How to use Google Search Console(GSC) for keyword research without SEO consultant

Learn how to use Google Search Console for keyword research to boost your SEO strategy. Discover tips for analyzing data, tracking keyword performance, and leveraging advanced tools like Google Sheets. Plus, find out how AI-powered solutions like inpages can streamline your SEO efforts.

Han Jang

Aug 12, 2024

How to use Google Search Console(GSC) for keyword research without SEO consultant

Contents

1. Analyzing Your Search Console Data Step 1: Access Your Data Step 2: Set the Date Range Step 3: Select Metrics Step 4: Export Your Data 2. How to Easily View Data Within GSC Find the keyword with the biggest drop in traffic Spotting Keywords with a Drop in CTR Analyzing Keyword Performance in Search Console 3. How to Get a More Detailed View in Google Sheets 4. Analyzing Search Volume, CPC, Trends, and Competitor Comparisons

Do you rely on Ahrefs, Semrush, or Keywordtool.io for your SEO efforts?

While these tools are incredibly powerful, they come with three significant challenges:

Steep Learning Curve: For first-time users unfamiliar with SEO, mastering these tools can be time-consuming and complex.

Information Overload: These platforms provide an overwhelming amount of data without clear guidance on prioritizing actions.

Actionable Insights: Even with the right data, determining the best steps to improve your SEO can be difficult.

That's why many businesses opt to hire an SEO manager or consultant, either in-house or through platforms like Fiverr. However, there's a tool you might already have access to that can simplify your keyword research—Google Search Console.

In this guide, we'll show you how to use Google Search Console for keyword research, helping you leverage its powerful features to enhance your SEO strategy effectively.

1. Analyzing Your Search Console Data

Google Search Console is a powerful, free tool that provides valuable insights into your website’s performance. You can access data on impressions, clicks, click-through rates (CTR), positions, and much more. Let's explore how to use this data to optimize your SEO strategy.

Step 1: Access Your Data

Begin by logging into Google Search Console. Once inside, click on the Date filter at the top of the dashboard.

Step 2: Set the Date Range

Select the option to “compare last 3 months to the previous period”. This comparison will give you a clear view of how your site's performance is trending over time.

Step 3: Select Metrics

Next, enable the CTR and Position metrics by clicking on their respective checkboxes. This will allow you to see the data you need for a deeper analysis.

Step 4: Export Your Data

Finally, export the data to Google Sheets by clicking the Export button in the top right corner. This will allow you to manipulate and analyze the data more effectively, making it easier to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

2. How to Easily View Data Within GSC

Even if you choose not to export your data to Google Sheets, you can still gain valuable insights directly within Google Search Console. By simply scrolling down, you can view detailed data for all your queries.

Find the keyword with the biggest drop in traffic

To uncover which keywords are driving the most traffic, follow these steps:

Use the Filters on the right side of the dashboard. Set the filter to show clicks from the last 3 months compared to the previous 3 months. For a meaningful analysis, you might want to focus on keywords with at least 3 clicks in both periods, though you can adjust this threshold based on your needs.

For example, in the highlighted case below, a keyword has experienced a significant 17% drop in traffic over the past 3 months. Interestingly, while traffic decreased, the CTR and positions have improved. This could indicate an issue with the content, or it might suggest that the overall search volume for that keyword has declined.

Find the keyword with the biggest drop in traffic

Spotting Keywords with a Drop in CTR

To identify keywords with declining CTR, adjust your filter settings:

Set the filter to show clicks from the last 3 months compared to the previous 3 months, focusing on keywords with at least 9 clicks in both periods.

This will help you pinpoint keywords that have experienced a significant drop in CTR without a corresponding change in ranking. These keywords should be prioritized for review and optimization.

Analyzing Keyword Performance in Search Console

Beyond basic traffic metrics, Google Search Console also allows you to dive deeper into keyword performance. You can easily identify:

Keywords with the Largest Drops: By comparing data over different periods, you can quickly spot which keywords have experienced the most significant declines in traffic or rankings. These keywords may need immediate attention to regain their previous performance.

Keywords with the Best CTR: Use the data to identify which keywords are performing exceptionally well in terms of click-through rate (CTR). These high-performing keywords can offer insights into what resonates most with your audience, guiding your content strategy.

By regularly monitoring these metrics, you can stay on top of your SEO efforts, ensuring that you capitalize on opportunities and address issues promptly.

3. How to Get a More Detailed View in Google Sheets

For those looking to dive deeper into their data, exporting Google Search Console data into Google Sheets offers a powerful solution. Google Sheets provides advanced filtering options that allow you to slice and dice the data in ways that are most relevant to your business. By applying these filters, you can uncover more nuanced insights and trends that might not be immediately apparent in the Search Console interface.

If you’re interested in learning how to maximize these tools for your SEO efforts, be sure to subscribe to our blog for expert tips and tutorials.

4. Analyzing Search Volume, CPC, Trends, and Competitor Comparisons

To take your keyword research a step further, you can combine GSC data with insights on search volume, cost-per-click (CPC), trends, and competitive comparisons. While tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and others provide this data, they often fall short of offering actionable steps.

This is where inpages comes in. Acting as your AI-powered SEO consultant, inpages integrates GSC data with other keyword metrics to deliver a tailored action plan for your business. With inpages, you no longer need to hire an SEO manager or consultant—simply subscribe to inpages and discover exactly what you need to do next to enhance your SEO strategy.