How To Navigate Google Search Console (Inquiries, Videos Not Indexing and More)
How to navigate Google Search Console (Inquiries, Videos Not Indexing and More) is an essential skill for anyone looking to improve visibility and performance in search results. This powerful tool helps uncover technical issues, track keyword performance, and resolve indexing errors that may be holding your site back. By learning how to interpret its reports and take targeted action, you can strengthen both rankings and user experience.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to make sense of Search Console’s features, from URL inspections and index coverage to handling specific challenges like videos not showing up in search. Each section is designed to simplify complex reports into clear, actionable insights. With consistent monitoring, Google Search Console becomes a roadmap for boosting site performance and staying competitive online.
Setting Up Your Search Console Account for the First Time
Getting started with Google Search Console begins by signing into your Google account and visiting the Search Console homepage. From there, you will be prompted to add a new property, which can be done using either the Domain property option or the URL prefix option. The Domain property tracks your site across all subdomains and protocols, while the URL prefix option is specific to the exact URL you provide.
After choosing the property type, the next step is verification to prove that you own the website. Common verification methods include adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings, uploading an HTML file to your site, or inserting a meta tag in your homepage code. For example, if you select the DNS record method, you would log in to your domain registrar, add the TXT record provided by Google, and confirm ownership inside Search Console.
Once verified, your Search Console account will begin collecting data, though it may take a couple of days for reports to populate. During this time, it is helpful to submit a sitemap to speed up indexing and provide Google with a clear picture of your site’s structure. By completing this setup process correctly, you ensure that you have access to accurate reports and insights that will guide future SEO improvements.
Understanding the Search Performance Report
The Search Performance Report in Google Search Console gives you a detailed look at how your site appears in Google search results. It tracks key metrics such as total clicks, impressions, average click-through rate, and average position. These numbers help you see how often your pages are being shown, how many users are engaging, and where your site ranks for different queries.
A valuable feature of this report is the ability to filter results by search type, including web, image, video, and news. For example, if you run a video tutorial site, switching to the video search type lets you measure how well your video content is performing in Google’s video results. You can also filter by country, device, or date range to narrow down specific performance trends.
Beyond basic metrics, the report shows you the actual queries that drive traffic to your site. This is helpful for identifying keywords you already rank for, as well as spotting new opportunities to expand content. For instance, if you notice a page getting many impressions but low clicks, it may signal the need to improve your title tags or meta descriptions.
Regularly reviewing the Search Performance Report allows you to measure the impact of your SEO changes over time. Whether you’re testing new content, updating pages, or optimizing for mobile, this section of Search Console is the foundation for tracking results and refining your strategy.
How to Use the URL Inspection Tool Effectively
The URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console is designed to give you precise insights into how Google views a specific page on your website. By entering a URL, you can see whether it is indexed, if there are issues preventing it from appearing in search results, and when it was last crawled. This makes the tool especially useful for diagnosing indexing problems and confirming whether updates have been recognized.
Below is a breakdown of the core data you can review when inspecting a URL:
| Feature Reviewed | What It Shows | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Index Status | Whether the page is indexed or excluded | Helps confirm if Google can display the page in search results |
| Crawl Information | Last crawl date and crawl status | Indicates how frequently Googlebot visits the page and if errors occur |
| Coverage Details | Errors, warnings, or valid status | Allows you to pinpoint technical issues that may block indexing |
By regularly using the URL Inspection Tool, you can quickly verify if important content is being indexed properly and troubleshoot issues as they arise. It also provides direct feedback from Google’s index, making it more reliable than assuming a page is fine just because it loads correctly in a browser. This ensures your optimization efforts are actually reaching search engines and not just site visitors.
Index Coverage Report and Common Issues Explained
The Index Coverage Report in Google Search Console shows which of your pages are successfully indexed and which ones are excluded or encountering errors. This report helps you understand how well Google is crawling your site and whether important content is being discovered. By reviewing it regularly, you can catch technical issues early and prevent them from limiting visibility in search results.
One common issue you may see is “Crawled – currently not indexed,” which means Google has visited the page but has not added it to the index yet. Another frequent message is “Duplicate without user-selected canonical,” which signals that Google detected duplicate content and did not know which version to prioritize. For example, if both your “/about” and “/about-us” pages show similar content, Google may exclude one.
You may also encounter errors such as “Server error (5xx)” or “Redirect error,” which indicate problems with the site’s server or redirect setup. These errors often prevent Googlebot from successfully retrieving the page, resulting in lost indexing opportunities. Fixing these technical issues, such as adjusting server configurations or correcting broken redirects, ensures that Google can properly access your content.
By using the Index Coverage Report effectively, you gain a clear overview of your site’s health from Google’s perspective. It highlights the pages that are visible, the ones that need attention, and those that may require structural changes. Staying proactive with this report ensures your website remains optimized for consistent and reliable indexing.
