What is Google Search Console and what is it used for?
Google Search Console, previously known as Google Webmaster Tools, is a free service offered by Google. Think of it as the dashboard of your car, but for your website. It helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site's presence in Google Search results. With the Search Console, you get insights into how Google views your website and discover ways to optimise its performance in search results. Dive into it here.

How to set up Google Search Console:

1. Head to the Google Search Console page.
2. Click 'Start Now' and sign in with your Google account.
3. Choose a property type: either 'Domain' (all subdomains and paths) or 'URL prefix' (a specific protocol and path).
4. Verify ownership using one of the methods provided, such as HTML tag, Google Analytics, or Domain Name Provider verification.
5. Once verified, you'll gain access to the console and its myriad features.

Difference between Google Search Console and Google Analytics:
Imagine you've got two mechanics looking at your car. One tells you how the car performs on the road (how many times it was driven, where it was driven to), while the other tells you about the car's internal health (engine condition, oil quality). Google Analytics gives insights on website traffic, user behaviour, and conversions (the performance on the road). Google Search Console focuses on search-related metrics and health checks, like which terms drive clicks to your site and whether Google can access all your content (the car's internal health).

How to add an XML sitemap to Google Search Console:

1. In the left-hand sidebar, click on 'Sitemaps'.
2. Enter the URL of your sitemap (often something like yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml).
3. Click 'Submit', and Google will start crawling your sitemap.

How to add someone to Google Search Console:

1. Within the Console, click on 'Settings'.
2. Navigate to 'Users and permissions'.
3. Click 'Add User' and input the email of the individual you want to add.
4. Choose their permission level (e.g., Full, Restricted), and click 'Add'.

What Data Is Available from Google Search Console:
You get a wealth of data, including:

• Performance Reports: Shows clicks, impressions, average click-through rate, and position.
• Coverage Issues: Details which pages are indexed and any errors or warnings.
• Mobile Usability: Identifies any issues for mobile visitors.
• Links: Reveals the domains linking to your site and the internal links within your site.

How to Find Indexed Pages on Google Search Console:

1. Click on 'Coverage' in the left-hand sidebar.
2. Here, you’ll see a graph showing valid indexed pages, as well as any errors, warnings, or excluded pages.

Remember, Google Search Console is an invaluable tool for any website owner. It’s like having a direct line to Google, ensuring your site runs smoothly in the search results.