Using GSC to find Underperforming Posts
Ever wondered which posts are not doing as well as before?
Well, now within Google Search Console (GSC) you can identify which posts are underperforming compared to a previous time.
This will require you to select two dates so you can compare the current performance compared to the previous period.
Trust me, it is not as hard as it may sound and I have added images to help you out.
Here are the simple steps to take.
Step 1: Go to your Google Search Console.
Step 2: Go to Performance
Step 3: Click on the Date Filter
Step 4: Once you click the date filter set it to compare.
Here, you can choose whatever date ranges you want but it is best to go for the usual 28 days as per below.
Once you tick the circle for the date, go to the bottom and click apply.
This will bring up the metrics for two separate dates and can then see the impressions from each period as shown in Step 5 below.
Step 5: Select pages
Select pages as this will show you after the next step which posts are underperforming compared to the previous period.
Step 6: Sort the Data
First, you need to sort out the data.
So, click on the click difference as well as the Impressions as shown by the arrows.
Then look at the most important one, which is the click difference, and you may need to click it again to get the highest result at the top.
Once done, look for any or all of the results that show a negative number as per above.
This now shows you which post(s) you have that are underperforming compared to the last period in this case, over the 28-day periods for both times.
Step 7: Fix and Improve posts
Now you know which posts are underperforming, these are the ones you will need to focus on and improve what needs to be done to get them performing better once more.
I told you; it was simple.
In the meantime,M
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Great tutorial here. One impending question for you, Andre the GSC expert (LOL) 🤓 how do I know what to fix for my underperforming posts? I do not quite understand the point of it. I’ve seen it yes but what steps do I do to improve it if I dont know what needs to be done? It doesnt make sense to me. 🤔
Hi Brenda 🍵🍵
Thank you, I am by no means any form of GSC expert LOL
To improve any underperforming post would be done as any other post(s) than may have lost it rankings or are in a poor position within the ranking search enginess or not at all.
Pretty much what we have been taught here at WA.
Just do the usual checks such as is it up-to-date to current times, does it still provide a great user experience that is relevant to the title of the post.
Is it answering the question your readers are seeking along with is the title relevant to the topic and not clickbait.
Perhaps it may need not only an update and once done even take the opportunity to share the post on social media to give it a boost and get it back to performing at the same level as before or even better.
As for the purpose, it is a way to see how the post(s) are performing now compared to before.
This way you can pinpoint content that may have lost visibility or traffic over time.
Using the impressions figures to compare as well as the clicks.
Some may not change; some will show a backward movement hence the negative figure while others may show an improvement over the previous period.
You can also use the date filter and compare older post say 12 mnths ad see how they are going as well to today’s date.
This may also give you more posts that may be losing value over a longer period and as well know old posts if not doing as well may need a re-vamp at least once a year or at it’s worst every six months.
Also to give an added check on where you can improve why not go to AI whichever one you use or all of them for a wider response and give the copy the content there and ask AI to let you know what and where improvement need to be made.
Enjoy your Tea
Andre :)
Haha Andre, you answered like an expert would! Come on man take a compliment! You're too humble! Great idea about asking AI 🤔 hmm 🤞 it wont go ape on me! ( it hallucinates at time) I will experiment with the new GPT 4o see if it gives the answer for improving.
Remember my site isn't old enough yet to see alot of stats in my GSC.
Not even 12 months yet. Five months old. 45 posts I think. I am still working on it.
As far as socials you wont find me there at all except Pinterest. Traffic isnt much help there either so now gonna take it to the parasites seos like Partha stated. I asked someone to help me figure out how to post it there.
Thanks I appreciate the tea. I got chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and vanilla in my tea now. Helps my stomach to relax and reduces spasms.
Thanks again- 😀. I bookmarked this so I will remember what I need to do.
You are welcome Brenda glad you got your tea sorted out. Great choices to have.
Yes if you need to do what our prince stated I wish you well. Read that yesterday over there.
With social media do what you feel is comfortable but the most important part is making sure your posts are doing what they are meant to do and that is help your readers which I am sure you are doing things right.
yes I am sure AI will help at least they are good at giving ideas.
Have you tried Preplexity AI I have been testing it out a few times lately and am more impressed with it over Chatgpt.