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Summary

Google Search Console has introduced custom annotations in performance reports, allowing users to mark significant events such as website updates or algorithm changes. This feature, live now after initial testing in 2025, enables the addition of annotations directly on performance charts, providing context to data changes. Users can add up to 200 annotations per property, although they cannot edit these notes and annotations older than 500 days are automatically removed.
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Full Article (AI)

Trends and Impact 📈 In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Google's introduction of custom annotations in Search Console marks a significant shift for businesses leveraging SEO strategies. This feature empowers users to annotate performance reports, offering a powerful tool to track and contextualize key events such as coding changes, algorithm updates, and website bugs. As Google highlights, "Annotations in Search Console help you understand changes in your data by providing context on your charts." This capability is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a competitive edge in a data-driven market, where understanding and reacting to digital shifts can make or break success. Practical Steps 🛠️ Implementing custom annotations is straightforward, ensuring even those new to the feature can easily adapt. Begin by opening the Performance report in Search Console, then right-click on the chart for the specific date you wish to annotate. Use the date picker to select your desired date, type your note (up to 120 characters), and click 'Add.' With the ability to add up to 200 annotations per property, businesses can maintain a detailed log of changes and events. To remove an annotation, simply click the marker on the chart, select 'DELETE' in the pop-up window, and confirm. However, keep in mind that annotations older than 500 days are automatically deleted, so regular updates are essential. Competitive Advantages 🚀 The strategic use of annotations offers a competitive advantage by facilitating a deeper understanding of how various factors impact website performance. By documenting infrastructure changes, SEO efforts, content shifts, and external events, businesses can correlate these with performance data to inform future strategies. This foresight allows companies to proactively respond to market trends and consumer behavior, ultimately driving growth and innovation. Moreover, as annotations are visible to all with access to the property, they foster transparency and collaboration within teams, enhancing coordinated efforts towards shared business goals.
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Business Impact

For European SMBs, this feature is crucial as it allows for better tracking and understanding of website performance in relation to key events. With this tool, businesses can maintain a historical record of changes and their impacts, aiding in strategic decision-making.
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Interesting Facts

  • Feature tested since May 2025.
  • Annotations cannot be edited.
  • Visible to anyone with property access.
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Business Opportunities

SMBs can leverage this feature to align marketing campaigns with site performance and track the impact of SEO strategies. It opens opportunities for data-driven insights and more effective resource allocation.
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LAZYSOFT Recommendations

LAZYSOFT recommends European SMBs to integrate these annotations into their regular performance analysis routines. Automating the annotation process where possible could save time and ensure consistent data insights.