Google Search Console now offers a powerful new feature: custom annotations for performance reports. These annotations are like personalized notes that help you keep track of important events related to your website's performance. Whether it's a coding change, an algorithm update, or a bug fix, you can now mark these key moments directly within the Search Console. But what exactly are custom annotations, and why are they so useful? Let's dive in and explore how they work and why they matter.
What are Custom Annotations?
Custom annotations are self-created notes that highlight specific events on your website. As Google explains, they are "Notes you create yourself to mark important events specific to your property, such as when you launch a new feature, or fix a bug on your website." These annotations provide a clear and concise way to add context to your performance data, making it easier to understand and interpret.
The History of Custom Annotations
Google began testing this feature in May 2025, and it's now available to all users. This means you can start utilizing custom annotations to enhance your website's performance analysis.
How to Add Custom Annotations
Adding custom annotations is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Open the Performance Report: Navigate to the Performance report within Search Console.
2. Select a Date: Right-click on the chart for the specific date you want to annotate and choose a date using the date picker.
3. Add Your Note: Type your annotation in the text field, keeping it concise (up to 120 characters).
4. Save: Click 'Add' to save your annotation.
You can add up to 200 annotations for a single property, providing ample space to document various events.
Deleting Annotations
If you need to remove an annotation, follow these steps:
1. Click on the annotation marker on the chart to view the note.
2. Select 'Delete' in the annotation pop-up window.
3. Confirm the deletion on the following screen.
Why Custom Annotations Matter
Annotations are incredibly valuable for several reasons:
- Contextual Understanding: They provide context to your performance data, helping you grasp the impact of changes on your website.
- Website Changes: Annotations remind you of the modifications you've made, ensuring you can track the effects of coding changes, algorithm updates, and bug fixes.
- Infrastructure and SEO: They can be used for infrastructure changes, SEO efforts, content updates, and external events, making it easier to manage and analyze your website's performance.
A Word of Caution
Remember, annotations are visible to anyone with access to your property. Be mindful of the information you post, as it can be seen by others. Ensure that your annotations provide valuable insights without revealing sensitive details.
About the Author
Barry Schwartz, a renowned technologist and contributing editor to Search Engine Land, is the author of this article. He is also a programming team member for SMX events and the owner of RustyBrick, a web consulting firm. Barry has received numerous awards, including the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land and the US Search Personality of the Year in 2018. He is also listed as one of the top 50 most influential PPCers by Marketing O'Clock. You can follow him on Twitter and learn more about his work on his personal website and at RustyBrick.
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