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5 Secret Google Search Console Features You Probably Didn't Know About
April 14, 2025 #AI

5 Secret Google Search Console Features You Probably Didn't Know About

When most digital marketers open Google Search Console (GSC), they head straight to the 'Performance' tab to check their clicks, impressions, and average rankings. It's a classic move. But here's the thing: if that's all you're using GSC for, you're missing out on a treasure trove of insights that can transform your SEO game.

Google has quietly evolved GSC into a powerful diagnostic and strategic tool that goes far beyond surface-level metrics. Underneath its minimalist interface lie features that can reveal why pages aren't being indexed, how Googlebot behaves on your site, what's working in Discover, and why rankings suddenly tanked.

Let's unpack five hidden GSC features that every SEO pro should be tapping into-complete with actionable steps and pro tips.

1. URL Inspection API - Find Hidden Indexing Issues in Bulk

Ever felt like your site has a bunch of 'invisible' pages that just don't show up on Google - despite being technically sound? You're not alone. GSC's URL Inspection tool is great, but manually checking URLs one by one is slow and inefficient. That's where the URL Inspection API steps in.

This API lets you audit indexing statuses at scale, helping you uncover broad issues like rendering problems, canonical misfires, or pages stuck in 'Crawled - Not Indexed' limbo.

How to Use It

  • 1. Enable the API
    Head over to the Google Cloud Console, enable the Search Console API, and generate your credentials.
  • 2. Set Up Your Script or Use a Tool
    Use Python scripts (many open-source options are available) or SEO tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider (integrated with the API) to run bulk inspections.
  • 3. Extract Indexing Issues
    The API reveals rich details like:
    • o Crawled - Not Indexed
    • o Duplicate without user-selected canonical
    • o Discovered - currently not indexed
    • o Blocked by robots.txt
  • 4. Visualize Patterns in Looker Studio
    Pull the API data into Google Looker Studio to create visual dashboards that show indexing trends over time.
  • 5. Fix Issues in Batches
    Identify patterns (e.g., all blog pages using the same bloated template) and fix in bulk-optimize canonicals, remove render-blocking scripts, or tweak internal linking.

Use the URL Inspection API to track how quickly new content gets indexed. If your new blog posts aren't showing up within 24-48 hours, it could be a crawl budget or site quality signal.

2. Crawl Stats Report - Optimize Crawl Budget Like a Pro

The Crawl Stats Report doesn't get nearly enough love. But, with larger sites and dynamic pages growing in volume, understanding how Googlebot crawls your site is non-negotiable. This report tells you whether Google is spending its time efficiently-or wasting it on redirect chains, outdated URLs, or thin pages.

How to Use It

  • 1. Access the Report
    Go to Settings - Crawl Stats in GSC.
  • 2. Review Crawl Volume & Trends
    Look for spikes or dips in crawl activity, especially after site migrations, CMS changes, or major content updates.
  • 3. Identify Crawl Waste
    Do you see a high volume of requests to:
    • o Redirected pages
    • o 404s
    • o Non-canonical URLs That's crawl waste. Fix it by cleaning internal links and updating sitemaps.
  • 4. Cross-Check with Server Logs
    Combine GSC data with your raw server logs to get a full picture of crawl behavior, down to the second.
  • 5. Optimize Crawl Efficiency
    Use robots.txt, canonical tags, and noindex directives smartly. Also, ensure your internal linking structure prioritizes high-value pages.

If Google stops crawling certain sections of your site entirely, that's a red flag. It often means Google has deprioritized that section due to poor content quality or engagement signals.

3. Discover Report - Unlock New Traffic Sources

Not all traffic comes through search queries anymore. The Discover Report in GSC tracks how your content performs in Google Discover-a personalized feed on Android devices and Chrome mobile that can drive huge traffic spikes.

And here's the kicker: Discover traffic isn't dependent on keywords. It's based on relevance, freshness, and engagement.

