What Was Google Webmaster Tools?
Google Webmaster Tools was the original name for the free platform site owners used to monitor indexing status, search performance, and technical issues affecting their site in Google Search.
What Replaced It
Google rebranded and relaunched the tool as Google Search Console in 2015, alongside a significant redesign that introduced new reports and a cleaner interface over the following years.
What Changed
Beyond the name, Search Console introduced more detailed and actionable reporting — a more useful Performance report, Core Web Vitals data, mobile usability checks, and a generally more modern, user-friendly experience than the older Webmaster Tools interface offered. The underlying purpose remained the same: a direct line of communication between site owners and Google about how their site is being crawled, indexed, and ranked.
WRITTEN BY
Annabelle Cochrane
MANAGING DIRECTOR & SEO SPECIALIST
Annabelle holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from QUT and works directly with every ALC Consulting client. She’s based on the Sunshine Coast and works with businesses across Australia.
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