Google Search Console: the ultimate guide to improving links and SEO

Our online presence is now more necessary than ever, whether we represent a small local business or a large multinational corporation. Websites act as a "digital showcase" of our activities, services and products. However, managing to stand out in a competitive environment - and on a huge scale like that of the global web - is not a simple task. This is where the so-called "globalisation" comes in. SEO strategy (Search Engine Optimization), the optimization of websites for search engines. Among the most basic SEO tools available to us, the Google Search Console takes the lead, as it provides a wealth of information and statistics about a site's performance in Google's results.

In this article we will focus on the crucial issue of links, i.e. backlinks (inbound links from other websites) and internal links (internal linking of our pages), as displayed and recorded in Google Search Console. Links are considered a very important ranking signal for search engines, and their management often largely determines the motivation of organic movement to our website. Whether you are a beginner in the field of digital marketingwhether you're a seasoned professional, this guide will help you get the most out of Google Search Console's link-related features.

At the same time, we will look at best practices link building, which enhance the quality of your links and increase the credibility of your site. Finally, we will also expand on the importance of analyzing statistics (e.g. Crawl stats, Performance Report, Search index) as part of an overall SEO strategy, so you can methodically plan your next steps for better rankings on Google results pages (SERP).

Our goal is not to reproduce technical information without substance, but to give you a complete and detailed "navigation map" that will help you maximize the benefit of links through Google Search Console, while giving you examples, step-by-step instructions and detailed suggestions for further development.

By reading this guide, you will learn:

• What is the Google Search Console and why it is a key pillar for SEO.
• The concept of backlinks, because the links have weight for the SERP rankings and how Google's tool can highlight them.
• How to interpret the link data displayed in the console (which sites link to you, which are the top internal links, etc.).
• How to analyse the Traffic analysis and improve the motivation of organic movement through Google Search Console reports.
• What it means and how you manage modules such as the Crawl stats, the Search index, as well as the Performance Report in order to further enhance the SEO of your page.
• Good practices that protect you from spammy backlinks and strategies to make the most of positive ones.
• How to use Google Search Console in conjunction with Google Analytics etc. Webmasters tools for a global view of your website.

This article exceeds three thousand words, aiming to become the ultimate Greek-language guide to Google Search Console and links, offering practical tips and knowledge that you can apply immediately. Let's start with a concise, but essential, description of Google Search Console.

What is Google Search Console and what is its importance for SEO?

The Google Search Console (formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools) is a free service provided by Google to continuously monitor and improve the presence of a website in search results. In simpler terms, it is a "control center" where you can see exactly how Google "reads" your site and what problems it may encounter when it attempts to crawl, index or rank it.

For any SEO strategy, data from Google Search Console is the most "authentic" source. The information is directly from Google, so there is no "second filtering" or data from third-party tools that may be inaccurate. In short, through the platform you learn what the search engine itself sees when it scans and evaluates your site. This gives you the ability to intervene immediately in case of errors, correct technical problems or optimise specific pages for better rankings.

Of course, in order to access Google Search Console, you must register and verify your website. Once Google recognizes that you own the site, you can start getting analytics, submit your own sitemaps, resolve possible indexing errors, manage modules such as the Performance Report and, of course, follow the links carefully.

Introduction to Backlinks and their importance

Why do we spend so much time on links? In the world of SEO, the backlinks- i.e. links pointing from external sites to your own page - have (since Google was established as the main search engine) been one of the most important ranking factors.

When another site links to your page, Google takes it as a "vote of confidence" in your content. Obviously, not all links carry the same weight. Depending on the reliability, the domain authority of the external site and the content relevance, a backlink can give you more or less value. For example, a link from a leading and internationally recognized news portal is clearly considered more important than a link from a small, unknown site of dubious quality.

In Google Search Console, you can:

• See which external sites link to you (and how many links each one provides).
• Locate anchor texts used to link you.
• Distinguish which pages on your website receive more links.
• Manage, through the relevant settings, the negative backlinks, by taking actions such as Disavow.

Links, therefore, drastically affect the way Google "scores" your site for different keywords. For example, if you get a lot of quality citations from related thematic sites, Google is very likely to improve your ranking and boost your motivation of organic movement to your pages. Investing in link building but with white hat SEO and high quality, you ensure a long-term increase in credibility.

---

Introducing the "Links" section in Google Search Console

Within the main menu of Google Search Console, you'll find a special section called "Links". This is where all the information about how many and which sites are linked to you, as well as the internal linking of your pages, is focused.

External links

In the "External links" section, the platform shows three main tables:

1. Top linking sites (Top linking sites): Which websites link to your site and how many links each has.
2. Top linking text (Top linking text): The anchor texts, i.e. the phrases or words that are clicked on and lead to your page.
3. Top linked pages: The pages of your own website that receive the most external referrals.

At first glance, you will notice that there are numbers corresponding to the total number of links. You may see "inflated" numbers because it's common for a domain to make multiple links to you, especially if it places your link in a recurring footer or sidebar. So to assess quality, you need to carefully investigate who the domain in question is and in what context they are referring you.

