start with the data
Connect Google Search Console to PilotDeck
Authorise Google Search Console so PilotDeck can read rankings and clicks. The only required connection.
What connecting Search Console does#
Google Search Console is the only connection PilotDeck requires. It is where Google reports what your site already ranks for, so PilotDeck uses it to plan what to write next. Without it, the dashboard shows no score, no traffic and no reports. The example below uses a PilotDeck site named pilotdeck-testwebsite on example.com.
Read-only
PilotDeck asks Google for read-only access. It never changes anything in your Search Console.
Powers the reports
Traffic, ranking and index-coverage reporting all come from this one connection, including clicks, impressions and which pages Google has indexed.
One sign-in
You sign in to Google once and allow access. PilotDeck never shows you the Google credentials it stores, and your browser never receives them.
Before you start#
| You need | Details |
|---|---|
| Your site in Search Console | example.com must already be a property in Search Console, either a Domain property or a URL-prefix property. PilotDeck can only read properties that exist there. It does not create them. |
| A Google account with access | The account you sign in with must have access to that property. Full or Owner access is best (see Access level). Restricted access still works for traffic and rankings. |
| A PilotDeck login that can change integrations | Owner, Developer and Owner-admin roles can connect, reconnect and disconnect. The Reviewer role does not see the Search Console card at all. |
| The site added in PilotDeck | Select the right site in the site switcher first. With no site, the card reads "Add a website first, then connect Search Console." |
Overview#
- 1Open Settings > Integrations in PilotDeckYou
- 2Click Connect Search Console to go to GoogleYou
- 3Choose your Google account and allow read-only accessYou
- 4Return to PilotDeck. PilotDeck lists your properties and keeps only those that cover this sitePilotDeck
- 5Choose a property if there is more than oneYou
- 6Check the card shows Connected and the propertyVerify
Make sure the correct site is selected in the site switcher (here, pilotdeck-testwebsite). Go to Settings > Integrations. Under Feeds the engine you see the Google Search Console card. Its subtitle reads "Read-only. Powers traffic, ranking, and index-coverage reporting."
Until you connect, the sidebar shows Search Console not connected with a Connect button, and the dashboard shows a matching banner with Connect Search Console. Either one starts the same flow as the card, but the card is where you see every state.
On the card, click Connect Search Console. The button changes to "Opening Google..." and the whole browser tab moves to Google. It does not open a pop-up, so allow the page to leave.
Google shows its account chooser and then its consent screen, every time you connect. Pick the account that has access to example.com in Search Console.
PilotDeck asks for one permission only: view your Search Console data (the webmasters.readonly scope). Leave it ticked. If you untick it, Google returns without the permission and PilotDeck shows "Google did not receive the Search Console permission. Connect again and allow access to Search Console."
Click Allow or Continue on Google's screen. Google sends you back to PilotDeck.
Google access belongs to an account, and one account can hold many properties. PilotDeck therefore lists the account's properties and keeps only those that cover your site's domain. A leading www. is ignored, and a Domain property for a parent domain counts as covering a subdomain site.
- Exactly one match: PilotDeck uses it automatically and you skip the next step.
- More than one match: the card shows Finish setup and asks you to choose (next step).
- No match: nothing is saved, and the card shows an explanation (see Troubleshooting).
If the card says "Both of these Search Console properties cover example.com. Choose which one to read data from.", select one radio button and click Use this property. Each option shows an access-level badge. The choice is explained in Domain or URL-prefix property.
The list is fetched from Google each time, so it always reflects the account's current access. Use a different Google account restarts the Google sign-in. Cancel removes the unfinished connection.
The card turns green with a Connected badge and shows three rows:
- Property: exactly as Google names it, for example
sc-domain:example.comorhttps://example.com/. - Access level: your permission level on that property.
- Data through: when PilotDeck last synced. It reads "Not synced yet" right after you connect. That is not an error, it means the first sync has not run.
Domain or URL-prefix property#
Search Console offers two kinds of property, and PilotDeck keeps the exact name Google gives it. When both exist for your site, you choose.
| Property | Looks like | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Domain property | sc-domain:example.com | Combines http, https and every subdomain. Choose this for the widest view of your site. |
| URL-prefix property | https://example.com/ | Covers only URLs that start with that exact prefix. |
PilotDeck only offers properties for your own site's domain, so you cannot pick a property that belongs to another site.
Access level#
Traffic and ranking data work at every access level. Index coverage needs Google to allow URL inspection, which it refuses for the restricted-user level. In that case the card shows a warning: "This account has restricted access to the property, so Google will not allow URL inspection. Performance data still works, but index coverage cannot be reported. Ask for Full or Owner access in Search Console." The same warning appears when you choose the property.
Card states#
| Badge or message | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connected | A property is set and nothing is known to be wrong. | Nothing. Check Data through now and then. |
| Finish setup | Google access is granted but no property is chosen yet. No data flows. | Choose a property (step 5). |
| Reconnect needed | "Google has revoked or expired this connection, so syncing has stopped. Reconnect to resume - your property choice is kept." | Click Reconnect Search Console and confirm. Google opens in the same tab. |
| Sync failing | "Last sync failed" with the reason. PilotDeck retries by itself. | Nothing, unless it keeps happening. |
| Disabled | On the Search tab: "Search Console is switched off for this site." | Contact support to turn it back on. There is no button for this. |
Reconnecting and disconnecting#
On a connected card, Reconnect asks you to confirm ("This opens Google in this tab to re-authorize access. Your property choice is kept."), then repeats the Google sign-in. Use it to switch Google accounts or renew access.
Disconnect asks you to confirm, and then syncing stops right away. Traffic, ranking and index-coverage reporting stop updating until you reconnect. Data that was already synced is kept. To connect again you repeat steps 2 to 5. To also remove Google's side of the permission, review third-party access in your Google account settings.
Troubleshooting#
"The Google account you connected does not have access to example.com in Search Console"
You signed in with an account that holds other properties but not this site. The card lists some of what that account can see. Click Try a different Google account and choose the account that owns example.com. Nothing was saved, so there is nothing to clean up.
"The Google account you connected has no Search Console properties"
The account has no properties at all. Either add example.com in Search Console first, or connect with a different Google account. If this appears after choosing, the connection is removed and the button reads Connect a different Google account.
"Google did not receive the Search Console permission"
The permission was unticked on Google's consent screen. Connect again and leave the Search Console permission ticked.
"Google did not finish connecting"
Google came back without finishing the sign-in. Start the connection again from the card.
The property list fails with a reconnect button
The short Google session behind the list has expired. Click Reconnect Google and sign in again. Other failures show Try again, which reloads the list.
"Could not reach Google."
PilotDeck could not contact Google. Click Try again. If it persists, check Google's status and then reconnect.
Data through says Not synced yet
No sync has finished since you connected. Dashboard numbers stay empty until it does, so check back later.
Index coverage is empty
Your Google account probably has restricted access. Ask for Full or Owner access in Search Console, then reconnect.
I cannot see the card or the buttons are disabled
Your role cannot change this integration. The Reviewer role does not see the card. Where a button is shown but disabled, hovering it says your role can't reconnect or disconnect Search Console. Ask an Owner.