Google Webmaster Search Console has become a significant reporting influence for reviewing the performance of a site from the perspective of search traffic.
As Webmaster became the go-to tool for search performance, Google learned that some report updates were necessary to appeal to analysts who wanted more nuanced yet less technical information about their site.
In response to that need, Google created Search Analytics, an update of the search queries report in Webmaster. Search Analytics introduces a few new options that increase the accuracy of search traffic analysis.
(Update: Google today announced a significant update to Webmaster Tools — a name change from Webmaster Tools to Search Console. The change is meant to better align the tool to user expectations regarding how to better share content online. From Google’s blog post on the announcement:
“We have all kinds of Webmaster Tools fans: hobbyists, small business owners, SEO experts, marketers, programmers, designers, app developers, and, of course, webmasters as well. What you all share is a desire to make your work available online, and to make it findable through Google Search.”
