Google Search Console (Formerly Known As Google Webmaster Tools)

Google Search Console is a free online service that provides valuable metrics to website owners. If you’re looking for a simple free way to gather useful information about your website, submit a sitemap, and you just feel like somedays Google Analytics doesn't give you enough information (note sarcasm) then allow me to show you the essentials of Google Search Console.

Its fine if you don't have Google Analytics yet, I will add an introduction to Google Analytics soon.


What is Google Search Console?

Among many other things, Google Search Console’s main functions allow you to check your index status, optimize your site by eliminating errors commonly overlooked, and gives you pre site search analytics data. Used properly (ideally in conjunction with Google Analytics) can be a very powerful tool to help you get the most out of your your website.

Let’s get right into it!



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Recent messages
YaredAbebe Premium
Hello Matt. Thank you so much for the training. I have the Search Console for about a week now. When I go to "Sear Appearance > Structured Data", I see that I have 23 errors on 14 of my pages.The errors are "Missing Author" and "Missing Updated". Is this a serious matter I should worry about?
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YaredAbebe Premium
Thank you. I will check it out.
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SamiWilliams Premium Plus
Matt
Quick question, Does the email address used for site id and the email address of the Google account need to be the same?
I wanted to use the easy method, as I am not comfortable with adding code yet- know I can do it, but was just wanting to funnel the information from Google to another account.
Thank you,
Sami
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MattHojsik Premium
I think I understand the question but let me know if I didn't.

As long as you have a google account say used for gmail, you can sign into search console and add your sites. If you want to verify a another google account onto the same search console that has your sites on it, you can do that too.

Did that answer your question? Let me know if it didn't, haven't had my coffee yet!
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SamiWilliams Premium Plus
Yes Matt, I think it did. Just was having difficulty with verifying site, but will try again after rereading the information.
Thanks, Sami
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MattHojsik Premium
Absolutely! Make sure to contact me if you do end up needing anymore help. Search Console and Analytics are two services I've been using a lot lately and I mine as well make good use of it :)
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SamiWilliams Premium Plus
Finally completed!
tAs with most of my computer issues I am sure the problems were user causes, but am now verified!
Thanks for your help!
Sami
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MattHojsik Premium
Awesome, Sami! Glad you're all set! Feel free to reach out anytime if you have a question, I'm more than happy to help when I can!
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Rodwell Premium
A REALLY well laid out description with step by step info.
Well done - keep up the good work.
Tony
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MattHojsik Premium
Thank you so much, Tony! Means a lot to me! Hope I can continue making helpful trainings for people. I'm thinking about doing a Google Analytics tutorial next.
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Rodwell Premium
Matt, that would be perfect timing - I am having a few problems understanding some of this. Some errors showing up.
I look forward to it.
Take care and all the very best,
Tony
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MattHojsik Premium
Where were you having some problems? I would be more than happy to help. And I'm also looking forward to making the analytics training! I'm wondering if I should make one or split it into an introduction and advanced though. Any opinions?
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Rodwell Premium
Hi Matt, I appreciate the offer and will check what the ACTUAL issues are. With regards to your question, I guess it depends on the size of the post required to present the training. Sometimes the technical presentations take a bit of absorbing .......and MAY be better in two or more parts.
All the best,
Tony
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MattHojsik Premium
Yeah the more that I lay out my training for Google Analytics I definitely will need two or more parts. There is so much you can do with it when you really dig in.
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BrooklynPhil Premium
I appreciate your efforts, but you just confused the heck out of me. I made it to Lesson 4, but I have no idea where you found the Verification Code.
My fault I'm sure.
"Make it Idiot Proof and somebody will make a better Idiot"
I am talking about me.
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MattHojsik Premium
Aw man I was really hoping I laid it out nicely! I edited the start of lesson four to show where you get your verification meta tag, let me know if that makes sense. If it doesn't I'm going to edit it again!

I appreciate the feedback because I definitely want it to be very easy to understand! Let me know :)
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BrooklynPhil Premium
I'm sorry Dude, I'm on Lesson 4 and I'm not getting to Step 1. Copy your meta tag.
I'm not getting to the same window that you're showing.
I'm getting, In Google Search Console "Property added. Please check your email for a message with next steps."
No email I checked. I'm stumped.
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MattHojsik Premium
Do you see manage property on the right in Search Console? Try clicking that and click verify site. If you don't see that option attach a screen shot to your next reply so I can help you out better! :)
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BrooklynPhil Premium
In Search Console I see Manage Property, when I click on it I get a drop down menu with two choices:
Add or remove users
or Delete property

I don't want either choice.
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MattHojsik Premium
If you don't see Verify, I think your site might already be verified! To see if it is already verified click your site URL there to the left of the manage property button. Once on your dashboard click the grey gear icon in the top right, that will open a dropdown and you will see verification details. Click that, and it will tell you if, when and how you verified your site
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BrooklynPhil Premium
Okay, I am verified, 339 days ago, Method Google Analytics.
Now what?
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MattHojsik Premium
Awesome! Well if you want to check out the rest of the training, I explain some of the awesome features of Search Console, also how to submit a sitemap if you haven't yet. Also feel free to ask any other questions about Search Console I didn't cover. This was really only meant to be an introduction and if people want I would be more than happen to cover some of the advanced features.
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SamiWilliams Premium Plus
Thanks and book marked
Sami
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MattHojsik Premium
You're welcome, Sami! I'm honored you bookmarked it! :)
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