Google changes the way it measures impressions and clicks for job listings

Google this month announced a significant update to its Search Console that will enhance the way it measures impressions and clicks for job listings and detail pages. The new methodology, which went into effect on January 9th, 2024, aims to provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of job search data.

The previous approach to tracking job search metrics in Search Console was somewhat limited in its scope. It primarily considered job listings that appeared directly within Google Search results. However, Google has recently introduced a number of new features that allow job seekers to discover and engage with job postings beyond standard search results. These include the ability to filter and browse jobs through Google Search and to view job detail pages directly from Google Search.

To reflect this expanded landscape of job search experiences, Search Console has adopted a new approach to measuring impressions and clicks. This new methodology takes into account all job listings and detail pages that are surfaced through Google Search, regardless of whether they appear directly within search results or through other means.

Job listings and detail pages are two key elements of the Google Search job experience. Job listings are brief summaries of job openings that appear in search results, typically formatted as snippets with key information such as title, company, location, and salary range. Detail pages, on the other hand, provide more comprehensive information about a specific job opening, including a detailed description of the role, qualifications required, and application instructions.

If you have a website with job listings, you may notice a temporary increase in impressions and clicks for your job pages in Search Console. This is due to the new methodology now capturing impressions and clicks for job listings that were previously not tracked. However, it is important to note that this increase does not reflect actual growth in traffic to your job pages. Rather, it simply reflects a more accurate representation of the overall job search experience in Google Search.

It is worthwhile to monitor your job search data in Search Console in the coming weeks to ensure that the new methodology is accurately reflecting the performance of your job listings and detail pages.

By providing a more comprehensive view of job search data, the updated Search Console methodology can help job posting websites make better informed decisions about their job search strategies. By understanding how their job listings are performing across the various job experiences in Search, website owners can identify areas for improvement and optimize their job posting campaigns for maximum visibility and engagement.