How Google Search Console Works and How to Use It to Optimise Your Content for Search Engines
If you’re serious about SEO in 2025, understanding Google Search Console is essential. It’s one of the most powerful (and free) tools available to help you monitor your website’s performance, identify technical issues, and improve how your content performs in Google search.
Whether you’re a small business owner in Perth or a digital marketer in Sydney, using Google Search Console effectively can give you the insights needed to grow your organic traffic and rankings.
What Is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (GSC) is a free platform provided by Google that helps you track and maintain your site’s presence in Google Search results. It doesn’t influence rankings directly, but it shows you how your site is performing and alerts you to issues that may be hurting visibility.
Key features include:
- Performance tracking (clicks, impressions, CTR, average position)
- Index coverage reports
- Page Experience and Core Web Vitals data
- Mobile usability testing
- Sitemap and URL inspection tools
- Security and manual action alerts
Why Google Search Console Matters for SEO
GSC offers real-time data about how Google views your site. For content creators and business owners, this means:
- Understanding which pages drive traffic
- Discovering which keywords your site ranks for
- Finding crawl or indexing errors
- Identifying content that needs improvement
If you’re aiming to optimise your site, Google Search Console is your front-line dashboard.
How to Set Up Google Search Console
Getting started is simple:
- Go to search.google.com/search-console
- Add your website property (domain or URL prefix)
- Verify ownership using one of the methods:
- Domain verification via DNS
- HTML tag
- Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager
- Once verified, data will start populating within a few days
Key Reports You Should Use
Here’s a breakdown of the most valuable reports and how they help you optimise content:
Report Name | What It Tells You | How to Use It |
---|---|---|
Performance Report | Clicks, impressions, CTR, position per keyword | Identify top-performing keywords and content |
Coverage Report | Indexing issues, crawl errors | Fix pages that Google can’t access |
Page Experience Report | Core Web Vitals + HTTPS status | Improve load speed and UX |
Mobile Usability Report | Mobile-specific issues | Ensure site is responsive and user-friendly |
URL Inspection Tool | Index status of specific pages | Submit new or updated URLs for indexing |
How to Optimise Content Using Google Search Console
Using GSC, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your SEO. Here are some strategies:
1. Improve Low-CTR Pages
Look at pages with high impressions but low click-through rates. Try updating:
- Meta titles and descriptions
- Rich snippets (if applicable)
- Headlines for clarity and relevance
2. Expand on High-Performing Keywords
See what keywords your pages are already ranking for, then:
- Add more content targeting related search queries
- Use variations of the keyword naturally
- Improve internal linking to those pages
3. Fix Indexing Issues
Use the Coverage and URL Inspection tools to:
- Find 404 errors or excluded pages
- Ensure all important pages are indexed
- Submit updated or new pages for faster indexing
4. Monitor Core Web Vitals
Under Page Experience, check if your site meets Google’s speed and responsiveness standards. If not:
- Compress images
- Minimise JavaScript
- Improve server response time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many businesses don’t get the most from Google Search Console because they:
- Only check it when something breaks
- Ignore mobile usability errors
- Don’t act on keyword performance insights
- Fail to fix persistent crawl issues
Make it a habit to review GSC weekly. It’s not just a diagnostics tool—it’s a roadmap to better SEO.
Final Thoughts: Make Google Search Console Part of Your Strategy
In 2025, tools like Google Search Console are no longer optional. They are central to a data-driven SEO strategy. GSC shows you what Google sees, and when you understand that, you can optimise with purpose.
At E-Web Marketing, we help Australian businesses use Google Search Console to its full potential. From audits to strategy, we turn insights into action that drives results.
Want help making the most of your data? Let’s talk.
Better insights. Smarter optimisation. Real growth.