Fixing Problems with Videos Not Indexing in Search
When videos fail to index in Google Search, it usually comes down to technical details that prevent Googlebot from understanding the content. One common reason is that the video is not properly embedded using supported formats or structured data. For instance, if a video is only added through JavaScript without schema markup, Google may not detect it at all.
To address this, ensure that you are using VideoObject schema markup, which provides Google with essential details like title, description, thumbnail, and duration. This markup helps Google recognize your video as rich media and increases the chances of it appearing in video search results. For example, adding schema to a product demo video page makes it more likely to show up with a thumbnail preview in search.
Another issue that can block video indexing is poor accessibility of the video file itself. If the video is hosted on a server that blocks Googlebot or the file is hidden behind login requirements, indexing will fail. Hosting the video on accessible platforms, creating a valid video sitemap, and using descriptive thumbnail images are all effective ways to resolve these problems.
Regularly checking the Enhancements section in Search Console can also provide specific warnings about video indexing. If errors are reported, such as missing thumbnails or invalid metadata, correcting those issues will often restore indexing. By systematically addressing these areas, you ensure that your video content is properly recognized and visible in Google Search.
Analyzing Mobile Usability Reports for Better Rankings
The Mobile Usability Report in Google Search Console highlights problems that affect how users experience your site on mobile devices. Since mobile-friendliness is a ranking factor, resolving these issues can directly improve your visibility in search results. By reviewing the report, you can quickly identify and fix errors that might be discouraging visitors from staying on your site.
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Text too small to read without zooming.
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Clickable elements placed too close together.
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Content wider than the screen, requiring horizontal scrolling.
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Viewport not set correctly for responsive design.
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Incompatible plugins or elements that do not load on mobile.
Fixing mobile usability problems ensures that your site delivers a smooth experience for all users, regardless of screen size. This not only reduces bounce rates but also signals to Google that your site is optimized for mobile browsing. Consistently monitoring the Mobile Usability Report helps you maintain strong rankings and meet the expectations of today’s mobile-first audience.
Leveraging the Enhancements Section for Rich Results
The Enhancements section in Google Search Console provides valuable insights into structured data elements that can help your site qualify for rich results. These reports highlight whether schema markup is implemented correctly and flag any errors that may limit visibility. By addressing issues here, you can make your listings more engaging with features like stars, images, and FAQs directly in search results.
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Breadcrumbs for clearer navigation paths in search results
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FAQ markup to display common questions and answers
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Product schema showing price, availability, and reviews
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Video schema providing thumbnails and key details
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Event markup highlighting dates, times, and locations
By focusing on these enhancements, you improve both the appearance and effectiveness of your listings in Google Search. Correctly implemented schema can lead to higher click-through rates and greater trust from users. Keeping this section error-free ensures that your site takes full advantage of the opportunities rich results provide.
Monitoring Page Experience and Core Web Vitals
The Page Experience and Core Web Vitals reports in Google Search Console measure how users perceive the performance and usability of your site. These reports evaluate real-world data from Chrome users, focusing on metrics such as loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Together, they provide a clear picture of whether your pages meet Google’s expectations for a smooth browsing experience.
Core Web Vitals are made up of three key metrics: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). For example, LCP measures how quickly the main content loads, while CLS tracks whether page elements unexpectedly move around as the user interacts. If a blog post takes too long to load or buttons shift while clicked, the report will flag it as a poor user experience.
Improving these metrics often involves optimizing images, reducing unused scripts, and ensuring responsive design. For instance, compressing large product images can improve LCP, while properly reserving space for ads or banners prevents layout shifts. Each adjustment directly contributes to better usability, which can translate to improved rankings.
Monitoring these reports regularly allows you to track progress as you implement fixes and compare performance across desktop and mobile. By making improvements guided by Core Web Vitals, your site not only aligns with Google’s standards but also creates a more reliable and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Using Search Analytics to Identify Keyword Opportunities
The Search Analytics data in Google Search Console provides a window into how users discover your website through search. By examining queries, clicks, impressions, and average positions, you can uncover valuable keyword opportunities. These insights help you focus your content strategy on terms that already drive visibility but may need optimization to convert more traffic.
One effective approach is to look for queries with high impressions but low click-through rates. For example, if your article on healthy recipes appears often in search results but has a CTR under 2 percent, updating the title tag and meta description can make it more appealing. This simple adjustment often turns missed impressions into meaningful traffic.
You can also identify keywords where your site ranks on the second page of search results. If a product guide ranks at position 11 or 12, adding more detail, improving internal links, or enhancing multimedia elements may help it climb into the top 10. Even a small position increase can result in a significant jump in organic traffic.
Using filters for country, device, or search type provides even deeper keyword insights. For instance, analyzing mobile search terms may reveal different opportunities compared to desktop queries. By regularly monitoring Search Analytics, you ensure that your content is continuously aligned with how users search and interact with your site.
