If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at a Search Console traffic dip, frantically trying to remember, “Wait, did we launch that new header template before or after the Core Update?”—I have fantastic news for you.

Google has finally heard our collective plea and rolled out the ability to add annotations directly into the Search Console Performance Reports!

This is a game-changer. It means no more mismatched spreadsheets, no more relying on memory, and no more guessing why your impressions spiked. You can literally drop a sticky note right onto the graph.

Quick Context: When Did This Happen?

Google officially released this feature to everyone on Monday, November 17, 2025.

It had been in testing for months, so if you’ve seen screenshots floating around, they’re real! This addition immediately fills a massive gap in search analysis, giving us a single, reliable timeline for all our data.

Why Are Annotations Such a Big Deal? (The End of Guesswork!)

The core value is context. Your Performance Report shows the what (clicks and impressions changed), but annotations give you the why (we launched a new schema, or Google rolled out an update).

  • ⚡ Pinpoint the Cause: Now, when traffic zaps (or surges!), you can instantly see if it aligns with the moment you launched a new campaign, fixed a huge bug, or deployed a site migration.
  • 🤝 Shared Team History: Annotations are visible to everyone with access to the GSC property. It’s an automatic, shared change log for your team, your boss, or your client. Accountability just got easier!
  • 📈 Clear A/B Testing: You can perfectly document the launch and end dates of any major SEO test, allowing you to quickly isolate the test’s true impact from everything else happening online.

Here Is How to Drop Your First Note in GSC

The process is super intuitive. Google designed it to be quick, which is exactly what we need when tracking a fast-moving update!

Step 1: Head to the Performance Report

  1. Log into your Google Search Console property.
  2. Find the Performance report (under the “Index” section).
  3. Make sure your date range covers the day you need to mark.

Step 2: Add the Annotation

You can typically do this in one of two fast ways:

  • The Power User Move: Right-click directly on the chart line or the date line at the bottom. A quick option to “Add annotation” should pop up.
  • The Traditional Way: Look near your date picker for the “Add Annotation” link.

Step 3: Write Your Note and Save

A simple box will appear. Keep your notes brief, clear, and professional!

  • Date: Select the specific date of the event (e.g., when the code went live).
  • Note: Type your explanation. You have a 120-character limit, so use a clear shorthand! (e.g., [TECH] Fixed canonical tag issue site-wide or [GOOGLE] Nov 17 Core Update Started)
  • Click Add.

A Quick Heads-Up: Annotations are shared with all property users, you can’t edit them (only delete and re-create them), and they auto-delete after 500 days. Use simple, clear language!

Step 4: See the Magic

You’ll now see a small marker appear on the graph for that date. Just hover over the marker to instantly read your note. You can now tell the story of your search performance without ever leaving the tool!

Pro Tip: What Should You Be Annotating?

Don’t just track big SEO changes—track anything that impacts your business or site structure:

  • Google Algorithm Updates: Don’t rely on outside sources; mark the days Google officially announces a rollout (Core Updates, Spam Updates, etc.).
  • Major Infrastructure Changes: Any time you migrate CMS, change domains, or deploy a site-wide template update.
  • Content Strategy Shifts: When you push a major content audit, consolidate pages, or start focusing content on a new user intent.
  • External Factors: Big holidays, major promotions, or seasonality changes that always affect your traffic.

This simple feature is going to save us all countless hours of investigation. Go give it a shot and start building the historical record your data deserves!