Google introduced a logging error on Friday, April third within the knowledge anomalies report and defined that error prevented the correct logging of impressions in GSC since Could of 2025. That is proper, virtually a full 12 months of inaccurate impressions. How unhealthy of a logging error? We do not know but, however we’ll all discover out within the coming weeks. Google stated web site homeowners could discover a lower in impressions within the Efficiency reporting. Additionally they stated that different metrics weren’t affected. Extra on that in a second.
Here’s what Google stated on April third:
“This subject will likely be resolved over the subsequent few weeks; because of this, you could discover a lower in impressions within the Search Console Efficiency report. Clicks and different metrics weren’t affected by the error, and this subject affected knowledge logging solely.”
Right here is my tweet about that on X from Saturday:
Virtually a 12 months of inflated impressions? May this error have prompted a few of the alligator graphs we now have seen? -> Google Search Console misreported impression knowledge since Could 13, 2025 because of a logging error. Corrections will roll out within the coming weeks. https://t.co/F8cgjRjmIP… pic.twitter.com/2kOvNWA3NF
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) April 4, 2026
The Nice Decoupling – Was “alligator trending” as unhealthy as we thought?
Most individuals within the website positioning trade know what The Nice Decoupling is and what “alligator trending” appears to be like like in GSC. That is when there is a level when impressions began to surge as clicks decreased. So mainly, a decoupling of clicks and impressions over time. And that created a graph resembling an alligator opening its mouth. Most attributed that to the influence from AI Overviews the place customers had been getting a solution within the SERPs by way of the AIO, however then not clicking by. So impressions would go up when clicks would lower.
Here’s what that appears like:
However now that we all know there was a logging error that inflated impressions within the Efficiency reporting, will we see the alligator closing its mouth? In different phrases, will impressions come again all the way down to regular (or nearer to regular) closing the hole that prompted many to scream bloody homicide concerning the influence from AI Overviews? It is exhausting to say at this level, however we’ll know quickly sufficient.
Different metrics unaffected?
Google additionally defined that different metrics within the Efficiency reporting had been unaffected, however how may that be? Click on-through fee is predicated on impressions and clicks, and common place is impacted by when your content material ranks within the search outcomes and which place it was rating in when receiving that impression. We do not know the main points of how the logging error occurred, however it’s odd to say the opposite metrics had been unaffected. Once more, we’ll discover out quickly sufficient.
Export your GSC knowledge now.
One factor is for positive, all web site homeowners needs to be exporting their GSC knowledge quickly. I’ve printed a number of tutorials about learn how to bulk export knowledge from GSC by way of the Search Console API utilizing Analytics Edge. That is a good way to go to make sure you aren’t restricted by the 1000 row restrict in GSC. After you have your knowledge exported, it is possible for you to to check the information to what was being reported earlier than the repair.
This needs to be attention-grabbing. Keep tuned.
GG
