February 7, 2018

Google introduces new Search Console

Marketing & Content

A new Google Search Console.

Over the last few months, Google has been sending out invitations to their BETA version of the new Google Search Console to select users. If you are not among that BETA group, that's ok. They will be opening up the experience to all the users of the current Search Console over the next few weeks. Google is already starting to refer to the current version as the ‘classic Search Console' in their articles.

The new Search Console focuses on helping users fix problems in areas that Google has been pretty vocal about in recent years. Things like Search Index, Index Coverage, and AMP Improvements are features you will see. These are all topics Google has a hand in shaping. From Google:

“The new Search Console was rebuilt from the ground up by surfacing the most actionable insights and creating an interaction model which guides you through the process of fixing any pending issues.”

Google is not yet replacing the classic Search Console with the new one. These platforms will live side by side, with users using the navigation bar to toggle between the two. There will be more news on the lifespan of the classic tool once Google completes the transition of the existing tools into the new version.

What's so great about his new Search Console?

There are four new features in the initial release:

  1. Search Performance. Yes, you already have a version of this available, but the new version gives you up to 16 months of back-dated data. Search Analytics is likely the biggest area of requests for data improvement by users. The new Search Performance Report is likely to wow SEO marketers.
    Google Search Console offers up to 16 months of backdated data.
    Image from Google Blog

     

  2. Index Coverage. This feature is another you may feel like you have already seen. Google has managed to enhance the performance here with Index Coverage Reporting. You'll see a much faster turn around time on reporting issues to users. You also get tools to help you diagnose problems, fix them, and validate that they were fixed correctly. This is definitely a ‘deep dive' version of the current indexing tool.
    Google Index Coverage offers deeper insights.
    Image from Google Blog

     

  3. AMP Status. Google is a big proponent of accelerated mobile pages (AMPs). They're backing up their support of the format with a tool that helps analyze the performance of these pages. You get the depth of the new Index Coverage reports but for AMP. Complete with Validation tools to test fixes.
  4. Job Postings. Last summer Google launched a Jobs search engine. It aggregates listings from job boards and careers sites and displays them prominently in Google Search. The Job Listings Report provides details on the specific errors and warnings that Google identifies in your listings. If you're interested in getting your jobs listed you can find some help on this link.

Final Notes.

The mobile experience on the new Search Console pages is a ‘work in progress'. Through the BETA Google has shown enthusiasm for feature requests and is moving forward with this larger release encouraging feedback. They've even included a feedback feature in the new Search Console sidebar.

We're excited to see these new features and tools. As a company that is always trying to find a deeper understanding of digital ROI, we value the data insights Google is rolling out in the new Search Console. It's a great diagnostic resource for your site health.

The bigger picture of what this will do for SEO and Marketing is also exciting. Marketers will get better insights into trends, issues, and users than ever before.

Share your feedback with us on your experience with the new Google Search Console.