#mobile usability

Google Search Console isn’t just some “SEO tool” you open once a month and forget. It’s more like that quiet assistant in the background who notices all the little things going wrong (and right) with your website. The problem is… most folks barely scratch the surface with it. They check a number or two, maybe click around, then close the tab. And that’s it.

If you actually dig in, this thing can tell you why your site’s traffic feels sluggish, why your best pages aren’t showing up higher, and even why your mobile visitors bounce faster than a rubber ball. So, let’s talk about how to use it without drowning in jargon or charts.

1. Check the Search Performance, But Read Between the Lines

Most people just look at “Total Clicks” and think they’ve done the job. Nope. That’s just the headline. Scroll down. Look at the queries that bring you traffic. You might notice some random phrases you never even targeted. That’s a hint — maybe people see your page for something you didn’t expect. You can lean into that.

Oh, and don’t obsess over daily ups and downs. Google’s mood swings are real. Check trends over weeks, not hours.

2. Mobile Usability Is a Silent Killer

If Search Console says you have mobile issues, don’t shrug it off. Half the time, your desktop site looks amazing… and your mobile site feels like 2005. Pinch-zooming? Buttons too close together? Yeah, Google notices. And it’s not shy about ranking you lower if mobile visitors struggle.

The best part? GSC tells you exactly which pages have issues. Fix those first before worrying about fancy SEO hacks.

3. Pages Dropping Out of the Index? Don’t Panic

There’s a tab for “Coverage” — that’s where you see if some pages fell out of Google’s index. Sometimes it’s fine (like old content you don’t need). Other times, it’s a red flag. If a good page drops, check for technical errors. It might be as silly as a broken link or a noindex tag you forgot about.

4. Use URL Inspection Like a Detective

Ever post something and feel like Google’s ignoring it? Paste the URL into the inspection tool. It’ll tell you if Google even knows your page exists, and if not, you can request indexing right there. Think of it as knocking on Google’s door saying, “Hey, come check this out.”

5. Don’t Just Collect Data — Act on It

Too many site owners treat GSC like a scoreboard instead of a guide. If your CTR is low, maybe your title tag is boring. If your average position is close to page one, push a little harder with better content or backlinks. Numbers are just clues — the real work is what you do after reading them.

Bottom line 

If you own a website, Google Search Console (GSC) is like your secret spy tool. It tells you exactly how Google sees your site, where you’re doing well, and where you’re messing up. The problem is, most people open it once, glance at a couple of numbers, and close it. That’s not how you make the most out of it.

Let’s go step by step, without drowning in tech talk.

Step 1: Set It Up Properly

First thing, verify your website. Sounds boring, but without it, you can’t see anything. Always go for the domain property option — it covers your whole site, not just the www or non-www version. This way, you avoid getting incomplete data.

Step 2: Check Your Search Performance

Once inside, head to the Performance tab. This shows clicks, impressions, average position, and CTR. Don’t just look at the total clicks. Compare the last three months with the three months before. If clicks are dropping, you know something’s off. If impressions are growing but clicks are not, maybe your titles aren’t interesting enough.

Step 3: Use the URL Inspection Tool

Got a page that’s not showing up on Google? Drop its link in the URL inspection bar. This tool tells you whether Google has indexed it, or if there’s an error. If it’s missing, click “Request Indexing” to speed things up.

Step 4: Fix Mobile Usability Issues

Check the Mobile Usability report. If you see errors like “text too small to read” or “clickable elements too close,” fix them quickly. Google is serious about mobile-first indexing — if your site is a pain to use on a phone, your rankings can drop.

Step 5: Watch for Coverage Issues

The Coverage section is where you spot indexing problems. If some pages are marked “Excluded,” figure out why. Sometimes it’s fine (like thank-you pages), but sometimes Google’s skipping important stuff.

Final Thought