Search Console is a free Google tool that shows how your website appears in search results. Bing Webmaster Tools does the same for Bing.
Why it matters
Without these tools, you do not know whether Google knows your pages, or which searches your customers find you on. With them, you see what works, what is blocked and what to improve.
The statistics of your Google profile (calls, directions) are elsewhere: in the profile itself, under “Performance”.
The words to know
- Indexing
- When Google has stored a page in its index. A page that is not indexed cannot appear in the results.
- Sitemap
- A file listing your pages to help search engines find them.
- Impressions
- The number of times your website appeared in the results.
- Clicks and CTR
- The clicks to your website, and the click-through rate: clicks divided by impressions.
- Average position
- Your average rank in the results for a given search.
- IndexNow
- A way, used by Bing among others, to report a new or updated page immediately.
What you can do yourself
- Verify ownership of your website in Search Console
- Submit the sitemap
- Look at the “Performance” report once a month: which searches, how many clicks
- Check pages that are not indexed, and understand why
- Also add your website to Bing Webmaster Tools (it can import data from Search Console)
- Panicking over a one-week drop: look at trends over several months
- Handing over these accesses without being able to take them back: they must stay in your name
Your website is submitted to Google and Bing as soon as it goes live. With tracking, we set up the tools and send you a clear report every quarter.
Frequently asked questions
Is it paid?
No, both tools are free.
My website does not appear on Google at all: why?
Often because it is new or not yet indexed. Search Console lets you check page by page, with the URL inspection tool, and request indexing.
Should I check every day?
No. A look once a month is enough for a tradesperson, and a quarterly report to decide on improvements.