Starting a website can feel like wandering into a huge, unexplored wilderness — the internet. You create a site to share information and connect with people, but how will they find you amongst the billions of pages out there? Getting noticed can seem confusing and mysterious at first. Not to worry! Just like having a guide before hiking new trails, Google Search Console offers the tools to point your website in the right direction. With patience and some practical tips, you can learn how to boost your site visibility.
Think of this as an adventure in better understanding search engines like Google and what makes websites easier to find. By thoughtfully applying some of the knowledge that Search Console provides, you can make your site stand out so it will shine brighter for more people searching the digital landscape. This guide aims to shed some light on some of the GSC terms and statuses, so you feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Ready for a journey of online discovery? Let’s explore!
Index Coverage in Google Search Console
Index coverage refers to the status of your site’s pages in the Google Search index. The index is a vast database of websites that Google has crawled and stored for search results. If a page is indexed, it means that Google has found it and can display it in search results.
There are several different index coverage statuses, each with its own meaning:
Valid
This is the best status for a page. It means that Google has successfully crawled and indexed the page, and it is eligible to appear in search results.
Error
This status means that Google encountered an error when trying to crawl or index the page. This could be due to a number of factors, such as a 404 error, a redirect error, or a robots.txt file that is blocking Google from crawling the page.
Excluded
This status means that Google has intentionally excluded the page from the index. This could be because the page is low-quality, or because it contains duplicate content.
You can use the Index Coverage report in Google Search Console to see the status of your site’s pages in the index.
Crawl Errors in Google Search Console
Crawl errors are problems that Google encounters when trying to crawl your site. These errors can prevent Google from indexing your site’s pages and can therefore have a negative impact on your site’s visibility in search results.
There are several different types of crawl errors, each with its own meaning:
404 (Not Found) Errors
These errors occur when Google tries to crawl a page that does not exist on your site.
Redirect Errors
These errors occur when Google tries to follow a redirect, but the redirect is not set up correctly.
Server Errors
These errors occur when Google tries to crawl a page, but your server is unable to respond.
Other Errors
These errors are a catch-all category for any other type of error that Google encounters when trying to crawl your site.
You can use the Crawl Errors report in Google Search Console to see the crawl errors that Google has encountered on your site.
Manual Actions in Google Search Console
Manual actions are penalties that Google can take against your site if it violates Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. These penalties can have a significant negative impact on your site’s visibility in search results.
There are several different types of manual actions, each with its own meaning:
Spam
This action is taken against sites that are trying to game Google’s search results with spammy tactics, such as keyword stuffing or link schemes.
Misleading Content
This action is taken against sites that have content that is misleading or deceptive, such as fake news or phishing pages.
Unnatural Links
This action is taken against sites that have unnatural backlinks, such as those that are paid for or that are from low-quality sites.
You can use the Manual Actions report in Google Search Console to see if your site has been flagged for any manual actions.
Mobile Usability Issues in Google Search Console
Mobile usability issues are problems that can make it difficult for users to access your site on mobile devices. These issues can have a negative impact on your site’s visibility in search results, as Google increasingly prioritizes mobile-friendly sites.
There are several different types of mobile usability issues, each with its own meaning:
Text too small to read
This issue means that the text on your site is too small for users to read easily on mobile devices.
Clickable elements too close together
This issue means that clickable elements on your site are too close together, making it difficult for users to tap on the correct element.
Content is not scaled correctly
This issue means that the content on your site is not scaled correctly for mobile devices, resulting in a poor user experience.
You can use the Mobile Usability report in Google Search Console to see if your site has any mobile usability issues.
Security Issues in Google Search Console
Security issues are problems that can make your site vulnerable to attack. These issues can have a negative impact on your site’s reputation and security and can also lead to Google blacklisting your site.
There are several different types of security issues, each with its own meaning:
Malware
Malware is software that is designed to harm your site or its visitors.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to trick users into revealing their personal information.
Unpatched software
Unpatched software can contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.
You can use tools like Google Search Console Security Issues report and Google Search Console Security Issues helper to identify and fix security issues on your site.