Quick answer: Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that shows how your website performs in Google Search. To start, add your site as a property (a Domain property is best), verify it with a DNS record, and submit your XML sitemap. Then use four reports most: Performance (searches, clicks and rankings), Pages (which pages are indexed and why others are not), URL Inspection (check and request indexing for one page), and Sitemaps.
Step 1: Add and verify your website
There are two property types:
| Type | Covers | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Every version: http, https, www and subdomains | DNS TXT record at your domain provider |
| URL prefix | Only the exact address you enter | HTML file, meta tag, Google Analytics or Tag Manager |
Choose Domain if you can edit your DNS (for example in Hostinger, GoDaddy or Cloudflare). Data can take a few days to appear.
Step 2: Submit your sitemap
Go to Sitemaps and enter your sitemap address. WordPress SEO plugins create one automatically, often at /sitemap_index.xml (Yoast and Rank Math). This helps Google discover your pages.
Step 3: Understand the Performance report
- Clicks: how many times people clicked through to your site.
- Impressions: how many times your pages appeared in results.
- CTR: clicks divided by impressions.
- Average position: your typical ranking (1 is the top).
Use the Queries and Pages tabs to find quick wins: pages ranking in positions 8–20, or pages with many impressions but a low CTR. Improving titles and content on these often brings more clicks fast.
Step 4: Fix indexing problems in the Pages report
The Pages report lists why some URLs are not indexed. The most common reasons:
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Crawled – currently not indexed | Google saw the page but chose not to index it | Improve or merge thin content; add internal links |
| Discovered – currently not indexed | Google knows the URL but has not crawled it yet | Add internal links; reduce low-value URLs |
| Excluded by “noindex” tag | The page asks not to be indexed | Fine for tags and admin pages; remove noindex from real articles |
| Page with redirect | The URL redirects elsewhere | Normal after merging pages |
| Not found (404) | The page no longer exists | Redirect if it had traffic or links |
| Duplicate, Google chose different canonical | Google treats another URL as the main version | Merge duplicates and set correct canonicals |
After fixing an issue, click Validate fix so Google rechecks those pages.
Step 5: Use URL Inspection
Paste any URL from your site into the search bar at the top. You will see whether it is indexed, when it was last crawled, and the canonical Google chose. Click Request indexing after publishing or significantly updating an important page. There is a daily limit, so use it for key pages only.
Other useful reports
- Core Web Vitals: loading speed and stability on mobile and desktop.
- HTTPS: confirms pages are served securely.
- Links: top linking sites and your most-linked pages.
- Manual actions and Security issues: any penalties or hacking problems.
- Enhancements: structured data such as breadcrumbs, FAQs, products or videos.
A simple weekly routine
- Check for new errors in Pages, Manual actions and Security issues.
- Find one page with high impressions and low CTR, and improve its title.
- Request indexing for new or updated key posts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Search Console free?
Yes, completely free.
What is the difference between Search Console and Google Analytics?
Search Console shows what happens in Google Search before people click. Analytics shows what visitors do on your site after they arrive.
How long does indexing take?
Anything from a few hours to several weeks. Strong internal links and quality content help.
Next, read about SEO mistakes that cost traffic and how to set up Rank Math.
