Get ready for a game-changer in the world of Google Search Console! The highly anticipated custom annotations feature is now live, offering a powerful tool to enhance your performance reports.
Custom annotations have arrived, allowing you to add personalized notes directly within Search Console. This feature ensures you never forget those crucial events, from code changes to algorithm updates and even website bugs. Imagine having a digital memory aid right at your fingertips!
But here’s where it gets controversial… What exactly are these custom annotations? Google defines them as “Notes you create to mark important events specific to your property.” In simpler terms, it’s like leaving yourself a reminder about significant website changes or issues.
Google has been testing this feature since May 2025, and now it’s finally available. Let’s dive into how it works and why it matters.
How to Use Custom Annotations:
- Open the Performance Report: Access the report at https://search.google.com/search-console/performance/search-analytics.
- Right-click on the chart: Select the specific date you want to annotate.
- Choose a Date: Use the date picker to navigate to the desired date.
- Add Your Note: Type your annotation (up to 120 characters) in the text field.
- Click “Add”: Your custom annotation is now live!
You can add up to 200 annotations per property, providing ample space for your reminders. Deleting annotations is just as easy; simply click the annotation marker, select “DELETE” in the pop-up, and confirm your action.
Why Annotations Matter:
Annotations serve as a helpful reminder of what you’ve changed on your website while reviewing performance reports. As Google puts it, “Annotations provide context on your charts, helping you understand data changes.”
Google highlights several use cases for annotations, including:
- Infrastructure changes: Template updates or site migrations.
- SEO efforts: Implementing new plugins or hiring agencies.
- Content changes: Focusing on different user intents.
- External events: Holidays or other business-related occurrences.
However, a word of caution: Annotations are visible to anyone with access to those properties, so choose your notes wisely!
In Conclusion:
Custom annotations in Google Search Console offer a powerful way to enhance your performance reports. By adding personalized notes, you can keep track of important events and changes, ensuring a more informed analysis of your website’s performance.
And this is the part most people miss… Custom annotations provide a unique opportunity to reflect on your website’s journey and make data-driven decisions.
So, are you ready to embrace this new feature? How do you plan to utilize custom annotations? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!