This information is valuable because you can identify where significant traffic is "coming from" and if there are domains (sites) that are giving you unwanted or suspicious links. There you intervene accordingly, possibly implementing the Disavow tool if you think something is harming SEO strategy Your.

Internal connectors

Equally important is the good structure of internal linking, as it makes it easier for Google to crawl and understand the structure of your website. In this context, the "Internal links" section shows which pages and to what extent they are linked to other pages within the same domain.

Internal linking is an often neglected aspect of SEO, yet it is critical to the user experience and how Google evaluates the relevance of your specific pages. A page with many internal links is considered more "central" to the site and likely to carry more weight in Search index.

By analysing this data, you can:

• Restructure your site so that important pages are easily accessible.
• Add new internal links for a better distribution of link equity.
• Remove or upgrade internal links that are outdated or misleading.

---

Practical guide: how to check and improve links with Google Search Console

Let's now look at a step-by-step action plan to take full advantage of the Google Search Console tool in relation to your links.

Step 1: Log in to Google Search Console and go to the "Links" section

1. Once you're on the main console screen, you'll see the menu on the left.
2. Click on "Links" to enter the section we are interested in.

Step 2: Check the external connections

• See which are the "Top linking sites".
• List the most quality and relevant websites that connect you. These can be a useful indicator of how well you are connecting within your market/industry.
• If you see domains that don't add value and look suspicious or spam, make a note. You may need to investigate further, or resort to the Disavow tool later.

Step 3: Analyze the anchor texts

• The texts used to link to your page play an important role in SEO.
• For example, if the link is "running shoes" and your site is about sportswear, Google considers your page to be related to running shoes.
• Make sure that the exact keyword is not misused. In the past, there was the so-called "over-optimization", where the same anchor text was used en masse, which is now considered a spammy practice.

Step 4: Check the "Top linked pages"

• Which pages have the most external references? Is it an old post that you haven't updated or a product page that could be improved?
• If certain pages are getting the highest percentage of backlinks, you may need to find ways to channel (internal linking) some of this "link juice" to other important pages.

Step 5: Inspect the "Internal Links"

• Which page appears with the highest frequency of internal links? Is it really your most important page or is it just found in a recurring footer?
• Identify pages with a small number of internal links that are still important. Update the text of your other pages to create useful internal links.

Step 6: Use the Disavow tool (if needed)

• This tool allows you to "disavow" links that you consider malicious or spammy. However, you need to be very careful and only if you are sure that these links are harmful to you.
• Do not rush to disavow links. It is better to first attempt to contact the site owner to have them removed. If he does not respond or if they are "aggregated" links from sites of dubious quality, then move on.

---

Deepening SEO Strategy: how links in Search Console boost the overall effort

The Google Search Console does not work in isolation. In practice, it is ideally combined with other practices digital marketing and with tools such as the Google Analytics, creating an "ecosystem" of information. See how information about links can be integrated into the overall SEO strategy.

Data correlation between Search Console and Google Analytics

• From Google Search Console we know how many and who connect us.
• From Google Analytics we see drinking traffic brought to us by these sites and how the visitors who "enter" them behave (e.g. time of stay, abandonment rate).
• By comparing this data, you can discover which collaborations, guest posts or posts on other sites are really worthwhile (have conversions), and which ones just don't produce positive results.

Use of the Performance Report

At Performance Report Google Search Console you see the keywords that bring you traffic, the keywords that bring you traffic, the views (impressions) and the Click (clicks), as well as the average position in the SERPs. If you notice that a particular page rises in ranking alongside the gradual increase in backlinks to it, the role played by external links is confirmed. With such data, you can plan more effective campaigns link building, targeting pages or keywords that you are most interested in.

Analysis based on keywords

In an integrated SEO strategy, you already know which keywords are important for your website. Through the Search Console, you can see if the anchor texts relevant to the keywords you want to "lift". For example, if you write for "leather bags" and most links have anchor text "women's accessories", then you may be missing the "link" that will help you rank higher in searches for leather bags.

Finding New Link Building Opportunities

By understanding which domains give you links and what tends to "work", you can seek further partnerships. If, for example, you find that a particular type of content (e.g. "10 things to..." lists, "How to..." guides) tends to attract more links, it may be worth investing in more such articles or posts.

Building credibility and reputation (Brand Authority)

Link building combined with link tracking in Google Search Console is not just a mechanistic SEO action. Instead, it gradually builds the "reputation" and reliability of your website in the digital space. This has long-term benefits, as search engines (and users themselves) recognise that your site is a 'resource' that others often refer to.