Understanding Manual Actions and Security Issues
Manual actions in Google Search Console occur when a human reviewer at Google determines that a site has violated webmaster guidelines. These actions can result in lower rankings or complete removal of specific pages from search results. Common reasons include unnatural backlinks, thin content, or cloaking techniques.
Security issues are flagged when Google detects threats that may harm users, such as malware, hacked content, or deceptive pages. For example, if your site is injected with spammy links or phishing code, Search Console will alert you under the Security Issues report. These warnings are critical because they not only affect rankings but can also damage trust with visitors.
Addressing manual actions involves reviewing the flagged issue and taking corrective steps, such as removing bad backlinks or rewriting low-quality content. After making changes, you can request a reconsideration review through Search Console. Similarly, resolving security issues may require scanning your site for malicious code, restoring clean backups, or tightening server security.
By monitoring these sections regularly, you can ensure that your site maintains compliance with Google’s standards and remains safe for visitors. Quick responses to manual actions or security warnings help protect both your rankings and your reputation.
How to Submit Sitemaps and Monitor Their Status
Submitting a sitemap in Google Search Console helps Google understand the structure of your website and discover new or updated content more efficiently. A sitemap is an XML file that lists important pages, ensuring they are not overlooked during the crawling process. Even though Google can crawl sites without a sitemap, providing one improves indexing consistency.
To submit a sitemap, go to the “Sitemaps” section within Search Console and enter the URL of your sitemap, such as https://example.com/sitemap.xml. Once submitted, Google will begin processing it and provide feedback on whether the file was successfully read. If errors are reported, such as invalid URLs or formatting issues, you can fix them and resubmit the sitemap.
Monitoring the status of your sitemap is equally important. Search Console will show how many URLs were submitted and how many were indexed, helping you identify gaps between the two. For instance, if your sitemap lists 500 pages but only 300 are indexed, reviewing the Index Coverage Report may reveal crawling issues that need attention.
By keeping your sitemap updated and regularly checking its status, you ensure that Google is aware of the most relevant content on your site. This practice supports faster discovery of new pages and reinforces a strong foundation for long-term search visibility.
Tracking Inquiries and User Feedback in Search Console
Google Search Console provides insights into user inquiries by showing the exact search queries that bring visitors to your site. This data allows you to see not only how users are finding your content but also the language they use when searching. For example, if many users type “easy home workout” instead of “simple exercise routine,” you can adjust your content to match those phrases more closely.
User feedback is often reflected indirectly through performance metrics like click-through rate and impressions. A page that appears often in search results but receives few clicks suggests that users are not finding the title or description compelling enough. Updating meta tags, improving headlines, or aligning with the intent behind the query can help resolve this gap.
Search Console also reveals whether specific types of content, such as videos or FAQs, are resonating with audiences. For instance, if a tutorial video receives strong impressions but limited engagement, enhancing the thumbnail or adding structured data may improve visibility. Tracking these details helps you better meet user expectations and refine your strategy.
By consistently monitoring inquiries and interpreting feedback within Search Console, you gain a deeper understanding of your audience’s needs. This approach ensures your site remains relevant while adapting to changing search patterns and user behavior over time.
Integrating Search Console with Google Analytics
Integrating Google Search Console with Google Analytics allows you to combine search data with user behavior insights, creating a more complete picture of your website performance. By connecting the two platforms, you can track how visitors find your site in search and what they do once they arrive. This integration helps uncover opportunities to optimize both visibility and engagement.
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View search queries alongside on-site behavior metrics
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Compare landing page performance by search traffic
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Identify keywords that drive conversions instead of just clicks
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Analyze search impressions against bounce rates and session duration
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Spot gaps where pages get traffic but fail to engage users
This combined data makes it easier to see which keywords not only attract visitors but also deliver results. For example, a query that generates many clicks but shows high bounce rates may signal the need for better content alignment. Using both tools together ensures that your SEO strategy is grounded in both visibility and user satisfaction.
Final Thoughts and Ongoing Best Practices for Search Console
Staying consistent with Google Search Console usage is key to maintaining a healthy and visible website. Regular monitoring of reports ensures that indexing, performance, and usability issues are caught before they harm rankings. To make the most of the tool, it helps to follow a few best practices that reinforce long-term growth.
| Best Practice | Why It Matters | Example in Action |
|---|---|---|
| Review performance reports weekly | Keeps keyword and traffic insights up to date | Spotting a keyword trending upward before competitors do |
| Check Index Coverage regularly | Ensures important pages are not excluded | Fixing a “Crawled – not indexed” issue before it impacts traffic |
| Monitor Core Web Vitals | Improves user experience and rankings | Reducing layout shifts for smoother mobile browsing |
By adopting these habits, you create a routine that keeps your site aligned with Google’s standards and responsive to changes in user behavior. Search Console is not just a diagnostic tool but also a guide for continuous optimization. Using it proactively ensures that your website remains competitive and accessible in search results.