Topic: Search Console

The hosts of "How to Get Discovered" discuss the initial three weeks of a podcast discoverability experiment. Despite transcripts being indexed and Google beginning to crawl pages, the data shows only tiny, single-digit results, leading to slight disappointment for one host who expected a more dramatic, immediate impact. Access to Google Search Console, a higher-tier feature, is currently unavailable.

One host expresses a quiet intention to upgrade their Podherd tier, specifically to gain access to Google Search Console integration. This decision stems from the current inability to see detailed data for their three-week-old podcast discoverability experiment, highlighting the desire for deeper insights into how their content is performing in search results.

Google Search Console is a free tool that provides critical data for any domain owner, including which search queries lead to their pages, page click-through rates, average search positions, and pages appearing in results but not clicked. This data is invaluable for understanding discoverability and optimizing content. However, this tool is only accessible for domains a user can prove they control, meaning platform-hosted transcripts cannot leverage this data directly.

One of the hosts admits to setting up a personal podcast feed on PodHerd's starter tier, which offers Search Console integration. This move, described as "begrudging experimentation," aims to test the discoverability claims made throughout the season. The host plans to gather three months of data to determine if the strategies discussed, particularly regarding metrics and domain authority, prove effective.

Integrating a podcast's domain with Google Search Console is presented as a crucial step for discoverability. This free tool provides valuable data on search queries, ranking episodes, and keywords, allowing podcasters to track their performance and optimize their content. This level of insight is only available when the podcaster owns and verifies their domain.