Google Search Console
Google’s free tool for monitoring how a site appears in Google Search, with performance, indexing and Core Web Vitals reports and a new generative AI performance report.
- Free plan
- Free or open source
- Cloud
- AI features
- Vendor sources
- Verified 13 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 3 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Vendor and independent sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a free service from Google that shows how a website performs in Google Search, including clicks, impressions, average position and queries, page indexing status, Core Web Vitals and security issues, and from 2026 impressions in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- Best forEvery site owner who wants Google traffic data
- Team size fitSolo and freelancers, Small teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises
- PricingFree.
- Main limitationNo competitor data.
- AlternativesSemrush, Ahrefs, Google Analytics 4, Screaming Frog SEO Spider · compare all
Google Search Console overview: who it is for and what it does.
Search Console is the only source of first-party Google Search data for your own site. The Performance report shows clicks, impressions, click-through rate and average position by query, page, country and device for up to 16 months.
Other reports cover page indexing, URL inspection, sitemaps, Core Web Vitals, HTTPS, links, manual actions and security issues. Google’s help centre says the Generative AI performance report, showing impressions in AI Overviews and AI Mode, rolled out to all websites worldwide by 31 August 2026. An experimental AI-assisted configuration for the Performance report appeared in December 2025.
It is free with a Google account. It shows nothing about competitors, the interface exports up to 1,000 rows, and larger datasets need the API or bulk export to BigQuery.
Main problem it solves
Shows site owners how Google crawls, indexes and ranks their pages, and what searches bring visitors.
Typical customer segment
Every website owner, SEO professional and developer that cares about Google traffic.
Target users
- SEO specialists
- Developers fixing indexing and Core Web Vitals
- Marketers and site owners
Primary use cases
- Query and page performance analysis
- Indexing diagnostics
- Sitemap submission
- Core Web Vitals monitoring
- Tracking AI Overviews impressions
What makes it distinct
- First-party Google Search data, free.
- Generative AI performance report for AI Overviews and AI Mode.
- URL Inspection shows Google’s view of a page.
Google Search Console features explained.
Performance
- Search performance
- Clicks, impressions, CTR and position for 16 months.
- Generative AI performance
- AI Overviews and AI Mode impressions (rolled out to all sites by Aug 2026).
- Discover and News
- Separate performance reports where eligible.
Indexing
- Page indexing
- Why pages are or are not indexed.
- URL Inspection
- Live test and indexing request.
- Sitemaps
- Submit and monitor sitemaps.
Experience and security
- Core Web Vitals
- Field data by URL group.
- Manual actions and security issues
- Alerts for penalties and hacks.
- Links
- Top linking sites and internal links.
Google Search Console pricing and plans.
Prices taken from the vendor’s own pricing page. Checked 13 Nov 2026 against Google Search Console Help · Google Search Console Help · TechRadar.
Pricing model
Free.
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
Not applicable
Google Search Console plans and prices (n/a)
Search Console
Free
n/a
Requires site verification with a Google account.
Search Console is free. Bulk export to BigQuery may incur Google Cloud storage and query costs.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesGoogle Search Console integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Google Analytics 4
- Looker Studio
- BigQuery bulk export
- Search Console API
Supported platforms
- Web
- Search Console app integrations
API
Search Console API.
Data import and export
Not applicable.
Connect Search Console to GA4 to see search queries alongside on-site behaviour.
Google Search Console pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- Every site owner who wants Google traffic data
- SEO teams diagnosing indexing
- Developers monitoring Core Web Vitals
May be less suited to
- Competitor and keyword-gap research
- Non-Google search engines
Top Google Search Console alternatives and competitors.
Semrush
An all-in-one SEO and online visibility platform with Pro, Guru and Business plans from about $140 a month…
Explore →Related productAhrefs
An SEO platform known for backlink data, with a free tier for your own sites and paid plans from $29…
Explore →Related productGoogle Analytics 4
Google's free, event-based web and app analytics, with an enterprise GA4 360 tier that sources estimate at…
Explore →Related productScreaming Frog SEO Spider
A desktop SEO crawler, free for up to 500 URLs and €245 per licence a year for unlimited crawling, on…
Explore →Google Search Console compared with similar SEO software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Free plan | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Free or open source | Yes | Free. | Every site owner who wants Google traffic data |
| Semrush | Flat or plan-based | No | Pro reported at $139.95 per month ($117.33 billed annually); extra users from $45 a month. | Marketing teams that want one broad SEO and competitive research suite |
| Ahrefs | Flat or plan-based | Yes (own sites) | Free for your own verified sites; Starter $29 and Lite $129 per month. | SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | One-time or term licence | Yes (500 URLs) | Free up to 500 URLs; €245 per licence per year. | Technical SEOs who audit sites with a desktop crawler |
| Google Search Console | Free or open source | Yes | Free. | Every site owner who wants Google traffic data |
| Mangools | Flat or plan-based | No | Basic reported at $61 a month or $452.40 a year; 10-day free trial. | Bloggers and small businesses that want simple keyword research |
Google Search Console vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Google Search Console questions and answers
What is Google Search Console used for?
Google Search Console is used for query and page performance analysis, indexing diagnostics, sitemap submission and core Web Vitals monitoring.
Does Google Search Console have a free plan?
Yes. Yes. Free trial: Not applicable.
How much does Google Search Console cost?
Free. Search Console is free.
What are the main alternatives to Google Search Console?
The main alternatives to Google Search Console covered on Stack18 are Semrush, Ahrefs, Google Analytics 4 and Screaming Frog SEO Spider. Semrush may suit marketing teams that want one broad SEO and competitive research suite. Ahrefs may suit SEO teams that rely on backlink and competitor data. Google Analytics 4 may suit most websites wanting free traffic and conversion analytics. See the Google Search Console alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What integrations does Google Search Console support?
Documented integrations include Google Analytics 4, Looker Studio, BigQuery bulk export and Search Console API. API: Search Console API.
What are the limitations of Google Search Console?
No competitor data. Interface exports are limited to 1,000 rows. Data is limited to 16 months.
Which platforms does Google Search Console run on?
Google Search Console is documented as available on: Web, Search Console app integrations.
When was the Google Search Console profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 13 Nov 2026. 3 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Performance report (Search results): Overview and basic setup Google Search Console Help Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Generative AI performance report (Search) Google Search Console Help Official Accessed 13 Nov 2026
- Google SEO Tools review TechRadar Third-party Accessed 13 Nov 2026
Mixed-source profile. Facts and prices come from the vendor’s own pages and independent third-party sources, as marked. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Plan names, prices and features were checked against the sources listed on 13 Nov 2026. Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
Evaluating Google Search Console?
Check the vendor's current pricing and terms, compare it with similar products, or read how others approach the decision. If off-the-shelf is not the answer, Stack18 builds around how your business works.
Logos provided by Logo.dev. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and appear for identification only; they do not imply endorsement.