New feature helps brands monitor how social profiles appear in Google search
Google has quietly rolled out a significant update to Search Console, allowing website owners to track how their social media channel links appear in search results. The new Social Channels report, announced in December 2025, gives brands unprecedented visibility into their social media presence on Google Search.
What’s Changed in Search Console
The update introduces a dedicated Social Channels report that shows when Google displays links to your Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, and other social profiles alongside your website in search results. Previously, site owners had no way to monitor or optimise how these social links appeared in Google’s knowledge panels and search features.
According to Google’s official announcement, the report provides impression data, click-through rates, and positioning information for social media links that appear with your brand’s search listing. This marks the first time Google has offered granular analytics for social media visibility within organic search results.
The feature works by detecting structured data markup on your website or pulling information from publicly available sources that Google has associated with your brand entity. Website owners can now see which social platforms drive the most engagement directly from search results and identify missing or incorrect social channel associations.
Why This Matters for SEO and Brand Visibility
This update represents a shift in how Google views the relationship between websites and social media presence. For years, SEO professionals have debated whether social signals impact rankings. Whilst Google maintains that social media engagement doesn’t directly influence rankings, the new reporting feature suggests the search giant recognises social channels as essential components of brand identity.
Brands with strong social media followings may benefit from increased click-through rates when multiple touchpoints appear in search results. The data could also help identify optimisation opportunities, such as adding missing social profiles or correcting outdated links that Google displays.
E-commerce sites, local businesses, and personal brands stand to gain the most from this update. A user searching for a restaurant, for instance, might see the business’s Instagram feed directly in search results, driving engagement before they even visit the website.
How to Access the New Report
Website owners can find the Social Channels report in the left-hand menu of Google Search Console under the “Performance” section. The report displays data for the past 16 months, consistent with other Search Console reports.
To maximise the feature’s value, Google recommends implementing proper schema markup for social profiles on your website. The Organisation and Person schema types now carry additional weight in helping Google accurately associate social channels with your brand.
Key Takeaways
Google’s integration of social media tracking into Search Console signals a more holistic approach to brand presence in search results. Whilst social signals don’t directly impact rankings, visibility across multiple channels creates additional pathways for user engagement.
For SEO professionals, this update provides actionable data to refine omnichannel strategies and ensure consistent brand representation across Google Search.
About DripRanks
At DripRanks, we don’t just follow the trends we help you lead them. As one of Dubai’s top-rated SEO agencies, we specialise in data driven strategies that boost visibility and conversions.
