Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4): What’s the Real Difference?

Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4) is not a battle; rather, it’s a strategic partnership.

GSC is built for SEO monitoring, while GA4 is built for user behaviour insights. Combining both Google tools leads to better decision-making and higher performance.

So next time you come across a confused brand or marketer, show them this blog and clear their Google Analytics vs Google Search Console dilemma.

Key Takeaways

> Use Google Search Console (GSC) for understanding how your site appears in Google Search and to fix indexing issues.

> Use Google Analytics (GA4) for analyzing what users do once they land on your website.

> Together, GSC and GA4 offer end-to-end tracking from search visibility to user conversion.

> But before that you must know GA4 vs Google Search Console to balance their use.

Table of Contents

1. A few facts about Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4)
2. Overview: Google Analytics and Search Console

⤷ What is Google Search Console (GSC)?

⤷ What can be done with GSC? 

⤷ What is Google Analytics? 

⤷ What can be done via GA4?

3. What are the common offerings of GSC and GA4?
4. Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4): Which is Better?

⤷ Which should be used and when?

⤷ Which one should be used first for a new website?

5. How to use Google Search Console & Google Analytics together?
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

In today’s data-driven digital world, knowing how your website performs is just as important as creating good content.

Two of the most powerful tools available for marketers, SEO professionals, and web developers are Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4).

While both offer insights, they serve different purposes.

This blog breaks down the difference between Google Analytics and Google Search Console, explains their core functions, and helps you decide which one (or both) to use for your website goals.

A few facts about Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4)

• Google Search Console, or GSC, is free of cost.

• GSC can increase your organic traffic by 28%.

• GSC can store data of up to 16 months, and a business can see 48-hour-old data via it.

• Google Analytics (GA4) is being used by 55.49% (37.9 million) of the websites across the globe.

• 71% of the small businesses (less than 50 employees) use GA4 to take the right decisions.

Overview: Google Analytics and Search Console

Let us first get to know our two contenders before they enter the ring and compete for your attention.

What is Google Search Console (GSC)?

Google Search Console is a free web tool by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site’s presence in Google Search results.

It gives valuable SEO-focused data.

Tidbits

• GSC was called Google Webmaster Tools till the 20th May 2015.

• It offers 1,000 attributes related to organic traffic.

• It gives the actual number of the clicks from organic searches or organic traffic.

• It can store up to 1000 URLs.

What can be done with GSC?

Wondering what can be done via GSC, we got you.

• Track Google crawling and indexing
• Remove outdated URLs
• Improve website visibility
• Monitor search performance
• Identify mobile usability and security issues

What is Google Analytics?

Google Analytics (GA4) is the next-gen analytics platform that tracks and reports website traffic as well as user interactions in real-time.

It’s much more focused on user engagement and goal tracking.

Tidbits

• Europe follows GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), with which GA4 is non-compliant.

• Analytics as a Service market is becoming big, and thus GA4 is expected to be valued at USD 68.9 million in 2028.

• Most companies that are leveraging GA4 have 1-10 employees.

What can be done via GA4?

We know your curiosity is hyped, and we are here to satisfy it.

• Track user behaviour like sessions, time on site, and bounce rate.
• Set up custom dashboards and conversion tracking
• Monitor cross-device journeys and funnel insights

Feel like a GSC and GA4 champ yet? If not, keep reading…

What are the common offerings of GSC and GA4?

Despite different functions, they both provide:

• Web Traffic Data
• URL Performance
• Search Queries
• Geographic & Device Data
• Traffic Sources

This is where people often get confused when comparing Google Analytics vs Search Console.

Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4): Which is Better?

It is time for the fight you have been waiting for.

