the clicks are low. This indicates that your page appears frequently in searches but isn’t attracting enough clicks. Click on the query and switch to the “Pages” tab to see which pages of your website are showing up for that search term. Choose the page you want to rank for this specific query.
Once you’ve identified the target page, proceed with optimizing its on-page SEO to better align with the chosen query. This may include updating the title tag, meta description, header tags (H1, H2), and ensuring that the content matches the search intent of the keyword.
Alex Martkovich
Founder, New Digital
Improve Page Experience with Core Web Vitals
If I was to share one tool that can significantly help improve the SEO of your website, while also being somewhat overshadowed by the more common uses of Search Console features, it would be the Page Experience tool in Google Search Console.
This feature is essential for SEO, as it provides insights into how users genuinely interact with a site, something we now know Google places increasingly more weight on when crawling and analyzing websites. This feature evaluates key factors like loading speed, interactivity, visual stability, mobile usability, and HTTPS security—elements that significantly impact user experience & satisfaction, and subsequently, your sites ranking potential.
For example, by examining Core Web Vitals within the Page Experience report, we can identify precise areas—such as enhancing loading times or reducing layout shifts—that may need improvement. Addressing these directly supports your website’s compliance with guidelines we know Google prioritizes (those that contribute toward user experience).
With detailed feedback for both desktop and mobile, the Page Experience tool enables us to make targeted, user-first optimisations that not only elevate SEO performance but also foster a more satisfying journey for visitors.
Elliot Stanion
Deputy Head of SEO, The SEO Works
Request Indexing for New Content
My go-to tool in Google Search Console is the URL Inspection Tool (Request indexing for a URL). It’s particularly helpful for ensuring new content is indexed promptly, especially for less authoritative websites with fewer backlinks. While I typically rely on natural indexing, this feature is a valuable asset.
Akif Ulutaş
Performance Marketer, Blogger, Keyofroi
Check Indexing and Fix 404 Errors
When it comes to SEO, Google is the primary search engine everyone is trying to optimize for. So, the first tool to use when working to improve your site’s rank should be Google Search Console.
Step 1: Use Google Search Console
Google Search Console provides valuable insights into how Google views your site and identifies any issues it may encounter. One of the most useful sections is the “Pages” tab under “Indexing.” Here, you can see how Google perceives your site and discover any issues needing resolution.
Step 2: Check Indexing Issues
Start by looking at the “Discovered – currently not indexed” and “Crawled – currently not indexed” statuses. These indicate pages that Google has found but has not indexed, meaning they won’t appear in search results. Review these pages and request indexing for any that should be visible on Google (you are limited to 20 requests per day).
Step 3: Address 404 Errors
Next, review any 404 errors Google has identified. Fix these errors on your site. If the 404s are coming from external links, set up redirects to guide users to the most appropriate page.
Step 4: Clean Up Redirects
Finally, look at pages listed as ‘Page with Redirect’. While these don’t typically impact user experience, Google favors transparency, so removing unnecessary redirects is recommended. This also helps manage your crawl budget, allowing GoogleBot to focus on real pages you want to rank.
Note: don’t aim for zero issues. A perfect score with zero issues is not realistic, as Google’s automated tool may flag things that aren’t actual problems, such as marking your admin page as “noindex” (which is intentional). Instead, use this tool to identify and address significant issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Mike Espie
Digital Marketer, mikeespie.com
Monitor Index Coverage and Links Report
There are many ways you can use Google Search Console to drive actionable insights, but these are the ones that I think everyone should pay attention to.
1. Index coverage status – I start by checking the number of pages that are indexed. It is common to have some pages that are not indexed; it is more crucial to make sure the pages that need to be indexed are present. If that’s the case, then it shows me that there might be some technical errors preventing this page from indexing, or the content is too thin.
2. Links report – It shows the latest links to your website from external sources. When we work with clients, this is particularly important because it allows us to assess the effectiveness of our link-building campaigns. It is helpful to have a comprehensive view of the backlink profile, even though it might not always display all of the links to your website and occasionally be slow about it.
3. Performance evaluation – In my opinion, some metrics, when analyzed on their own can be misleading for evaluating SEO performance, especially when looking at the website level. For example, your website might have high rankings for many low-volume keywords, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will significantly increase your traffic. That’s why they should be assessed over time and on a page level to provide a more accurate picture. I always look for fluctuations in impressions and clicks.
Boris Dzhingarov
CEO, ESBO Ltd.
