Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Rolls Out Custom Annotations in Search Console Performance Reports
Google has officially launched custom annotations in Search Console performance reports, allowing users to add up to 200 personalized notes per property. These annotations provide valuable contextual insights directly on performance charts, helping with data analysis and historical tracking. While you can delete annotations, editing is not yet supported, and annotations expire after 500 days. This feature enhances Search Console’s usability by enabling teams to document key events like feature launches or bug fixes.
Optimixed’s Overview: Enhancing Google Search Console with Custom Annotation Capabilities
Introduction to Custom Annotations
Google has expanded the functionality of its Search Console by introducing custom annotations within performance reports. This feature allows webmasters and SEO professionals to add notes directly to their data charts, providing a clearer understanding of fluctuations and trends over time.
How the Feature Works
- Annotation Limit: Users can create up to 200 annotations per property.
- Annotation Management: While annotations can be deleted, editing them is currently unavailable.
- Annotation Lifespan: Annotations automatically expire after 500 days.
- Visibility: Annotations appear on charts regardless of applied filters but are hidden in comparison mode and 24-hour views.
Types of Annotations
- System Annotations: Automatically generated to flag data processing issues.
- Custom Annotations: User-generated notes marking important events like feature releases or bug fixes.
Benefits for SEO and Website Management
This update provides a streamlined way to maintain a historical log of significant site events that impact search performance. By embedding context directly onto performance charts, teams can perform more effective causation analysis and make smarter decisions based on annotated data. The feature represents a much-needed improvement in Search Console, aligning it closer to functionalities found in popular third-party SEO tools.
