Google Search Console introduces Annotations: Here's what you need to know

Google has rolled out a feature that really makes you happy as an SEO specialist, marketer, or entrepreneur: Annotations in Google Search Console.
Finally, you can add notes to your performance charts right inside Search Console. That means: no more separate spreadsheets, no messy documents, just see what you've done — and what the effect is — in one overview.

What exactly are Annotations?

Annotations are small notes that you add to the graph in the Performance Overview. Think about:

• publishing new content
• technical fixes
• website updates
• bug solutions
• migrations
• new campaigns

You mark a date, add a short description, and then a small indicator appears in the graph. When you hover over this, you'll see exactly what you did on that day.

It feels a bit like the annotations in Google Analytics, but finally in Search Console.

Why is this so useful for SEO?

The biggest advantage? You can see at a glance whether your action has had an effect.
Have you optimized a new page? Then you can now look back and see:

• when you did this
• when Google picked it up
• whether your positions have increased since then

It makes SEO more transparent, clearer and, frankly, much more fun.

In addition, it works ideally for teams or customers. Everyone sees exactly what has been done without endless explanations.

How do you add an Annotation?

Google keeps it simple, but the way you do it is a little less familiar. Here's how it works:

1. In Search Console, go to Performance.
2. In the graph, choose a specific date and right-click the line.
3. You will now see the option “Add annotation”.
4. You enter a title and a short description.
5. Done, your Annotation appears directly in the graph.

This way, you can build a timeline of all your SEO actions step by step, fully integrated into your performance data.

This changes a lot more than you think

Many companies are still working with assumptions.
“I think that dip was due to migration...”
“I think the update had an impact...”
“This increase is probably due to the new content...”

From now on, you can just check that.

Not only do you see that something has happened, but also when it happened and how the numbers behaved afterwards. This makes your analyses sharper and your communication to customers or colleagues much stronger.

Conclusion

Annotations in Google Search Console may sound like a minor update, but they have a huge impact on how you assess and optimize SEO.
You link your actions directly to the data, you keep track of everything in one place and you learn more quickly what works and what doesn't.

This makes SEO a lot more transparent again. And to be honest: it was about time.