How to Use It

  • 1. Go to Performance - Discover
    If your site has qualified for Discover (typically through authority + freshness), you'll see data on impressions, clicks, and CTR.
  • 2. Spot High-Performing Content
    Look for blog posts, listicles, or opinion pieces that get unusually high CTRs.
  • 3. Analyze Patterns
    Does your content spike after Google algorithm updates? Do visuals seem to drive more engagement?
  • 4. Optimize for Discover
    • o Use high-resolution images (ideally 1200px wide).
    • o Enhance metadata and E-E-A-T signals.
    • o Publish timely, trend-driven content that resonates with current events.
  • 5. Experiment with Short-Form Pages
    Google increasingly surfaces concise, visual-first content in Discover. Test out short-form explainers or news commentary.

A high CTR in Discover often correlates with strong engagement metrics like time on page and scroll depth. These signals can indirectly influence your organic search visibility too.

4. Page Experience & INP Metrics - Fix Silent Ranking Drops

If your site suddenly dropped in rankings without any clear cause, here's a likely culprit: Interaction to Next Paint (INP). INP replaced First Input Delay (FID) as the key user interaction metric in Google's Core Web Vitals-and it's catching many SEOs off guard. Poor INP scores can silently drag down your rankings without triggering any manual action notices.

How to Use It

  • 1. Navigate to Experience - Page Experience
    GSC now includes INP data as part of its Core Web Vitals report.
  • 2. Check INP Scores
    A score above 200ms is flagged as poor. Prioritize these pages immediately.
  • 3. Debug with Chrome DevTools
    Use the Performance panel in DevTools to identify:
    • o Long event listeners
    • o Slow scripts
    • o Inefficient JavaScript
  • 4. Reduce JavaScript Bloat
    • o Minimize third-party scripts
    • o Use requestIdleCallback for non-critical tasks
    • o Lazy-load elements below the fold
  • 5. Track Improvements in CrUX
    GSC pulls data from Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX), so improvements here directly reflect user devices.

A good INP score isn't just about speed-it's about responsiveness. Make sure user interactions like clicks, scrolls, and taps feel instant and fluid.

5. News & Video Performance Reports - Hidden SERP Opportunities

With SERPs becoming more visual and dynamic, video and news content now take up more space than ever. If your brand produces video or article-style content, the News & Video Performance Reports in GSC are invaluable. These reports show how your content appears in Google News, Top Stories, and Google Video Search-even if it doesn't rank in regular organic listings.

How to Use It

  • 1. Access the Report
    Go to Performance - News or Performance - Video.
  • 2. Analyze Impressions vs. Clicks
    If you see high impressions but low CTR, it's a signal to improve thumbnails, titles, or structured data.
  • 3. Review Keywords & Topics
    Identify what types of content (topics, formats) Google elevates in News or Video SERPs.
  • 4. Enhance Structured Data
    Use:
    • o Video Object markup for video SEO
    • o Article or NewsArticle markup for editorial pieces Make sure your sitemap includes rich metadata.
  • 5. Expand Distribution
    Embed YouTube videos on your site and submit your blog to Google News Publisher Center for broader reach.

Google favors entity-rich, context-aware content in these verticals. Use topic clustering, schema markup, and entity linking (e.g., linking to Wikidata or structured entities) to stand out.

Google Search Console has evolved far beyond tracking clicks and impressions. Today, it's an essential tool for diagnosing technical issues, uncovering hidden traffic sources, and optimizing user experience. Features like the URL Inspection API, Crawl Stats Report, and Discover Report offer deep insights into how Googlebot interacts with your site and where opportunities lie.

By leveraging these advanced features, you can identify and fix indexing issues, track performance trends, and improve your site's crawl efficiency-all while staying ahead of competitors. With GSC, SEO is no longer a matter of inserting keywords; it's about comprehensively analyzing and evaluating the functionality of the site's performance together with user engagement. Take your SEO approach a notch higher by using GSC's data that go beyond the conventional and advance your achievement.