---

Tips for a Healthy Link Profile

In addition to monitoring, it is important to create a healthy link profile (healthy link profile). Here are some best practices worth following:

1. Quality Content: Create content that others want to connect. Whether it's an in-depth guide, an infographic or a useful tool, you need to offer value to gain natural links.
2. Avoid Spammy Link Building: Practices such as buying bulk links from dubious quality sites may have a short-term effect, but often lead to penalties from Google.
3. Various Sources: Make sure the links come from different domains, otherwise you risk being suspected of manipulation schemes. A natural link profile is characterised by diversity.
4. Balanced Anchor Texts: Avoid using the same keyword over and over again in the anchor text. Use combinations of branded anchors (e.g. company name), general phrases (e.g. "read more here"), and more targeted phrases where it makes sense.
5. Competition monitoring: Check with special Webmasters tools (e.g. SEO tools like Semrush, Ahrefs etc.) the backlinks of your competitors. See what sites they link to, what kind of content they promote, how they have succeeded in getting high value links.
6. Partnerships & Guest Posting: If done in a quality way, collaborations (e.g. writing articles on industry sites) can bring you natural, quality links. Just be careful not to overdo it with duplicate anchor text or a large amount of irrelevant content.
7. Updating old content: Sometimes, excellent articles from the past that have received good links are forgotten. Update them (update), add new elements, improve formatting and SEO. This may attract even more quality links and keep old content "alive".
8. Avoiding Broken Links: Check if there are any broken links within your site. If Google Search Console shows 404 errors of pages that are still receiving backlinks, quickly create a 301 redirect to a relevant active page so you don't lose link juice.
9. Monitoring and Maintenance: A healthy link profile is not an instant but a process. Take time regularly to look at changes, identify any negative elements and continually improve your strategy.

---

Advanced use of Google Search Console tools for deeper analysis

The links module does not operate in isolation from the others. For an even better picture, it is advisable to pay attention to the following:

• Crawl Stats: It shows you how often Google visits your site and how many pages are crawled on a daily basis. If you've improved internal linking, you can see if Google is now more efficient at indexing.
• Search Index (Index Coverage): Here you can see the pages that have been indexed, as well as any errors or warnings. A faulty index coverage can make it difficult to evaluate your links, as Google may not be able to crawl your pages correctly.
• Enhancements: You can track items such as mobile experience (Mobile Usability). Although not directly related to links, the overall quality of the site (which includes mobile-friendly design and fast loading) affects other sites' willingness to link to you.

---

Frequently Asked Questions and Misconceptions

1. "How often should I check Google Search Console?"
   • There is no strict rule, but it is advisable to have a look at least once a week, especially if you are active in the field of link building.
2. "Should I disavow all 'suspicious' links?"
   • No. The Disavow tool should be used sparingly. It is more beneficial to first ask website owners to remove or modify suspicious links.
3. "Do more backlinks always mean better rankings?"
   • Not necessarily. Quality plays a primary role. Many times a handful of backlinks from reliable sources is superior to hundreds of low quality links.
4. "Is Google Search Console enough to do all the SEO?"
   • It is an essential tool, but it is good to combine it with other methods and platforms (e.g. Google Analytics, specialized SEO tools) for a more complete picture and action.
5. "If I don't have time, can I just ignore the Liaison section?"
   • This poses risks. Links are central to how Google ranks your site, and ignoring them can allow low-quality backlinks to damage your image.

---

Additional advice from authoritative internet sources

• Google's Webmaster Guidelines: Google itself provides official guidelines around best practices for creating and managing links.
• Moz Blog & Ahrefs Blog: Historically, these are sites with a plethora of articles and videos on SEO trends, link building best practices, and various case studies.
• SEO Discussion Forum (e.g. Reddit /r/SEO): There, experienced professionals share tips and answer questions about managing Google Search Console.
• Official YouTube Channel Google Search Central: Here you'll find guides, webinars and Q&As from "first-hand" Google team members.

---

Conclusion

Managing connections, both internal and external, is key to overall success at the level of SEO and digital marketing. Η Google Search Console is not just a "nice-to-have" tool, but an essential "bridge" between how you see your site and how Google sees it - and ranks it. By analyzing the console reports and strategically improving the link profile you can strengthen your motivation of organic movement, increase audience trust and ultimately climb higher in the search results.

Through this article, we've seen the full spectrum of moves: from identifying the top external sectors that connect you, to leveraging your Performance Report to connect backlinks to improve the quality of the SERP rankings, the distribution of internal link juice, and the importance of periodic maintenance of the link profile.

Acquiring quality links is not something that happens overnight. It requires methodical work, building worthwhile content, careful targeting, and definitely a holistic look at the technical aspects of the website. However, if you invest substantially in the SEO part and keep in constant contact with Google Search Console, your website will benefit both in the short term (increased traffic) and long term (stronger brand and reputation).

So feel free to check regularly in the "Links" section, fix problems that occur and constantly evolve the SEO strategy Your. This will not only ensure that your website stands firmly in Google's "eyes", but also that your potential customers or readers find exactly what they are looking for, in a friendly and organised digital environment.

Good luck in enhancing your site through Google Search Console!

Source: https://www.semrush.com/blog/google-search-console-links/