Google Search Console steps in — your behind-the-scenes magic mirror that shows you what’s really going on with your blog in Google search. And the best part? It’s totally free.
But let’s be real: when you first open it up, it can feel like stepping into a spaceship. Graphs, terms, and charts everywhere. Don’t stress. I’m going to walk you through it, step by step — no jargon, no fluff, just the good stuff. 🙌
☝️ First Things First: What Even Is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (or GSC, what the cool kids call it) is a free tool from Google that helps you monitor your website, it shows how it appears in search results.
Think of it like your blog’s report card — it tells you what pages are showing up, what keywords people are typing to find you, and how often they actually click.
But don’t worry, it’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about spotting what’s already working… and making it even better.
📦 Step 1: Getting Google Search Console Set Up
If you haven’t set it up yet, don’t skip this part.
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Head over to Google Search Console.
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Click “Start now” and log in using your Google account.
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Add your blog by entering your domain.
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Follow the instructions on how to verify ownership of the website. Usually, this means adding a small code to your site — if you are using WordPress, there are plugins like Google Site Kit, Rank Math or Yoast SEO that make it super easy.
Boom. You’re in.
🔑 Step 2: What You’ll See (and What Actually Matters)
Let’s be honest, some of the tabs in GSC can feel like overkill. You don’t need to click on everything. Here’s what to focus on:
➤ Performance Tab (This is where the gold lives)
This is the tab where the keyword magic happens.
You’ll see four important stats:
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Total Clicks: How many times someone clicked on your blog from search.
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Total Impressions: How many times your blog appeared in the search results.
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Average CTR (Click-Through Rate): The percentage of people who actually clicked when they saw your blog.
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Average Position: The average ranking spot of your blog posts in Google (lower numbers are better).
Scroll down and you’ll see the actual keywords people are typing into Google that are leading them to your site.
Yes. Real, live search terms.
👀 Step 3: Find the Keywords You’re Already Ranking For
Here’s the thing. Most bloggers assume they need to chase new keywords constantly. But that’s a rookie mistake.
GSC shows you the keywords you’re already showing up for — sometimes in position #8, #12, or even #30. That’s actually a huge opportunity.
Let’s say you’re in position #14 for the term “easy homemade granola bars.” That means you’re probably on the second page of Google. Not bad! With a little effort, you could bump that up to the first page and suddenly get way more traffic. 🚀
🛠 Step 4: Optimizing for Those Mid-Range Keywords
Alright, now here’s where you can take action.
Let’s say you notice a keyword like “blogging tools for beginners” is showing up in GSC. You’re in position #17 and getting some impressions, but hardly any clicks.
Here’s what to do:
✏️ 1. Update the blog post that ranks for that keyword
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Add the keyword naturally in your subheadings.
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Expand on the topic — give more details or add a new tip.
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Add the keyword to your image alt text or meta description (if you use a plugin like Yoast, this is easy).
🔗 2. Link to that post from your newer articles
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Internal linking helps Google understand that the post is important.
🧠 3. Refresh your headline and meta description
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Make it more click-worthy. Remember, the goal is to get people to click when they see it in search.
📈 Step 5: Keep an Eye on Changes Over Time
GSC isn’t something you use once and forget. It’s like watering a plant — keep checking back every couple of weeks.
Watch for:
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New keywords popping up
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Shifts in your average position
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Click-through rates improving (or not)
If you see a sudden spike in impressions for a term, that’s your cue to optimize around it fast.
🧠 Pro Tip: Look for “Almost There” Keywords
Here’s a fun little hack:
In the Performance tab, filter the position to show keywords between positions 8 and 20. These are your “almost there” keywords — you’re ranking but not quite top-of-page.
Focus on improving those first.
They’re the low-hanging fruit that can bring in traffic fast if you give them a bit of attention.
🤷♀️ But… What If You Don’t See Any Keywords?
If you’ve just launched your blog or haven’t published much yet, your GSC might be a ghost town at first. That’s totally normal.
Keep publishing quality content, interlink your posts, and share them on social platforms. Google will start picking them up over time.
Remember: SEO is a slow burn. But once it kicks in, it keeps working for you — even when you’re sleeping.
🎉 Final Thoughts: GSC Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
The truth is, Google Search Console might look intimidating, but it’s actually one of the most useful (and underused) tools for bloggers.
You don’t need to be an expert.
Just check your Performance tab, find the keywords you’re ranking for, and give those posts a little TLC.
In time, you’ll start to see better rankings, more clicks, and a nice boost in traffic — all without having to guess what people are searching for.
Quick Recap 📝
✅ Set up Google Search Console (if you haven’t already)
🔍 Check the Performance tab for keyword data
🎯 Focus on keywords ranking in spots 8–20
✍️ Update your blog posts with better content and keyword placement
🔁 Recheck your results regularly
And that is it! You’re not just blogging — you’re blogging smart now.