How to Import Google Search Console Data for Free with API Connector

Unlock SEO Insights: How to Import Google Search Console Data for Free with API Connector

Imagine if you could harness the power of your Google Search Console (GSC) data without juggling spreadsheets or paying for expensive tools. What if this insight was just a few clicks away, empowering you to uncover SEO trends, track performance, and make data-driven decisions — all for free?

The Challenge: Making Google Search Console (GSC) Data Work for You

For many SEO professionals and marketers, accessing Google Search Console data isn’t always straightforward.

Sure, you can export reports directly from GSC, but the process is manual, time-consuming, and doesn’t allow for seamless data analysis.

Paid tools offer advanced integrations, but not every business has the budget to invest in them. The result? Limited insights, wasted time, and missed opportunities.

The Solution: API Connector — Your Bridge to Better Data

Enter API Connector, a powerful Google Sheets add-on that bridges the gap between your data and actionable insights. With API Connector, you can import Google Search Console data directly into Google Sheets — without writing code or breaking the bank. Best of all? It’s easy to set up and completely free.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up API Connector

1. Installation and Initial Setup

1. Open Google Sheets and navigate to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons

2. Search for “API Connector” and click Install

It’s in the Google Workspace Marketplace.

https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/api_connector/95804724197

4. Once installed, you’ll find API Connector under Extensions > API Connector > Open sidebar

2. Connecting to Google Search Console

1. In the API Connector sidebar, click “Create new request”

2. Select “Google Search Console” from the OAuth connections list

3. Grant necessary permissions when prompted

4. Choose your website property from the dropdown menu

Note: If you don’t see any sites in the list, you may have to restart the connection.

If you switch API’s or are setting it up for the first time, it may need to refresh the connection to display.

Click the icon to refresh the list.

3. Configuring Your First Data Pull

There may be situations you’ll want to pull data differently. For this exercise, just leave everything default, except for dimensions choose (Query, Page, Date) during configuration. (See image below)

Basic Configuration

• Select your date range (last 28 days is recommended for starting)
• Choose dimensions (e.g., query, page, date) (See image below)
• Blue (Start Date for report)
• Red (End Date for report)
• Yellow (Query, Page, Date)
• Set metrics (clicks, impressions, CTR, position)
• Configure filters if needed

Where To Send The Data and How

If you have an API with a database storage hooked up, you can send the data there for storage. Otherwise, you’ll want to store it in Google Sheets until you’re ready to scale your analytics infrastructure.

1. If you’re importing the data right into the spreadsheet, click the option to the right “Set Current” and the cell range value can be input in the box below it.

Advanced Settings

• Row limit: Set to 25,000 for comprehensive data
• Dimensions limit: Up to 5 dimensions per request
• Data freshness: Usually 2–3 days behind real-time

Making the Most of Your GSC Data

Essential Reports to Create

1. Query Performance Analysis

• Track top-performing keywords
• Identify low-hanging fruit (positions 11–20)
• Monitor featured snippet opportunities

2. Page Performance Tracking

• Analyze top-performing pages
• Identify underperforming content
• Track new content performance

3. Device-Specific Insights

• Compare mobile vs. desktop performance
• Identify device-specific optimization opportunities
• Track Core Web Vitals impact

Creating Automated Dashboards

Set up automated refreshes to keep your data current:

1. Click “Schedule” in API Connector
2. Choose your refresh frequency (daily/weekly/monthly)
3. Set up email notifications for successful/failed runs

Pro Tips for Power Users

Data Blending Techniques

• Combine GSC data with Analytics data
• Merge with custom tracking spreadsheets
• Create multi-property views

Custom Formulas

=QUERY(data!A:E, “SELECT A,B,C WHERE D > 100 ORDER BY B DESC”)

Automated Alerts

• Set up conditional formatting for quick insights
• Create custom alerts for significant changes
• Automate weekly performance summaries

Common Troubleshooting Tips

Data Limits

• Use date chunking for large datasets
• Implement filters to focus on relevant data
• Optimize query structure

API Errors

• Check authentication status
• Verify property permissions
• Monitor API quotas

Data Accuracy

• Cross-reference with GSC interface
• Account for data sampling
• Understand date attribution

Best Practices for Ongoing Success

1. Data Organization

• Use clear sheet naming conventions
• Document your setup and processes
• Create backup copies of important dashboards

2. Regular Maintenance

• Review and update scheduled pulls
• Clean up unnecessary requests
• Monitor storage usage

3. Team Collaboration

• Share view-only access where needed
• Document processes for team members
• Set up shared dashboards

Conclusion

API Connector transforms how you work with Google Search Console data, making powerful insights accessible to everyone. By following this guide, you’re well-equipped to:

• Save hours on manual data collection
• Create automated, real-time dashboards
• Make data-driven SEO decisions
• Scale your reporting capabilities

Remember, the key to success with API Connector is starting simple and gradually building complexity as you become more comfortable with the tool.

Begin with  basic reports, then expand into more sophisticated analyses as your needs grow.

Next Steps

1. Install API Connector today
2. Set up your first GSC data pull
3. Create your basic dashboard
4. Schedule automated refreshes
5. Start making data-driven decisions
6. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify to hear deep dives into holistic SEO strategies and hear firsthand the secrets of holistic growth marketing.

Ready to take control of your data? Get started with API Connector and transform how you work with Google Search Console data.

Note: This guide was last updated January 2025. Features and interfaces may have changed since publication.

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