Google Search Console has launched a long-requested feature, the addition of tracking multiple properties at once for Search Analytics data. This means if you have sites spread across multiple properties, such as https and non-https URLs, subdomains or country-specific domains for the same brand, you can now view these together as aggregated data.
Verified Users
You need to be the verified user for every site you list in a set, otherwise the entire set will fail. This is obviously for security, but it will impact the entire set if you or a site becomes unverified.
However, if you become unverified for any reason, data will continue for the set and will be viewable once verified again.
Supports Restricted View
This is a great feature, since many site owners will add employees, contractors or auditors with a restricted view. This prevents site owners from having to give up more control than they’d prefer. But it also means that if you aren’t a full owner, you can still take advantage of the sets option.
Sets Aren’t Shareable
You cannot currently share a set with someone else. So anyone else would need to create their own version of the set. This does make sense since the other person may not be verified for every property in a set.
Only Search Analytics
Unfortunately, this only covers Search Analytics, so you can’t view manual actions across properties, or other tools/alerts such as crawl errors. For that you would still need to view individual properties. But this is a huge step towards possibly getting that in the future.
Sets support some, but not all of, the reports and tools available to other property types.
Aggregate Only
Property sets can only view the data in aggregate form. If you want to view any of the properties individually, you will need to view it in the regular property view.
200 Property Limit
You can only add up to 200 properties into a property set at this time.
Available?
It is rolling out to users right now. From the Google Search Console property homepage, click “Create a set” to get started. You can then add properties from the verified property list in your account.
This is a great addition to Google Search Console and should help those working with sites spanning many properties in Search Console. Being able to see aggregate data without having to check each individual site will definitely save time.
Jennifer Slegg
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