Glossary · Metrics
Google Search Console
Definition. Google Search Console is Google's free tool showing how your site performs in Search: queries, impressions, clicks, average position, indexation status and technical issues. It is the only source of first-party Google search data, and it is free.
No paid tool can replace it, because third-party rank trackers estimate positions while Search Console reports what Google actually recorded.
The two highest-value reports are Performance, for the queries you already appear for, and Page Indexing, for the reasons pages are excluded.
The 16-month data limit is the main constraint. Export regularly if you care about year-over-year comparisons.
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Related terms
Impressions
An impression is recorded each time your page appears in search results for a query, whether or not…
Click-through rate (CTR)
Click-through rate is the percentage of impressions that result in a click. In organic search it varies…
Indexation
Indexation is whether a search engine has stored your page and made it eligible to appear in results. A…
More in Metrics: Click-through rate (CTR) · Impressions · Rank tracking
Frequently asked questions
What does Google Search Console mean?
Google Search Console is Google's free tool showing how your site performs in Search: queries, impressions, clicks, average position, indexation status and technical issues. It is the only source of first-party Google search data, and it is free.
Why does Google Search Console matter for AI SEO?
No paid tool can replace it, because third-party rank trackers estimate positions while Search Console reports what Google actually recorded.
What is the most common mistake with google search console?
The 16-month data limit is the main constraint. Export regularly if you care about year-over-year comparisons.
Last verified 2 August 2026. Prices, plans and features on this page were read on each vendor's own site on that date. Vendors change pricing often, so confirm before you buy. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
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