Let's Take You Through The Top Reports, Step-By-Step
Last time, we explained what Google Search Console is and got you set up. Now, it’s time to actually use it.
Think of Search Console as a direct line of communication between your website and Google. While other tools tell you what people do on your site, Search Console tells you how they found you. Running these reports helps you stop guessing and start making decisions based on what your customers are actually searching for.
Did You Know? By spending just ten minutes a month reviewing these reports, you can identify which of your services are gaining traction and catch technical glitches before they cost you a lead.
How to Run Your Performance Report (The “Visibility” Check)
This is the most popular report because it shows you the actual words people type into Google to find you.
- Log In: Go to search.google.com/search-console and sign in.
Find the Menu: On the left-hand sidebar, look for the Performance section and click on Search results.
Set Your Dates: At the very top, you’ll see a filter that likely says “Date: Last 3 months.” You can click this to change it to “Last 28 days” if you want to see more recent data.
Read the Chart: You’ll see four colored boxes: Total Clicks, Total Impressions, Average CTR, and Average Position. Click on Average Position so it turns purple. This shows you exactly where you rank on the page for your keywords.
Scroll Down: Below the graph is a table. The Queries tab shows the top phrases people used. The Pages tab shows which of your blog posts or service pages are the most popular.
How to Check Your Site’s Health (The “Indexing” Report)
If a page isn’t “indexed,” it means Google doesn’t know it exists. It will never show up in a search result. Here is how to make sure Google can see you:
Locate “Indexing”: In that same left-hand sidebar, look for the Indexing section and click Pages.
Check the Summary: You will see a simple bar chart.
Green (Indexed): These pages are live on Google.
Gray (Not indexed): These pages are not showing up in search results.
Identify Issues: Scroll down to the table labeled “Why pages aren’t indexed.” If you see an error like “Not found (404),” it means you have a broken link that needs to be fixed.
The “Insights” Shortcut: If you want the “cliff notes” version, look for Search Console Insights at the very top of your main Overview page. It’s a simplified, mobile-friendly summary created specifically for busy business owners.
Pro Tip: The “Hidden Gem” Keyword Check
Now that you know how to run your Performance Report, I have a 2-minute challenge for you. This is the fastest way to find a hidden gem for your business.
Open your Performance Report in Search Console.
Scroll down to the Queries table.
Look for a phrase that has a high number of Impressions (people are seeing you) but very few Clicks (they aren’t choosing you).
This tells you exactly what your next blog post or service page update should be. If people are seeing your site for a specific service but not clicking, it usually means you just need to update your Meta Description in Yoast or Rank Math to be more inviting.
Fixing just one of these hidden gems can lead to a new customer this month without spending a dime on ads.
Are You Showing Up for Your Local Customers?
Running these reports is about more than just numbers. It’s about making sure your business is the first one your local residents see when they search for your services. If you’ve looked at your Search Console and aren’t sure if you’re winning the local search battle in your area, you don’t have to guess.
I help small business owners like you turn these technical reports into a local growth plan. Whether you need to fix errors that are hiding you from local leads or you want a full SEO audit to outrank the competition down the street, I can provide the answers and the help you need.
Contact me today to schedule a quick 20-minute Zoom chat.