Step 1: Getting Connected
Click the data source dropdown at the top left of the report. Select Add data > Google Search Console and authorize access.
Choose the specific domain or URL prefix you want to analyze.
Use the date picker in the top right. Pro-tip: Change the date range to 90 days for a more reliable dataset. Shorter 7-day windows can sometimes be noisy for impression counts.
By default, queries are sorted by Word Count. Remember: longer queries equal more specific user intent. Start your analysis there!
Step 2: Uncovering User Intent with Filters
Not all keywords are created equal. Someone searching for "how to fix a leaky pipe" is looking for information, while someone searching for "best plumbers near me" is ready to buy. You can use the Query filter box to surface specific intent groups instantly:
Filtering for these words is perfect for finding topics for blog posts, FAQs, and featured-snippet targets.
Filtering for these words highlights comparison shoppers. These queries are goldmines for landing pages and buying guides.
To switch strategies, simply clear the filter and type in a new intent keyword.
Step 3: Isolating Ultra-Specific Keywords with the Word Count Filter
Sometimes you don't just want to look at intent words; you want to find those highly specific, low-competition, 10+ word queries. We've built a custom Query Word Count metric right into the dashboard to help you do exactly that. You can interact with this in two ways:
Look for the slider control on your dashboard. Want to only see queries with 5 or more words? Drag the slider up to 5. Looking for ultra-specific voice search queries? Drag it to 10. The entire dashboard will instantly update to show only keywords that meet your exact length requirements.
If you want a specific view to always show 10+ words, you can apply a permanent filter to the table (Setup > Filters > Include "Query Word Count" >= 10) so the data is always segmented for you.
Step 4: Decoding the Numbers (CTR & Position)
Seeing thousands of impressions with zero clicks can be frustrating, but context is everything. Understanding your Click-Through Rate (CTR) in relation to your Average Position is crucial to knowing where to spend your time. Here is what typical CTR looks like across the search results:
| Avg. Position Range | Typical CTR | What it means | Your Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 3 | 15 – 35% | Ranking well. Optimize title/meta to push CTR even higher. | Optimize |
| 4 – 10 | 3 – 15% | Good ranking. Small content updates can push you to the top 3. | Improve |
| 11 – 20 | 0.5 – 3% | Near-miss zone. Best ROI—small effort, big ranking jump. | High Priority |
| 21 – 50+ | ~0% | Deep pages. Impressions here are a signal of topical relevance only. | Long-term |
A quick note on low CTR: If you have high impressions, 0 clicks, and an Average Position of 40+, this is perfectly normal. Users rarely scroll to page 4 or 5. This is not a title tag or meta description problem; it is a ranking problem. The query is relevant to your site, but your page needs more authority or better on-page optimization to reach page 1.
Step 5: Taking Action on Your Findings
Data is only useful if you do something with it. Click the three-dot menu on the table to Export to a Google Sheet for prioritization. Here is exactly how to execute your strategy based on what the report tells you:
- Target the "Near-Misses" (Pos 11–20, >5 Impressions): This is your lowest-hanging fruit. Update the existing page ranking for this term. Add the exact query into an H2 header, expand the content to be more comprehensive, and strengthen your internal linking pointing to that page.
- Target Deep Rankings (Pos 40+, High Impressions, 0 Clicks): Your current page isn't cutting it. Create a brand-new, dedicated page specifically targeting that exact query. Include clear headers, FAQ schema, and point internal links to it.