SEO

Google Search Console's New AI Filter: How to Find SEO Quick Wins in Minutes

Google Search Console now has an AI-powered filter that lets you ask plain English questions about your search data. Here's how NZ business owners can use it to find ranking opportunities fast.

Jason Poonia Jason Poonia | | 7 min read
Google Search Console's New AI Filter: How to Find SEO Quick Wins in Minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Google Search Console now has an AI filter that lets you ask natural language questions about your search performance data — no technical knowledge required.
  • Use prompts like “show me bottom of funnel searches” to instantly find keywords from people who are ready to buy, not just browsing.
  • The biggest opportunity is finding queries where you already rank on page 1–2 but have low click-through rates — these are quick wins you can improve with minor content tweaks.
  • Local businesses can use prompts like “show me queries with local intent” to discover exactly what nearby customers are searching for.
  • Most of your competitors aren’t using this feature yet, which means acting now gives you a genuine head start.
  • You don’t need to create new pages for every opportunity — often, updating an existing page’s title, headings, or adding a short section is enough to climb the rankings.

Google just quietly added one of the most useful SEO features in years. And most business owners have no idea it exists.

Google Search Console now has an AI-powered filter that lets you type plain English questions about your website’s search data. Instead of clicking through filters and trying to interpret spreadsheets, you can just ask it what you want to know.

Here’s how to use it to find real opportunities for your business.

Where to Find the AI Filter

  1. Log into Google Search Console
  2. Go to PerformanceFull Report
  3. Look for the blue AI filter button in the top right corner
  4. Click it and type your question in plain English

That’s it. No setup, no extra tools, no cost.

The Prompts That Actually Matter for Business Owners

The power of this feature comes down to what you ask it. Here are the prompts that will give you the most actionable insights.

”Show me bottom of funnel searches”

This is the money prompt. It filters for keywords where people are ready to take action — they’re comparing options, looking for pricing, or searching for a specific service.

Why it matters: These are the searches that lead to enquiries and sales. If you’re ranking for “best plumber in Auckland” but not getting clicks, that’s a problem you can fix.

What to do with the results:

  • Check which of these queries you’re already ranking for (positions 1–20)
  • Look at your click-through rate — if it’s low, your title and meta description probably aren’t compelling enough
  • Update your page content to better match what the searcher is looking for

”Show me queries with local intent”

If you serve a specific area, this prompt is gold. It pulls up searches where people are looking for something nearby — think “web designer Wellington” or “electrician near me.”

Why it matters: Local searches have some of the highest conversion rates. Someone searching “café near me” is probably hungry right now.

What to do with the results:

  • Make sure you have pages optimised for each location you serve
  • Check that your Google Business Profile matches these search terms
  • Add location-specific content to your service pages if it’s missing

”Show queries where users are searching for a service provider”

This one is particularly useful if you’re a service-based business or agency. It finds searches where people are actively looking to hire someone.

What to do with the results:

  • Create or improve pages that directly address these searches
  • Make sure your calls to action are clear on the pages that rank for these terms
  • Consider whether you need a dedicated landing page for high-volume queries

”Show me my branded searches”

This shows you how people are searching for your business specifically.

Why it matters: Branded searches tell you how visible your brand is. If no one’s searching for you by name, your marketing isn’t building enough awareness. If they are, you want to make sure you own those results completely.

What to do with the results:

  • Make sure you rank #1 for your own brand name (you’d be surprised how often businesses don’t)
  • Look for branded queries you don’t expect — they might reveal what people associate with your business
  • Check for misspellings of your brand name and make sure those still lead to you

”Show me comparison and evaluation queries”

These are searches where people are comparing options — “Squarespace vs WordPress,” “best CRM for small business NZ,” that sort of thing.

Why it matters: People making comparisons are close to a decision. If you show up in these searches with helpful, honest content, you build trust and win business.

What to do with the results:

  • Create comparison content if you don’t have any
  • Make sure existing comparison pages are up to date
  • Position your business honestly — buyers can tell when you’re being one-sided

”Which queries had the biggest increase in impressions over the last 3 months”

This shows you what’s trending upward. Google is showing your site to more people for these terms, which means it sees your content as relevant.

Why it matters: Rising impressions without rising clicks means opportunity. You’re getting in front of more people but not converting that visibility into visits.

What to do with the results:

  • Prioritise these pages for optimisation — they’re already gaining momentum
  • Improve titles and meta descriptions to increase click-through rates
  • Add more depth to the content to push rankings higher

How to Find Your Biggest Quick Wins

Here’s the most valuable exercise you can do with this tool:

  1. Use the AI filter to find queries with high impressions
  2. Filter for positions 3–20 — you’re already on page 1 or 2 of Google
  3. Look for low click-through rates — people see you but don’t click

These are your quick wins. You’re already ranking, so Google considers your content relevant. With small improvements, you can climb higher and start getting clicks.

Quick fixes that work:

  • Rewrite your page title to be more compelling and specific
  • Update your meta description with a clear benefit or call to action
  • Add a section to your page that directly answers the search query
  • Include the search term naturally in your headings
  • Add internal links from other relevant pages on your site

You don’t need to build new pages or overhaul your entire site. Often, 30 minutes of targeted updates can move you from position 8 to position 3 — and that’s the difference between being invisible and getting real traffic.

Track Your Progress

Once you’ve made changes, use the AI filter to monitor results:

  • “Show me CTR changes by subfolder” — see which sections of your site are improving
  • “Which queries had the biggest click drops” — catch problems early before they cost you traffic
  • “Show me topical authority progress” — understand which topics Google sees you as an expert in

Check back every 2–4 weeks. SEO changes take time to show up, but when they do, you’ll have clear data to prove what’s working.

Why This Matters Right Now

Most business owners — and honestly, most marketers — haven’t discovered this feature yet. That’s your advantage.

While your competitors are still manually scrolling through Search Console data or ignoring it entirely, you can use these AI prompts to find and act on opportunities in minutes.

The businesses that win at SEO aren’t always the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones who find the right data and act on it quickly. This tool makes that easier than it’s ever been.

Need Help Making Sense of Your Search Data?

If you’d rather have someone do this for you, get in touch with us. We use tools like this every day to find ranking opportunities for New Zealand businesses — and we can show you exactly where your biggest wins are hiding.

Written by

Jason Poonia

Jason Poonia is the founder and Managing Director of Lucid Media, helping NZ businesses grow online since 2018. With over 6 years delivering results for clients across New Zealand and internationally, Jason combines technical expertise with proven marketing strategies to help businesses attract more customers and build scalable systems. Background in Computer Science from the University of Auckland.