Google has officially introduced Custom Annotations for use in Google Search Console. This long-awaited feature brings new clarity to performance reporting. For marketers, business owners, and SEO professionals, this update is more than just a convenience. It’s a powerful step toward understanding how real-world actions impact your search visibility.
What Are Custom Annotations?
Custom Annotations allow you to add your own notes directly onto your Search Console performance charts. Think of it as a built-in journal for your website’s SEO history. Instead of guessing when something changed by searching through old emails and project notes, you now have a simple, visual way to mark important dates.
Just right-click on your performance chart, click “Add annotation,” and enter up to 120 characters describing what happened on that specific date. These notes appear instantly on your graphs, creating a clear timeline of optimizations, issues, and external events.
Because everyone with property access can view annotations, Google recommends avoiding sensitive or personal information. It’s best to stick to context that’s helpful and professional.
Why This Update Matters
In SEO, timing is everything. Search visibility fluctuates based on hundreds of factors, but the context behind those fluctuations is often lost unless you track it manually. Google’s new annotation feature bridges that gap by connecting actions with outcomes.
With annotations, you can finally see why a spike or dip in performance happened, and not just when it happened.
When to Use Custom Annotations
Whether you manage your SEO in-house, or work with an agency like Jazel, creating a consistent annotation habit can transform your reporting accuracy. Here are some of the most valuable use cases:
1. Website or Infrastructure Changes
- Launching a new site design
- Updating your CMS
- Migrating domains
- Overhauling page structure
These updates often affect rankings and traffic. Annotations help you understand whether the impact was positive or if follow-up adjustments are needed.
2. SEO Improvements
- Installing a new SEO plugin
- Implementing structured data
- Adding optimized content
- Starting a partnership with an SEO agency
These entries help trace which initiatives delivered measurable improvements.
3. Content Strategy Updates
- Rewriting pages for new user intent
- Adding FAQs
- Reorganizing site navigation
- Publishing large content batches (such as new product pages)
Tracking these changes helps you evaluate which content moves the needle.
4. External or Seasonal Factors
- Holidays and promotional campaigns
- Industry events
- Local disruptions
- PR moments or brand recognition spikes
These contextual notes help separate SEO-related changes from broader market trends.
How Custom Annotations Support Better Decision-Making
Over time, annotations help you build a searchable, visual history of your SEO evolution. Instead of trying to reverse-engineer your own data, you get straightforward clarity:
- Why did rankings rise after June?
- What caused that drop in impressions?
- Did that new plugin actually help?
- Did our content refresh improve CTR?
Now, you can answer these questions in seconds.
Ready to Get More From Your Search Data?
Custom Annotations are a powerful new tool, but they’re even more effective when paired with a strong strategy.
At Jazel, we help businesses turn raw data into smart decisions. We are here to help your business with:
- High-performing, SEO-optimized websites
- Responsive, ongoing website support
- Data-driven, expert-led SEO strategy
If you want clearer insights, improved local search visibility, and a website built for long-term success, we’re here to help. Schedule a quick demo with Jazel today and turn your search data into real results.