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When recently asked “what is your favorite SEO tool?” I could think of none other than Google Webmaster Tools. While many SEO experts will probably disagree and suggest to use some paid SEO tools suite, I’d like to explain my choice and present you with 44 Google Webmaster Tools resources.
Over the years Google has greatly improved the free Webmaster Tools. They’ve added lots of very useful new features and it’s now a must-use for regularly checking out your site.
Of course GWT is not perfect; there some shortcomings, such as the very short data retention or the rounding of views and click numbers. Nonetheless, you can gain lots of very up-to-date stats about your site, be it load speed, click through rates or backlinks.
You can improve and check indexation and GWT also offers valuable clues for your keyword research. You can use Google Webmaster Tools every day and still gain new insights each time.
How to use Google Webmaster Tools for SEO
- Using Webmaster Tools like an SEO – YouTube
- 3 Ways to Use Google Webmaster Tools to Increase Search Engine Traffic
- 9 Step SEO Checkup Using Google Webmaster Tools
- Keyword Research in Google Webmaster Tools | Vertical Measures
- How to Use Google Webmaster Tools for SEO Inspiration | SEOptimise
- Diagnosing Google Crawl Allowance Using Webmaster Tools & Excel | SEOmoz
- Understanding the Updated URL Parameter Handling in Google’s Webmaster Tools | Search Engine People
GWB features
- Find click through rates for SEO – 8 reasons to use the new Google WMT feature > Smart Insights Digital Marketing
- Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Submit URLs to Google with Fetch as Googlebot
- Google Sending Notifications Of Unnatural Links Pointing To Your Site
- Submit URLs To Google Via Google Webmaster Tools
- New Google Tool Lets You Preview Instant Previews In Webmaster Tools
- Google Adds URL Parameter Options to Google Webmaster Tools
- Google Webmaster Tools Warning Of “Unnatural Links,” “Cloaking” & More
- Google Analytics Blog: +1 reporting in Google Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics
- See What Googlebot Sees On Your Site
Internal and third party tools
- Raven adds Google Webmaster Tools to its online marketing platform
- WordPress › Google Site Verification Plugin « WordPress Plugins
- Google Verify – Joomla! Extensions Directory
- Magento Connect – Flagbit Google Webmaster Tools – eCommerce Software for Growth
- Google Webmaster Tools API – Google Code
Issues
- Google Webmaster Tools Search Queries Report Now Less Accurate
- Negative Link Counts In Google Webmaster Tools?
- Google Webmaster Tools and the Google Gap
- 7 deadly mistakes to avoid in Google Webmaster Tools Console | Web SEO Analytics
Google Webmaster Tools for beginners
- Google Webmaster Tools Quick Start Guide
- Google Webmaster Tools | ClickZ
- Google Webmaster Tools 101 | ClickZ
- Google Webmaster Tools: A Beginner’s Guide to Installation | SEOptimise
- Google Webmaster Tools Guide
- SEO With Google Webmaster Tools – Part 1: Setting Up a Site
- Beginner’s Guide to Google Webmaster Tools
- The Challenges of Measuring SEO Success, Part 2 – Search Engine Watch
- Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Linking Google Analytics to Webmaster Tools
Advanced analytics with Google Webmaster Tools
- Indexation Problems: Diagnosis using Google Webmaster Tools | | distilled
- Page Level Search Engine Indexation [Data & Collection Methodology] – SEOgadget.co.uk
- Site Speed: Reducing Page Load Times and Increasing Pages Crawled – VisibleFactors
- Case Study: Google Webmaster Tools for Diagnostics | Semto SEO Blog
- Competitive Intelligence with Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools
- Using Google’s Webmaster Tools Search Queries Report To Identify Low Hanging Fruit | SEOmoz
Metrics and definitions
- Google Now Reporting 301 Redirects As Links In Webmaster Tools
- Social Links DO Matter – Especially for Social Sites | Holistic Search Marketing
- Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Reorganizing internal vs. external backlinks
- The end of Pagerank? Google removes PR from Webmaster Tools
Did I overlook some major Google Webmaster Tools resources? Add them in the comment section please! I may update the list.
* CC image by Astrid Westvang.
Great resources here. Webmaster tools is definitely one of the most helpful tools for finding out what the priority areas of your site are.
Will have a look through all these.