Guide · 10 min · Updated 20/05/2026
Google Search Console mastery in 2026
GSC is the only first-party SEO data source. Most teams use 10% of it.
Performance — beyond the headline number
Filter by query × page to find under-performing pages on high-volume queries. Filter by country × device to find unexpected geographies. The Bulk Data Export to BigQuery is essential for sites over 1,000 URLs.
Indexing — the URL Inspection API
Bulk-test indexation status via the URL Inspection API (2,000 calls/day per property). Diagnose why URLs aren't indexed — most common: thin content, duplicate content, soft 404s.
Common questions
Is the 16-month limit a hard cap?
On the UI yes. Bulk Data Export to BigQuery preserves history indefinitely from the export date forward.