How to Find Keywords in Search Console

Keyword tools estimate. Search Console shows what people actually searched before they saw your site. Queries where you appear on page two, or get many impressions but few clicks, are some of the cheapest wins you have. This guide shows how to find them with filters, and what to do with each one.

Real query data
Position filter
Regex grouping
Page update plan

queriessorted by impressions

query                imp   pos
noindex pdf          900  11.2
trailing slash seo   640  14.8
redirect chain fix   410   9.6

filter: position > 7 and < 21

// quick answer
Open Performance, Search results, enable Impressions and Position, open the Queries tab, sort by impressions and look at queries where your average position is roughly between 8 and 20. Google’s help page says queries are matched exactly without regard to case and that regular expressions can group similar queries. Then map each query to the page that should answer it and improve that page, or write a new one if no page fits.

Terms explained

Query: the words someone typed into Google.
Impression: your page appeared in results for that query.
Average position: for a table row, the average position of that query or page.
Striking distance: an informal name for queries ranking just below the first page (my own term).

Why Search Console data helps

Google’s help page explains that the Queries tab groups data by the search terms users entered and lets you sort by clicks, CTR or impressions. Because it only lists queries where your site appeared, it shows real demand you already partly capture. Keyword tools show potential; Search Console shows proven impressions. Use both: see keyword research for beginners.

Four kinds of query worth finding

Type	Signal	Action (my own)
Almost page one	Position 8 to 20, decent impressions	Strengthen the page for that query
Low CTR	High impressions, few clicks	Improve title and snippet
New topic	Impressions with no matching page	Write a dedicated post
Long-tail variants	Many small questions	Add sections or an FAQ

See long-tail keywords for how small queries add up.

Filtering by position

The report offers metrics and filters at the top; enable the Position metric, then sort or filter the table. The exact filter options in the interface can change, so use the position column and sort by impressions if a position filter is not offered. A query with 900 impressions at position 11 is usually more interesting than one with 20 impressions at position 3 (my own rule of thumb). Google advises treating position alongside clicks and impressions rather than alone.

Grouping queries with regex

Google’s page says regular expressions can group similar queries. For example, a filter for queries matching how|what|why shows question-style searches. Treat regex filters as an exploration tool, and write down the pattern you used so you can repeat it.

Step by step: from queries to actions

open

Open Performance

Search results, last 3 months or longer.

Performance

metrics

Turn on all four metrics

Clicks, impressions, CTR and position.

metrics

sort

Sort by impressions

Open Queries and scan the top 100.

Queries

pick

Pick position 8 to 20

Copy those queries into a sheet with impressions and position.

spreadsheet

map

Find the page per query

Click the query, then the Pages tab, to see which URL appears.

Pages

improve

Update the page

Answer the query directly, improve the title, add a section, add internal links.

internal links

measure

Recheck in 4 to 8 weeks

Compare impressions, clicks and position before and after.

Compare

Examples (illustrative)

Query	Action
“noindex pdf” at position 11	Add a clear answer near the top of the matching page
“trailing slash” with 5 percent CTR	Rewrite title
“seo for dentists” with no page	Decide if it fits your topics; write a post
Two pages for one query	Check cannibalization

Notes for WordPress sites

Match each query to a single best post; avoid creating near-duplicates.
Use your SEO plugin’s focus keyphrase only after deciding which query the page targets; see choosing a focus keyword.
Add internal links from related posts using the query wording as natural anchor text.
Do not stuff the query into the page; answer it clearly.
Track which posts you updated and when.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause (my own diagnosis)	Action
Few queries listed	New or small site	Wait and publish more
Position looks odd	Average across many results	Check the live result too
Query matches wrong page	Weak page targeting	Strengthen the right page and link to it
No change after update	Not recrawled or competitors stronger	Request recrawl; improve depth

Checklist

Data

3 to 16 months range
All four metrics
Sorted by impressions
Exported to sheet

Select

Position 8 to 20
Meaningful impressions
Relevant to your site
One page per query

Improve

Answer the query
Better title
Add internal links
New post if no match

Measure

Date your edits
Recheck weeks later
Compare ranges
Repeat monthly

What Google’s page does not say

Google’s help pages describe the Queries tab, sorting, exact matching and regular expressions. They do not define a “striking distance” range, give position thresholds or promise improvements from page updates. The 8 to 20 range, the workflow and the examples are my own practice and a starting point, not a Google rule.

Key terms

Impression: One appearance in results.
CTR: Clicks divided by impressions.
Regex: Pattern used to match many queries.
Long tail: Specific, lower-volume queries.

Common mistakes

mistake 1

Chasing tiny impressions

Little upside.

Sort by impressions.

mistake 2

Stuffing the query

Reads badly.

Answer clearly.

mistake 3

Creating duplicate posts

Cannibalization.

Improve one page.

mistake 4

Judging by position alone

Needs context.

Use impressions too.

mistake 5

Never logging edits

Cannot measure.

Date every change.

mistake 6

Ignoring intent

Wrong content type.

Check the results page.

faq

Search Console keyword questions

Can Search Console replace a keyword tool?

No. It only shows queries where your site already appeared. Use both.

What position range should I target?

Positions roughly 8 to 20 are a useful starting range (my own suggestion).

Are queries matched exactly?

Google’s page says queries are matched exactly, without regard to case.

Can I group similar queries?

Yes, with regular expressions.

Should I write a new post per query?

Only if no existing page fits the intent.

How long before updates show?

Often weeks; recheck after 4 to 8.

Why is my position a decimal?

Table rows show an average position.

Do I need many impressions?

Enough to be meaningful; tiny numbers are noisy.

sources

Query tab, matching, regex and metric definitions follow these pages. The position range, workflow, examples and troubleshooting are my own practice.