No doubt that you know how to setup your Google Authorship profile so that you can see your Google+ profile image in the SERPs (search engine results page). But how to you find the impressions and clicks your articles receives. Google has a solution for that… Webmaster Tools!
Kevin Rowe
SEE ALSO: HP and Google Make IT Easier for Small Businesses
| Image is licensed under CC Attribution |
Possible Obstacles
These are the solutions for two obstacles you may encounter
when searching out your Author Stats. However, if you still are having trouble,
consider contacting a SEO
Freelancer to help you out.
when searching out your Author Stats. However, if you still are having trouble,
consider contacting a SEO
Freelancer to help you out.
| Figure 1: Example of Google Authorship in the Google |
· Don’t
know where to find you account: If you’re not familiar with Google’s
Webmaster Tools software and where to find it simply search Google for
“webmaster tools” while you are signed into Google and you’ll access your
account
know where to find you account: If you’re not familiar with Google’s
Webmaster Tools software and where to find it simply search Google for
“webmaster tools” while you are signed into Google and you’ll access your
account
· Don’t
have a Webmaster Tools account: When you search Google for “webmaster
tools” and click the URL you’ll be prompted to signup. Follow the instructions
for the easy setup.
have a Webmaster Tools account: When you search Google for “webmaster
tools” and click the URL you’ll be prompted to signup. Follow the instructions
for the easy setup.
Finding the Author
Stats
Stats
Webmaster Tools has gone under many changes lately, so if
you’re not in there frequently the navigation may change. For now, the Author
Stats are located in the left navigation under “Labs” dropdown menu (see figure
1).
you’re not in there frequently the navigation may change. For now, the Author
Stats are located in the left navigation under “Labs” dropdown menu (see figure
1).
| Figure 2: Author Stats in the Google Webmaster Tools account |
The next screen will display your statistics. You’ll be able
to see stats from 1) your website/blog, 2) blogs that you contribute to, 3)
your Google+ profile stats (see figure 3).
to see stats from 1) your website/blog, 2) blogs that you contribute to, 3)
your Google+ profile stats (see figure 3).
The stats that Google offers are:
·
Impressions: how many times your authored page
showed in the SERPs,
Impressions: how many times your authored page
showed in the SERPs,
·
Clicks: the number of clicks your article
received,
Clicks: the number of clicks your article
received,
·
CTR: the click-through-rate of your article,
which is impressions divided by clicks. This gives you an idea of your title’s
effectiveness,
CTR: the click-through-rate of your article,
which is impressions divided by clicks. This gives you an idea of your title’s
effectiveness,
·
Avg. Position: your article may show in many
positions, this number shows you the average position that your article is seen
in.
Avg. Position: your article may show in many
positions, this number shows you the average position that your article is seen
in.
Figure 3: Example of different stats in Webmaster Tools |
Take the next step! Go find your stats and then develop an
action plan to improve them towards your business goals: increase leads,
increase product sales, increase brand awareness, or others.
action plan to improve them towards your business goals: increase leads,
increase product sales, increase brand awareness, or others.
Kevin Rowe
About the Author:
Kevin Rowe is a SEO freelancer that helps companies increase valuable and targeted search engine traffic to their website. You can learn more about Kevin at www.rowedigital.com, or contact him at krowe@rowedigital.com.