Ever look at your Search Console chart and think, “Why did my clicks spike here?” Did you launch a new landing page? Did a bug sneak in? Was it a holiday or a big campaign? You see the numbers move, but you don’t know why.
Google fixes this with custom annotations. They are like sticky notes on your charts. On November 17, 2025, Google let you drop your own notes directly into Search Console performance reports.
Right-click a date, type a note (120 characters max), and done. Later, as Barry Schwartz points out, you or your team can look back and say, “Ah! That’s why traffic dipped that week.”
It seems small. But it matters a lot. You stop guessing. You see context. You make faster, smarter decisions.
What if you launch a new homepage banner and traffic dips? With a note, you know immediately the dip links to the banner. You save hours and avoid stress.
How Custom Annotations Work
Charts can be confusing. A spike or drop in traffic feels like a mystery. You see numbers but not why they move. Custom annotations give every data point a story.
Annotations work like a journal. You record changes, campaigns, fixes, or events. Later, your performance trends show context. You connect actions to results.
Think of it like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self or your team. Without them, you chase random fixes, waste hours, or guess wrong. With them, you see patterns, spot mistakes faster, and make smarter decisions. Even small notes, like a plugin update or content tweak, can save time and stress.
Let’s break it down. How do you actually use this thing?
- Add an Annotation
- Open your Performance report in the Search Console.
- Right-click the date you want to annotate.
- Select “Add annotation.”
- Pick your date, type your note, hit Add.
Every note becomes a marker in your traffic history. Later, you trace spikes, drops, or trends directly to a real action.
- What to Write
Keep notes short, clear, and meaningful. Examples include:
- “Site migrated”
- “New blog template launched”
- “SEO campaign started”
- “Holiday promotion live”
Limit yourself to 120 characters. Focus on the action and purpose, not the steps. Use consistent phrasing so patterns are easy to spot.
- Visibility & Limits
- Everyone with access to your property sees your notes. Avoid private info.
- Limit: 200 annotations per property. Don’t try to track every tiny tweak. Focus on big moves that matter.
- You can’t edit a note once it’s live. Delete and re-add if needed.
- Notes older than ~500 days disappear automatically, so think of them as mid-term memory.
Example: Your dev team pushes a new plugin. You note: “Plugin X installed to improve speed.” Two weeks later, clicks rise. You see the cause immediately. Without the note, you might chase the wrong fixes.
Annotations also help your team communicate. Marketing, content, and dev can leave notes. Later, everyone sees the full picture. Patterns appear. Trends are obvious. Decisions get smarter.
Why Adding Context Matters for SEO
Annotations aren’t just cute sticky notes. They are powerful decision-making tools. Charts go from numbers to stories. Every spike, drop, or flatline has a reason. SEO becomes smarter, faster, and less stressful.
- Connect Actions to Results
Without notes, you waste hours guessing why traffic changed. Notes log exactly what you did and when, creating a timeline. You see cause and effect immediately.
Example: You change a homepage button. Traffic dips. Your note shows why. No panic. No wasted time.
Pro tip: Use action-focused phrases like “CTA updated – button color change” or “Blog series published.” Short. Clear. Easy to scan.
- Build a Shared Memory
SEO isn’t solo work. Writers, developers, marketers, designers — all make changes. Notes let everyone leave info. Your chart becomes a shared memory, not a mystery.
Example: Marketing runs a holiday campaign. Dev fixes a bug. Content posts new articles. Each action is noted. Later, the team sees the full story. No guessing. No blaming.
This also helps new team members. They don’t dig through old emails or spreadsheets. Everything is clear.
- Spot Trends and Mistakes Faster
Some changes repeat patterns. Maybe clicks dip after template updates. Maybe impressions spike after a blog campaign. Notes make patterns visible. You adjust faster. Avoid mistakes.
Example: Every CMS update causes a temporary dip. Your notes show this clearly. Your team can plan around it and prevent panic.
