1. Home
  2. Metrics
  3. Search Console & Ahrefs Configuration

Tools configured correctly. Data interpreted honestly.

Google Search Console and Ahrefs are two of the most powerful SEO data sources available. But raw data without proper configuration and informed interpretation is just noise. vymetrics sets up these tools correctly, monitors them continuously, and turns the data into strategic decisions that move your rankings.

The tools

Two platforms that form the foundation of every SEO decision

Google Search Console and Ahrefs are the two most powerful SEO data sources available. Search Console provides direct data from Google about how your site performs in search -- which queries trigger your pages, how many impressions each query receives, your average position, and your click-through rate. No third-party tool can replicate this data because it comes from Google's own systems. Ahrefs provides the competitive intelligence Search Console does not -- your competitors' rankings, backlink profiles, content strategies, and domain authority.

Together, these two platforms give you a complete picture of your search performance and competitive position. But raw data without proper configuration and informed interpretation is just noise. Most businesses either have these tools set up incorrectly, are not using them at all, or are looking at the data without understanding what it means strategically. We configure both platforms with precision, monitor them continuously, and translate the data into strategic actions that produce measurable ranking improvements.

2
Core data platforms
24/7
Continuous monitoring
100%
Client-owned data
5+
Competitors tracked
Common configuration problems we fix
Incomplete domain verification missing www vs. non-www variants
Missing or outdated XML sitemaps
Properties never set up for subdomains or international versions
URL parameters causing duplicate content indexation
Manual actions or security issues never addressed
Google Search Console

Direct data from Google about how your site performs in search

Google Search Console is the only tool that provides data directly from Google's own index. It shows you which queries trigger your pages in search results, how many impressions each query receives, your average position, and your click-through rate. We configure Search Console with proper domain verification using the domain property method, which captures all subdomains, protocols, and URL variations under a single property. We submit and maintain your XML sitemap, ensuring it accurately reflects your site's current structure and is updated whenever pages are added, removed, or restructured.

URL inspection is set up for your highest-priority pages so we can monitor their indexation status, canonical selection, and any crawling issues. Coverage reports are monitored for indexation errors, warnings, and excluded pages that should be indexed but are not. The Performance report becomes the primary source of truth for organic search visibility -- showing exactly which queries drive traffic, which pages receive the most impressions, and where click-through rates can be improved with better title tags and meta descriptions.

Ahrefs

Ahrefs: competitive intelligence that shapes every strategic decision

Ahrefs provides the data that Search Console cannot -- visibility into your competitors' strategies. It is the most reliable tool for tracking keyword positions across multiple domains, monitoring backlink acquisition, analyzing content performance, and measuring domain authority over time. We configure Ahrefs projects for your domain and three to five key competitors. Rank tracking is set up for your complete target keyword list, updated daily, with alerts configured for significant position changes. This means we know within 24 hours if a ranking drops or a competitor makes a move.

Backlink monitoring tracks new and lost referring domains for both your site and your competitors. When a competitor acquires a high-value link, we see it and evaluate whether the same opportunity is available to you. When you lose a referring domain, we investigate why and determine if it needs to be replaced. Content Explorer and Site Audit features identify content gaps -- high-value topics your competitors rank for that you have not addressed -- and technical issues that may be limiting your crawlability or indexation. Every data point from Ahrefs is interpreted in the context of your competitive landscape and translated into actionable strategy.

What we track in Ahrefs
Daily keyword rank tracking for you and all competitors
Backlink profile: new and lost referring domains
Content gaps: keywords competitors rank for that you do not
Automated site audits catching technical issues before they affect rankings
Reports vs. interpretation
Report: your ranking dropped from position 3 to position 7
Interpretation: why it dropped and what the competitor did
Strategy: match their content investment and pursue the same citation sources
Beyond data

Interpretation, not just reporting

The difference between a report and a strategy is interpretation. Most SEO dashboards show you numbers -- impressions went up, rankings went down, you gained two backlinks. But numbers without context are just noise. They do not tell you why something changed or what to do about it. We interpret every data point in context. When a ranking changes, we investigate the cause -- was it an algorithm update, a competitor's content investment, a technical issue on your site, or a seasonal trend? The answer determines whether the right response is to wait, to fix something, or to invest in a new initiative.

Every report we deliver tells a story: what happened, why it happened, what it means for your strategy, and what we recommend doing next. You never receive a data dump with no context. You receive strategic intelligence that drives decisions. A report tells you your ranking dropped. Interpretation tells you why and what to do about it. This is the difference between knowing what happened and knowing what to do about it. We provide both, consistently, across every engagement.

Data ownership

Your data. Your accounts. Always.

Every tool we configure is set up on your accounts. Google Search Console is verified under your Google account. Ahrefs projects are created in your Ahrefs workspace. You have full, unrestricted access to every piece of raw data at any time. We interpret the data and use it to drive your strategy, but the data belongs to you. If you ever decide to part ways with vymetrics, your accounts, your data, and your configuration stay with you. There is no lock-in, no proprietary dashboard you lose access to, and no data held hostage.

This is a deliberate policy. We believe that data ownership is a fundamental right, not a negotiable perk. Your business generates the data. Your accounts store it. You should always have full access to it, regardless of your relationship with any agency. What you keep if you leave: your Google Search Console account with complete historical data, your Ahrefs projects with all tracked keywords and backlink history, all reports, analyses, and strategic documents we have produced, and your Pulse dashboard data and configuration. We do not hold data hostage. It is yours before, during, and after our engagement.

What you keep if you leave
Google Search Console account with complete historical data
Ahrefs projects with all keywords and backlink history
All reports, analyses, and strategic documents
Pulse dashboard data and configuration
Continuous Monitoring

What continuous monitoring catches

Ranking Drops

When a key ranking drops, we investigate immediately -- not at the next monthly report. Early detection means faster response and less traffic lost. We diagnose whether the cause is algorithmic, competitive, or technical and respond accordingly.

Indexation Issues

Pages that fall out of the index or fail to be indexed are caught within days, not months. Indexation problems left unaddressed can cost significant organic traffic and compound over time as more pages are affected.

Competitor Moves

New competitor content, link acquisitions, and ranking gains are flagged as they happen so we can evaluate the threat and respond proactively before the competitive shift becomes entrenched and harder to reverse.

Technical Regressions

Site speed degradation, Core Web Vitals failures, crawl errors, and broken links are detected through automated monitoring before they affect your rankings. Technical issues caught early are far easier and less costly to fix.

Get your SEO data working for you

Whether your tools need to be set up from scratch or your existing configuration needs a review, we'll make sure you're getting the full picture of your search performance -- and using it to make better decisions.

Free Visibility Audit

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Google Search Console and Ahrefs are configured on your accounts. You have full access to the raw data at any time. We interpret it and use it to drive strategy, but the data belongs to you.

We'll review your existing configuration to make sure it's properly verified, your sitemap is submitted and current, and you're not missing coverage on any properties or subdomains. Many existing setups have configuration issues that limit the data's usefulness.

Continuously. We monitor Search Console and Ahrefs on an ongoing basis — not just at reporting time. When something changes (a ranking drops, a competitor gains links, an indexation issue appears), we catch it and respond. You get regular reports, but the monitoring happens between reports too.