# What is Google Search Console?

> Google Search Console is Google's free tool showing how your website performs in search: which searches you appear for, clicks, and any problems Google has found.

- Source: https://nerdsharks.com/glossary/google-search-console
- Publisher: Nerdsharks (Exeter, Devon, UK)
- Updated: 2026-09-26

Also called: GSC, Search Console, Google Webmaster Tools.

Search Console is a free dashboard from Google for website owners. Once you prove you own the site, it shows which search phrases your pages appear for, how often they are shown, how often they are clicked and your average position.

It also reports problems: pages Google could not index, mobile usability issues, Core Web Vitals, security issues and any manual penalties. You can submit your sitemap there and ask Google to recheck a page after you fix it.

It is different from Google Analytics. Search Console tells you what happens in Google before someone clicks; Analytics tells you what they do on your site afterwards.

## Why it matters for a small business

It is the only place you get Google's own data about your site, for free. If an agency or SEO provider cannot give you access to it, or will not show you what it says, treat their reports with caution. It is your site; you should own the account.

**Example:** A roofer checks Search Console and finds they appear for ‘flat roof repair’ searches but get almost no clicks, so they write a proper flat roofing page with a clearer title.