Search Console impressions were overcounted for months, Google is now correcting the data

Google has confirmed that a logging error in Google Search Console caused impression data to be reported incorrectly. The issue made impression numbers look higher than they really were.

The bug has been affecting data since May 13, 2025, and Google is now rolling out a fix. As the correction is applied, many website owners will likely see a drop in reported impressions in their Search Console reports.

What happened?

Google Search Console had a logging error that over-counted impressions in search performance data. This means that pages were recorded as being seen in Google Search more often than they actually were.

Google says the problem only affected how impressions were logged. Clicks and other performance metrics were not impacted.

In simple terms:

• Impressions were too high
• Clicks are still accurate
• The issue was caused by a reporting bug, not real changes in search traffic

What Google said

Google explained that:

• The error started on May 13, 2025
• It affected impression reporting only
• The fix is being rolled out over the next few weeks
• Impression numbers will go down as the fix takes effect

A Google spokesperson also confirmed that the company has identified the issue and is actively correcting it to restore accurate reporting.

What will change now?

As Google updates its systems, Search Console users may notice:

• A drop in impression counts
• Changes in performance charts
• Lower visibility numbers compared to previous weeks

This does not mean websites are getting less traffic. It mainly means the data is being corrected to show more accurate numbers.

Why this matters

Google Search Console is one of the most important tools for SEO and website analysis. Many teams use impression data to measure visibility in Google Search.

Because of this bug:

• Some websites may have believed their visibility increased more than it actually did
• Long-term SEO comparisons (month-over-month or year-over-year) may be affected
• Performance reports over the affected period may need careful interpretation

Timeline of the issue

• May 13, 2025: Logging error begins
• May 2025 – April 2026: Impressions are over-reported
• April 2026: Google confirms the issue publicly
• Next few weeks: Fix is rolled out gradually

What you should do

If you use Search Console, there is no action required. However, it’s important to:

• Be cautious when comparing old and new impression data
• Focus more on clicks and conversions, which were not affected
• Expect reporting changes as the fix rolls out

Bottom line

This is not a drop in real traffic, but a correction in reporting. Impression numbers in Google Search Console were inflated for nearly a year, and Google is now fixing the issue so data better reflects reality.