# Tools Performance Data (GSC & GA4)

**Last Updated:** 2026-03-29  
**Purpose:** How to export and use Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics (GA4) data for tools/rechner pages to inform prioritization and optimization.

**See also:** [DATA_COLLECTION_TOOLS.md](DATA_COLLECTION_TOOLS.md) (master inventory).

## API collection (recommended)

Same credentials as blog/template collectors (`v2/config/google-api-credentials.php`).

```bash
# GSC: last 90 days, all pages whose URL contains /tools/ (single API request)
php v2/scripts/tools/collect-tools-performance-gsc.php

# GA4: last 90 days, page paths containing /tools/
php v2/scripts/tools/collect-tools-performance-ga4.php
```

Outputs:

- `docs/content/tools/tools-performance-gsc.json` — `pages[]` with `url` (path-only), `clicks`, `impressions`, `ctr`, `position`; `date_range`, `gsc_property`.
- `docs/content/tools/tools-performance-ga4.json` — `pages[]` with `path`, `screen_page_views`, `sessions`, `avg_session_duration_s`.

Optional: `--days=120` on either script. `--dry-run` on GSC script exits without writing.

## Why use GSC/GA for tools

- **Current position and traffic:** See which tools get impressions/clicks and at which average position (e.g. Prozentrechner “1 session” vs strategy “85,900 potential” — verify in GSC).
- **Query-level data:** Which queries drive traffic to `/tools/*` (e.g. “prozentrechner”, “stundenlohn rechner”).
- **Up-to-date decisions:** Prioritization (TOOLS_PRIORITIZATION_2026, TOOLS_OPPORTUNITY_LIST) should use fresh GSC/GA when available, not only SISTRIX.

## GSC manual export (fallback)

If the API is unavailable, use CSV + converter (below).

### Steps

1. Open [Google Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console) → **Performance**.
2. Add filter: **Page** → “URL contains” → `ordio.com/tools/` (or `/tools/` depending on property).
3. Set date range (e.g. last 3 or 6 months).
4. Export:
   - **Pages tab:** Export to CSV/Google Sheets for clicks, impressions, CTR, position per URL (e.g. `/tools/prozentrechner`, `/tools/stundenlohnrechner`).
   - **Queries tab (optional):** Filter by pages above or export top queries for tools URLs to see which keywords drive traffic.

### Where to store the data

- **Recommended path:** `docs/content/tools/tools-performance-gsc.json`  
  Use this path so the merge script (`merge-tools-opportunity-data.php --gsc=...`) can read it.
- **Convert CSV to JSON:** After exporting from GSC, run:
  ```bash
  php v2/scripts/tools/gsc-export-to-json.php --csv=docs/content/tools/gsc-pages-export.csv
  ```
  This writes `docs/content/tools/tools-performance-gsc.json` (or use `--output=PATH`). The script keeps only rows whose URL contains `/tools/` and normalizes to path-only URLs.
- **Format:** Example JSON shape:

```json
{
  "exported_at": "2026-02-08",
  "source": "GSC Performance export",
  "pages": [
    {
      "url": "/tools/prozentrechner",
      "clicks": 10,
      "impressions": 5000,
      "ctr": 0.002,
      "position": 12.5
    }
  ],
  "queries": []
}
```

- **Update frequency:** Export periodically (e.g. monthly or before updating TOOLS_PRIORITIZATION_2026 / TOOLS_OPPORTUNITY_LIST) so analysis uses current data.

## GA4 manual export (fallback)

- In GA4: **Reports** → **Engagement** → **Pages and screens** (or **Events** if you track tool usage).
- Filter by page path containing `/tools/` to get sessions, events, conversions per tool URL.
- Export to CSV or copy key metrics into your opportunity list. Prefer `collect-tools-performance-ga4.php` for a repeatable JSON file next to GSC data.

Use GA4 for:

- Sessions and engagement per tool (align with “1 session” vs “85,900 potential” checks).
- Conversion or lead events tied to tools (e.g. export button, demo request).

## SISTRIX timeout

If `collect-tools-keywords-sistrix.php` times out (e.g. HTTP 0 or no response), run from a network with stable outbound HTTPS or retry later; use GSC/GA in the meantime for prioritisation.

## Using the data in prioritization

1. **TOOLS_OPPORTUNITY_LIST.md:** When you have GSC/GA exports, add or update columns (e.g. “GSC clicks”, “GSC position”, “GA4 sessions”) or a short “Current performance” note per tool/keyword.
2. **TOOLS_PRIORITIZATION_2026.md:** Refer to GSC/GA for “verify in GSC” items (e.g. Prozentrechner), and for ordering existing vs new tools by actual traffic and opportunity.
3. **Merge script:** `v2/scripts/tools/merge-tools-opportunity-data.php` can merge SISTRIX output with optional GSC data when files exist; use `--gsc=docs/content/tools/tools-performance-gsc.json` after creating that file (e.g. via `gsc-export-to-json.php`).

## Related

- [TOOLS_OPPORTUNITY_LIST.md](TOOLS_OPPORTUNITY_LIST.md)  
- [TOOLS_PRIORITIZATION_2026.md](TOOLS_PRIORITIZATION_2026.md)  
- [PROZENTRECHNER_AUDIT_CHECKLIST.md](PROZENTRECHNER_AUDIT_CHECKLIST.md) (GSC checks for one tool)  
- [KEYWORD_RESEARCH_GUIDE.md](../../seo-strategy-2026/guides/KEYWORD_RESEARCH_GUIDE.md) (Tools SISTRIX section)