How to Connect Google Search Console

What you need

A verified Search Console property for the exact domain (e.g. https://example.com) and a Pro or Enterprise Searchlight subscription. The Google account you connect must have at least 'Restricted' access to the property.

Step-by-step: connect Search Console

1. 1

   Open the Analytics & Search Console card

   From your Dashboard, select the domain and scroll to the Analytics & Search Console section.

2. 2

   Click 'Connect Search Console'

   If you've already connected GA4 with the same Google account, GSC may auto-link. Otherwise you'll go through Google's OAuth flow with a read-only Search Console scope.

   Tip: GA4 and GSC are independent — connect both for the richest insights. Each uses its own read-only scope.
3. 3

   Pick the matching property

   Searchlight lists every GSC property you can access. Pick the one that matches your domain. Use the URL-prefix or Domain property type — whichever you have verified.

4. 4

   Wait for the first sync

   GSC data is delayed by 1–3 days. The first sync typically completes within a minute, but data freshness reflects what Google has published.

   Pro tip: If your site is new or has low traffic, expect sparse data. AI Discovery Potential needs at least a few weeks of impressions to surface meaningful patterns.

What you unlock

An informational query analysis that ranks queries by AI citation potential, click-to-visit quality merge (GSC clicks combined with GA4 engagement), and a Search Quality view that highlights queries where you rank but don't convert visits.

Troubleshooting

'Property not found' usually means the domain in Searchlight doesn't match the verified GSC property. Re-check the protocol (https vs http) and www vs apex. If you recently verified the property, wait a few hours before connecting.