Want More Clicks? Find Your Best Keywords with Google Search Console

If you’re finding that getting more organic clicks to your site is a challenge, here’s some good news: you have access to a completely free and powerful tool that is generally underutilized for finding your best keywords — Google Search Console (GSC).

Whether you are a blogger, business owner, marketer, or SEO professional, finding and optimizing keyword opportunities is the fastest way to increase traffic and sales. At Kantha Digital, we help our clients identify untapped areas of keyword opportunity using GSC to increase visibility and clicks.

In this blog, I’m going to take you step by step through figuring out your top-performing keywords (and some hidden gems) with Google Search Console without running into too many dead ends.

What is Google Search Console and Why Should You Use It for Keyword Research?

Google Search Console?

Google Search Console, formerly known as Webmaster Tools, is a free service from Google that helps you to track, maintain, and troubleshoot your site’s presence in Google Search results.

It will let you know:

• The number of clicks to your pages from Google.
• The queries people use to find your site.
• The position of your pages for specific keywords.
• How many times have your pages been shown (impressions)?
• The CTR (click-through rate) for each page and keyword.

Why Use GSC for Keyword Research?

While many people use premium SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, GSC has a unique advantage: it shows real search queries from real users who saw your site in Google search results.

Here’s why it’s perfect for keyword research:

• You see actual search terms that drive impressions & clicks.
• It’s completely free.
• You can discover what you already rank for and optimize further.
• You can find low-hanging fruit: keywords where you rank on pages 2–3.
• You can uncover high-CTR or low-CTR opportunities.

In short, Google Search Console helps you refine your keyword strategy using real-world data — no guessing.

How To Find Your Best Keywords in Google Search Console?

After verifying your site and collecting data, it’s now time to find your best keywords.

Step 1: Log in and go to the “Performance” report

Once you have logged into your GSC account:

    1. Choose your website.

    2. Click Performance > Search Results.

    3. Choose a date range of at least the last 3 months (or 6–12 months for better results).

On this page, you will see a table with the following columns:

• Query (the search keyword).
• Clicks (the number of times someone clicked your link).
• Impressions (the number of times your site was displayed in search).
• CTR (clicks ÷ impressions).
• Average Position (your rank in search).

Step 2: Sort Queries by Clicks

This shows you the keywords that deliver the most traffic.

These are your top keywords, the keywords that you are ranking well for and that users are searching for.

Step 3: Look at Impressions & Positions

Sometimes you’ll see keywords where your site appears a lot (high impressions) but gets very few clicks.

This means you may rank on page 2 or 3 — an opportunity to improve content and push higher.

Step 4: Identify Low-Position but High-CTR Keywords

Keywords that rank low (say, position 8–20) but already get clicks can often deliver more if you optimize.

These are low-hanging fruits.

Step 5: Find Keywords with Low CTR Despite High Impressions

If you have keywords with thousands of impressions but very few clicks, it could mean:

• Your meta title & description aren’t compelling.
• The page content doesn’t match user intent.
• You’re ranking for irrelevant queries.

You can re-optimize these pages to improve CTR.

While Google Search Console helps you find keywords you’re already ranking for, you also need to discover new keywords to target and expand your reach. Check out our guide on Keyword Research to Get Higher Rank in SERP, where we explain advanced techniques and tools to uncover fresh keyword opportunities and outrank competitors.

Can You Discover Long-Tail Keywords in Google Search Console?

Absolutely! Long-tail keywords — longer, more specific search queries — are crucial for driving targeted traffic.

They usually have:

• Lower competition.
• Higher conversion rates.
• Lower search volume, but more qualified visitors.

How to Find Long-Tail Keywords in GSC:

1. In the Performance > Search Results report, scroll down the query list.

2. Look for queries with 3–5 or more words — these are often long-tail.

For example:

Instead of just “rings,” you might see:

• “Marquise cut engagement rings”
• “Baguette cut diamond eternity ring”

3. Sort by position or impressions to find where you’re already ranking.

Why They Matter:

These specific queries indicate clear user intent — people are closer to converting. You can create targeted content or optimize existing pages around these keywords to capture that intent.

Which Keyword Traps Should You Watch Out for in Google Search Console?

While GSC is powerful, many people make mistakes or misinterpret the data. Watch out for these traps:

1. Focusing Only on Clicks

Clicks are important, but don’t ignore impressions & position.

You may have high-potential keywords with low clicks because of poor CTR or low rank — optimize those too.

2. Ignoring Low-Volume Keywords

Not every keyword needs to bring thousands of clicks.

Sometimes, niche low-volume keywords convert better.

3. Chasing Irrelevant Keywords

You might find you rank for irrelevant queries — don’t waste time optimizing for them. Focus on keywords that align with your goals and audience.

4. Misreading CTR

A low CTR isn’t always bad if your rank is low (position 10+).

But if you’re ranking in the top 3 and CTR is still low, you probably need better meta tags or more appealing titles.

5. Not Checking Mobile vs. Desktop Data

User behavior can differ greatly between devices — check both.

6. Overlooking Seasonal Keywords

Some keywords spike seasonally — e.g., “best Diwali gifts” — so plan your content calendar accordingly.

How to Turn Insights Into Action?

1. Improve pages that rank well but have low CTR (better meta descriptions & titles).

2. Optimize for long-tail keywords with dedicated content.

3. Update & refresh content to target low-position but high-potential queries.

4. Create internal links to strengthen pages that rank for competitive keywords.

5. Use your findings to develop a targeted content strategy.

Conclusion

Google Search Console isn’t just a technical SEO tool — it’s a goldmine for keyword research if you know how to use it. By analyzing real search data, identifying your top and hidden keywords, and optimizing strategically, you can increase your organic clicks significantly.

At Kantha Digital, we help businesses and individuals turn GSC insights into action, driving more traffic and conversions with a smart keyword strategy. If you’re looking for expert help, our On-Page SEO Service Agency – Kantha Digital can help optimize your website, improve your rankings, and maximize your results.

In addition to on-page SEO, we also offer professional Link-Building Services to strengthen your site’s authority and earn high-quality backlinks that boost your visibility in search results.

So, the next time you’re looking for more clicks and better SEO results, don’t guess. Open up Google Search Console and let the data guide you!

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