> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/connections/google-search-console.md).

# Google Search Console

GSC powers SMAQ's SEO monitoring and search opportunity surfacing.

### What SMAQ pulls

* Impressions, clicks, average position, CTR
* Queries (search terms)
* Pages
* Devices and countries
* Search appearance types (rich results, AMP, etc.)

### What you'll need

* A Google account with **Verified** or **Owner** access on the GSC property.
* For domain properties: you must own the domain in GSC.

### Steps to connect

1. **Data Source → Add data source**.
2. Pick **Google Search Console**.
3. Authorize SMAQ via OAuth.
4. Pick the property from the dropdown (URL-prefix or domain property).
5. Name and click **Connect**.

> **\[Screen video needed]** GSC OAuth flow with property picker. \~45 seconds.

### Automations powered by GSC

* [SEO Performance Monitor](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#seo-performance-monitor) — alerts on ranking drops, impression changes, click-through anomalies.
* [Keyword Exploration](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#keyword-exploration) — combines GSC queries with Google Ads keyword data.

### Tips

* **GSC has a 2-day data lag.** Yesterday's data won't be complete until tomorrow.
* **Query data is sampled.** GSC anonymizes low-volume queries — you'll see this as "missing" or "anonymized" entries.
* **Use Domain properties when possible** — they include both http/https and www/non-www variants. URL-prefix properties are siloed.

### Troubleshooting

* **"No properties found"** — your Google account isn't verified on any GSC property. Add yourself in GSC → Settings → Users and permissions.
* **Position values look strange** — GSC averages position across all queries the page appeared for. A single page can have wildly different positions per query.

### Related

* [SEO Performance Monitor](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#seo-performance-monitor)