- Better Reports for Clients or Stakeholders
Reporting is easier. No vague “I think” statements. Show the chart. Point to your notes. Proof, not guessing.
Example: A client asks why impressions fell. Your notes show blog launches, campaigns, and Google updates. You explain clearly. Everyone understands.
The Risks (Because Nothing’s Free)
Annotations are powerful, but not magic. Watch for these pitfalls.
- Everyone Sees Your Notes
Everyone with property access can read them. Avoid private or embarrassing info.
Example: Don’t write “Fixed embarrassing signup bug.” Write “Signup bug fixed.” Safe and professional.
- Too Much Noise
Notes work best for big events. Too many tiny tweaks clutter charts.
Example: Logging every button color change makes charts messy. Focus on:
- Website migrations
- Template updates
- Major campaigns
- SEO pushes
- No Editing
Mistyped note? Once live, you can edit it. Delete and re-add if needed.
Example: Typo: “Publish new blog.” Delete. Re-add: “Publish new blog.” Simple fix.
- Aging Out
Notes older than ~500 days disappear. Mid-term memory, not forever.
Example: Migration notes from two years ago vanish. Keep a separate spreadsheet for long-term history.
Quick tip: Log high-impact events only. Every note should tell a story.
How to Use Annotations Smartly
Annotations work best with a plan. Here’s a roadmap.
- Define Key Events:
Focus on big actions that affect traffic:
- Website migrations or redesigns
- Major content updates
- SEO campaigns
- Plugin installs or technical fixes
Example: Track blog series launch, not every button tweak. Big changes move the needle.
- Standardize Labels:
Keep notes consistent. Patterns show up more easily.
Example: [MIGRATION], [SEO LAUNCH], [CAMPAIGN]. Avoid mixed formats like “Migration Done” or “SEO push.”
- Train Your Team:
Everyone with access should know how to add notes. A quick 10-minute guide saves hours later.
Example: Marketing, dev, and content teams all log their changes. Later, the chart tells the full story.
- Link Annotations With Outcomes:
Ask: “Did this change cause the spike or drop?” Connect notes to results.
Example: Blog series goes live, traffic spikes. Notes show the link. Plan future series to maximize clicks.
- Review Periodically:
Check notes every few months. See what worked and what didn’t. Patterns emerge.
Example: Quarterly review shows holiday campaigns boost impressions but lower click-through. Next campaigns are smarter.
Quick tip: Treat annotations as a living map. Plan, log, and review. Your chart tells a story.
Making SEO Decisions Smarter
At Tower 25 SD, clarity rules. You build towers with purpose. Your digital presence deserves the same.
Custom annotations give your SEO a backbone. Your team logs changes. Your data gains context. You stop guessing and start knowing.
It’s like giving Search Console a memory. You no longer chase shadows. Every note is a clue. Every chart tells a story. Over time, patterns appear, mistakes drop, and decisions get smarter.
Why Tower 25 SD? We bring strategy, insight, and hands-on experience. We make your digital presence as strong and precise as your towers. Our team guides setup, training, and best practices so annotations transform your workflow.
Take control of your SEO. Stop guessing. Start learning. Make every action count. Contact Tower 25 SD today and turn your charts into a story that actually makes sense.
FAQs
Can I annotate past dates?
Yes. Right-click the date and type your note.
Do notes show in every chart?
No. Only in date-based charts. Not in comparisons or 24-hour views.
How many annotations can I have?
Each property can have up to 200 annotations.
Can I edit notes after adding them?
No. Delete and re-add if needed.
Who can see my annotations?
Anyone with property access can see your notes.
Do annotations last forever?
No. Notes older than 500 days disappear automatically.
Should I log every single change?
No. Focus on meaningful events: migrations, campaigns, big content updates.
How does this compare to third-party tools?
It’s native, simple, and clean. No spreadsheets needed. External tools still help for extra features, but annotations keep everything in one place.