Data Explained | Using the Google Search Console page dimension
Question
What happens when the 'page' dimension is included in my Google Search Console dataset?
Data Explained
The 'page' dimension (which is better thought of as a landing page) will actually over-state the total impressions. The reason being is that a Site URL can have multiple pages for a search (query). For example, when 'alight analytics' is searched (queried) for in Google, the following is the result:
One search counts as an impression against each page (7 total).
Question
How do I QC the v_google_search_console_page_query dataset in Google Search Console's reporting interface?
Data Explained
Within the Google Search Console reporting interface, please do the following:
- Click on "PAGES"
- Update the Date filter to the day you want to QC
- Up at the top, click the "+ New"
- Select "Query..."
- Change from "Queries containing" to "Exact query"
- Paste the exact query in the Keyword section
- Click Apply
Question
Why is impression data under-reported when 'country' and 'device' are in my dataset?
Data Explained
The dimensions 'country' and 'device' don't have a "not set" value so they kind of serve as filters when included in data-pulls. For example if there are 100 total impressions but Google Search Console only captured the 'device' value for 80 of them, then there would only be 80 total impressions for a "device" data-set. If 'country' and 'device' are included it would only return the impressions where it captured values for both.
Interested in learning more about dimension groupings and how it impacts your data? Click HERE to find out more about Google Search Console's performance reporting.