What is Google Webmaster Tool?
Google Webmaster Tool, also known as Google Search Console, is a free service offered by Google. Its goal is to help website owners, SEO professionals, and developers monitor and maintain their site’s presence in Google Search results. With this tool, you get to see your website as Google sees it, allowing you to make necessary changes to improve search visibility.
The tool doesn’t require sign-up or download, and any page indexed by Google is supported. It is excellent for all types of users; whether you’re a business owner, an app developer, or a digital marketing specialist, you will find it quite useful.
The Core Functionality of Google Webmaster Tool
There are many features provided by the Google Webmaster Tool. While some essential functions can be learned with ease, others might be more complex and require some time to fully understand.
Here’s a rundown of some of the tool’s key features:
– Verify your website: The first thing to do when you sign up for the Google Webmaster tool is to verify your site. As the name implies, this helps Google recognize you as the official owner or manager of the website. The verification can be done using several methods: HTML file upload, domain name provider, HTML tag etc.
– Index Coverage report: This new index coverage report is a significant upgrade, showing accurately how many pages are indexed in Google. It provides details such as how many pages are indexed, issues if any, and how to fix them.
– Performance report: This report shows you how your site performs in Google Search results. It offers valuable data such as the total clicks, impressions, the average click-through rate (CTR), and position.
– URL inspection: With this feature, users can see why pages aren’t indexed by Google and know how to enhance the indexation.
– Mobile Usability report: This report shows how well your pages are doing on mobile devices. It’s vital to ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as it’s a crucial ranking factor for Google.
Applications of Google Webmaster Tool in SEO
Google Webmaster Tool is a significant aid in SEO because it provides detailed insights into how Google and its users view websites. It gives the necessary data to guide in optimizing a website for search.
Track keywords: Google Webmaster Tool offers data on keywords and their performance on your website. The Performance report will show you the keywords for which your site ranks, clicks, impressions, etc. This will help you improve your keyword strategy for SEO.
Identify and fix crawl errors: With Google Webmaster Tool, you can monitor and fix any crawl errors that occur on your site. Website crawlers are what search engines use to find and index content. If there’s an issue, it could make certain parts of your website invisible to search engines.
Check for website penalties: Google has specific guidelines and regulations for websites. If your website violates any of these, Google might place a penalty on your site, and it can negatively impact your ranking. Google Webmaster Tool allows you to check your site for any penalties and work towards rectifying the problem.
In conclusion, understanding Google Webmaster Tool is crucial to managing and optimizing a website for search engines. It provides you with the necessary data and insights into your website’s operations, right from the eyes of the search engine giant – Google. Whether you are new to website management or already have been in the field for a while, Google Webmaster Tool is a worthwhile addition to your digital toolbelt.