14 DAY TRIAL // Google is debuting a feature that should make webmasters and SEOs quite happy, integration between Google's Webmaster Tools and Analytics. It's starting with a pilot program before the feature goes live later this month. Users will see a new report set in Google Analytics with data from Webmaster Tools.
"We’ve heard from many of you that an integration between Webmaster Tools and Google Analytics is at the top of your wishlists. So, today we’re happy to announce that we’re starting a limited pilot of just such an integration," Trevor Claiborne from the Google Analytics Team wrote.
"The initial release will be a set of reports in Google Analytics using search data from Google Webmaster Tools. This includes query information, clicks, impressions, clickthrough rate, and average position. You’ll also be able to use Google Analytics advanced data filtering and visualizations with this data," he explained.
For now, if you want to see the new feature in action you have to sign up for the pilot. During this phase, Google will be gathering info and feedback. Google also wants to extend the search data available in Analytics, so it wants early testers to suggest ways the integration could be improved.
The new section is placed in the Traffic Sources category and is labeled Search Engine Optimization. It features the sub-sections Summary, Queries and Landing Pages.
For example, in the queries section, you can see just how many people saw your site in their search results and how many actually clicked on the result. The average ranking position is also listed.
The top queries are also listed, enabling you to see the most popular terms users find your site with and how well you rank for those terms. The data can be used to create custom reports as well, so you can compare it to other metrics from the Analytics reports.