Missing Search Queries in Search Console
We had a client who came on board for a website refresh, and new brand positioning along with SEO and copywriting overhaul. Everything has been pushed into Google, he is ready for leads and enquiries. But no search queries are displaying in Search console? Why?? Well of course - this is a common problem when you fix your domain to account for a better user experience.
Why do people use dashes in their domain? They think its better to separate the keywords, our because that domain wasn't available. There are many questions, and aspects of brand development to explore when going online. Keywords are simply one aspect of many. But it is recommended to stay away from dashes to avoid confusion with your customers.
But if you change your domain, you need to perform some key actions.
Why Your New Website Has No Keyword Data
Canonicalisation confusion is one of the most common reasons a new website can appear visible on Google but still show little or no keyword data in Google Search Console.
When a business moves from one domain to another, Google needs to clearly understand which website is now the main version. If the old domain is still live, indexed, or partially resolving, Google may continue giving search history and keyword signals to the old website instead of the new one.
The Culprit is Canonicalisation Confusion
Canonicalisation confusion happens when Google sees two similar versions of the same business website and becomes uncertain about which one should receive ranking credit, keyword impressions, and search authority.
For example:
- Old domain: unique-domain.com
- New domain: uniquedomain.com.au
To a person, these domains clearly look like the same business. To Google, they can appear as two separate websites competing for the same search visibility.
If the old unique-domain.com website has more history, backlinks, previous rankings, and indexing signals, Google may keep attributing keyword impressions and traffic history to that older domain.
Why This Creates A Split Identity Problem
When Google does not receive clear signals during a domain migration, your business can end up with a split identity online.
This can mean:
- The old domain keeps the historical keyword visibility.
- The new domain appears indexed but receives little or no keyword data.
- Search Console reports may not reflect the full search opportunity.
- Ranking signals may become diluted across both domains.
- Google may take longer to trust the new domain as the main website.
How To Diagnose This Right Now
The fastest way to check whether the old domain is still being indexed is to run a Google site search.
Search this in Google:
site:unique-domain.com
If Google Returns Live Results
If Google shows pages from the old domain, this means the old website is still actively indexed. Google may still be treating that domain as a valid website and may continue assigning keyword history to it.
If The Old Domain Redirects To The New Domain
If the old domain redirects to uniquedomain.com.au, that is a good sign. However, redirects alone do not always transfer all historical search signals immediately.
Google may still hold search memory against the old domain, especially if the migration was not formally submitted through Google Search
Console. You need to change the address of your search data to your new website, even if its not performing well.
Additional Checks Before Submitting The Change Of Address
Before using the Changing the address, make sure your technical SEO setup is correct.
- Verify both domains in Google Search Console.
- Set up sitewide 301 redirects from the old domain to the new domain.
- Check that all canonical tags point to the new domain.
- Update internal website links so they use the new domain.
- Update Google Business Profile, directories, and social profiles.
- Submit the new sitemap in Google Search Console.
- Inspect key pages and request indexing where needed.
How Ranking Australia Can Help
At Ranking Australia, we help small businesses diagnose technical SEO issues that stop their websites from being properly understood by Google.
If your new website is indexed but showing little or no keyword data, the issue may not be your content. It may be a domain migration, canonicalisation, or Search Console setup problem.
We review the full picture, including your website structure, redirects, Google Search Console data, indexing status, and online business listings.
Your Success is Our Success.
We Speak Google.
