Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics (GA) are different and completely independent platforms. The Google Search Console helps business owners and apps improve search optimization. Google Analytics was built for behavior tracking, accommodating the users in mind. Here are some of the differences between Google Search Console and Google Analytics:
Google Analytics
Google Analytics made its debut in 2005. Since its release, it has shot up in popularity and has become the most used analytical platform globally. GA is responsible for providing the following types of data regarding the performance of your website:
- How are users finding their experience on your website
- Who is your target group
Google Analytics also helps the owner to have access to the following information:
- Where are most visitors located
- What is the nature of a client’s visit
- How many people are visiting your site
- What is the amount of time people are spending on your site
Google Search Console
GSC was initially known as the Google webmaster tool. The platform was launched in 2015 and later restored for use in early 2018. Google Search Console is equally a powerful platform. The platform displays data gotten from google.
The site owner knows how many snippet impressions appeared on a certain screen. This metric allows you to optimize your search against competitors and drive traffic to your website. Google Search Console provides the following useful information:
- Are there any technical errors in your website
- Which people are connecting to your website
To better understand the use of both platforms and the difference, it is crucial to understand their functionality. The functionality involves understanding the metrics the platforms track.
Metrics to Track Using Google Search Console
Search Analytics
GSA helps you build reports that provide an intuition of the search traffic and illustrate your queries in Google that the website currently ranks. The reports provided serve as a tool when analyzing your site or web page performance. You can now optimize your online business campaigns to reach potential customers for your products
In addition, Google Search Console gives a clear breakdown of the following sections:
- Click counts
- Position
- Number of impressions
- Click-through-rate
Intel on top keyword queries
Keyword queries are among the essential reports within the GSC. The report provides a list of the most typed keyword queries used by online searchers. The run reports show the number of clicks for each keyword and the ranking.
Metrics to Track Using Google Analytics
Acquisition
Online marketing is all about getting a more expansive market coverage for your products and services. As a business owner, you can attract potential clients using paid online campaigns or the SEO strategy. Google Analytics provides accurate information to know where customers are based. You can get to measure the different categories of visits to your site. The categories of visitors are:
- Referral visits
- Social media platform visits
- Direct visits
- Organic searches visit
- Email link visits
Audience Demography
GA has a demographics tab that helps you identify with your customers. The feature helps identify the gender, age, or types of professionals visiting your site. You can make continuous improvements to reach your target audience from the data.
Rate of Bounce
The average rate of bounce is between 40% and 60%. Blogging more often might see the rate go higher because of people visiting your site content. It is crucial to ensure you maintain a low bouncing rate. A high bouncing rate implies customers leave your site faster because they cannot find what they need. To avoid such instances, you can reword your web page to clarify what your business does or who you are. Combining GA and GSC provides a clear picture of your client's journey through and beyond visiting your website. More so, you get a clear understanding of how you appear on various search engines.
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