Attributes	Google Search Console	Google Analytics (GA4)
Purpose	Tracks the website’s performance in search	Tracks user behaviour and engagement
Data Sources	Google Search Engine	Varied sources like cookies, tracking code (on target website) and search engines.
Traffic Sources	Organic Search only	Referral traffic, direct traffic, paid ads, social media, organic search and emailers.
User behaviour tracking	Detailed tracking not available; it only covers CTR, impressions, clicks, and search position.	A vast array of user tracking made possible via sessions, time spent on page, pageviews, conversion tracking and more.
Goal Tracking	Not possible	Fully customizable goals
Audience Insights	Basic Demographics	Detailed demographics, tech used, interests and geographical tracking help with in-depth audience insights.
Third-party Integrations	Link to GA4	Linkable to Google Data Studio, Google Ads and more.
Verification	Multiple verification options	Limited verification options
Clicks vs Sessions	Focuses on Individual Clicks	Focuses on Sessions (30 mins)
Error Monitoring & Reporting	Crawl, Index, Mobile-friendliness, & Security issues	Engagement, Bounce, Click and Heatmap issues
Time Zone	Default as per the time zone of your Google Account	Custom Time zones are allowed.

Google Search Console vs Google Analytics (GA4): 11 differences

It is evident from the above tabular comparison that GSC is great for organic traffic tracking but fails to shine in user experience (UX) tracking.

For UX, one needs to utilize GA4.

Which should be used and when?

This question must be popping up (left & right) in your brains, and we are here to answer it.

Using GA4 vs GSC in 2025

Use Google Search Console

• When your goal is SEO performance tracking.
• When you need indexing, crawling, or mobile usability insights.
• For keyword and search query data

Use Google Analytics 4

• When you want to optimize user journey and engagement.
• When conversion tracking and behaviour analysis are critical.
• For traffic segmentation and source-level insights.

Which one should be used first for a new website?

Always start with Google Search Console, then add GA4.

Why? Because you need to get indexed and discoverable first. Then you optimize engagement and conversions later.

With these queries answered, we are sure you will want to know how to implement them.

How to use Google Search Console & Google Analytics together?

Be a smart business and use them both together so that your brand can grow organically.

Setting up GSC and GA4

Here are the 11 steps to awesome organic traffic tracking.

1. Link Google Search Console and GA4
2. Analyze organic search intent through search queries
3. Track Click-Through Rates (CTR)
4. Identify high-intent pages
5. Set up conversion goals in GA4
6. Monitor bounce rates
7. Leverage demographic insights
8. Review acquisition channels regularly
9. Focus on mobile optimization
10. Monitor site performance continuously
11. Adapt with search trends and analytics feedback

Sounds simple, right? Well, it is for an SEO expert who knows how to use AI tools.

Or in other words, a digital marketing partner that is AI-ready.

Conclusion

So, who wins in the Google Search Console vs Analytics (GA4) battle?

You win when you use them together.

One tells you how people find you. The other tells you what they do when they find you.

If you’re just starting out, set up Google Search Console first. Once traffic starts flowing, connect GA4 to optimize user behaviour and conversions.

Always remember data isn’t power. Smart use of data is.

Wondering how to smartly use your website’s data? By engaging an AI-ready digital marketing agency… duh

Wildnet Technologies is one of the top digital marketing companies in India that also caters AI-powered digital marketing services.

Need a contractual marketer? We got that too…

If you wish to know more,

> Zero Click Content in 2025: Win Customers Without Relying on Clicks 

> Understanding the Difference Between UA and GA4

> Wildnet’s Digital Glossary

> Wildnet’s Digital Yum (our weekly newsletter from the thought leadership’s desk about the coolest in the digital world)

Connect with us now at info@wildnettechnologies.com and get the best SEO analytics.

FAQs

FAQ 1: What is the difference between Google Search Console and Google Analytics?

Ans: GSC focuses on search performance; GA4 tracks user behaviour.

Think of it as visibility vs engagement and choose as per your business goals.

FAQ 2: Can I use both GA4 and GSC together?

Ans: Yes, and you should. Link them for better organic traffic and user journey analysis.

Because with two of them working together for a brand, both organic visibility and user engagement will be delivered.

FAQ 3: Which is better for SEO?

Ans: Google Search Console is better for SEO because it shows queries, impressions, and indexing status.

However, since Google has made the user experience vital, GA4 has gained momentum in SEO services.

FAQ 4: Which is better for conversion tracking?

Ans: Google Analytics (GA4) is your best bet for tracking conversions, sessions, and custom events.

You can use SXO to get SEO + UX + CRO (conversion rate optimization). 

FAQ 5: Does GA4 show search keywords?

Ans: Not directly. You will have to use Google Search Console for keyword data.

While GA4 can help you with users’ reactions to those keywords.