Search Analytics
Anomaly Wizard
Run 50+ checks across GA4 and Search Console to find what changed since the previous period and why it matters.
3 min read Updated
What is it?
The Anomaly Wizard is a scan you run from Advanced Analytics. Its start screen says Find what changed — and why it matters.
Runs 50+ checks across GA4 and Search Console, comparing this period against the one immediately before it…
Why use it?
- To find problems fast, without reading every report.
- To catch data problems, such as tracking gaps or spam hostnames, before you trust a number.
- To get a list of findings sorted by how serious they are.
Before you start
Connect GA4 and Search Console. Pick the date range you want to check. The scan compares it with the preceding period.
How to use it
Open the tab
In Advanced Analytics, click Anomaly Wizard.
Pick your dates
Choose the range in the date picker first. Changing the range later resets the wizard.
Run the scan
Click Run Anomaly Scan. You see Running 50+ checks across GA4 + GSC… and progress messages.
Review the findings
Start with Critical, then Warning.
Run again
After fixing something, or on new dates, click Re-run scan.
Understanding the screen
What gets checked
- Organic sessions, users, engagement & conversions (GA4)
- Clicks, impressions, CTR & average position (GSC)
- Per-page and per-query regressions vs. the prior period
- Spam / mirror hostname detection
- Campaign & traffic-source anomalies
- Data-integrity guards (impossible values, tracking gaps)
- LLM referral traffic — checked, but a secondary signal here
A "regression" here means a page or query that got worse than in the prior period.
Results summary
The top of the results shows checkpoints run and findings to review.
Severity labels
| Label | What to do |
|---|---|
| Critical | Look at it first |
| Warning | Review soon |
| Info | Good to know |
| Healthy | The check passed |
Finding groups
| Group | Subtitle |
|---|---|
| Setup & Data Quality | Connection status and integrity guards |
| SEO — GA4 & Search Console | Primary focus of this scan |
| LLM Referral Traffic | Secondary signal — collapsed by default |
Click LLM Referral Traffic to open it. See LLM referral traffic.
Example
For example, you scan the last 28 days. Setup & Data Quality shows a Warning about sessions on other hostnames. SEO — GA4 & Search Console shows a Critical finding about clicks falling for some pages. Check the hostname list on the Analytics screen first, then open those pages in SEO Root Cause Analysis.
Tips
- Run the scan once a week on the last 7 days to catch problems early.
- Read Setup & Data Quality first. If the data is wrong, the SEO findings may be wrong too.
- To find growth ideas instead of problems, use the Opportunity Finder.
Common issues
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| Scan failed — Something went wrong running the scan. | Click Try again. If it keeps failing, contact support. |
| Results disappeared | You changed the date range. Click Run Anomaly Scan again. |
Frequently asked questions
What period does the Anomaly Wizard compare with?
It compares your selected range with the period immediately before it.
Why did my scan results disappear?
Changing the date range resets the wizard. Click Run Anomaly Scan again for the new dates.
Why is the LLM Referral Traffic group collapsed?
AI assistant traffic is checked, but it is a secondary signal in this scan, so the group is collapsed by default.
Related articles
- Search AnalyticsSEO Root Cause AnalysisFind out why organic traffic went up or down, split by branded and non-branded searches, URL and category.Read
- Search AnalyticsOpportunity FinderScan your Search Console data for growth ideas: striking distance keywords, low-CTR pages, snippet candidates and more.Read
- DashboardsAnalytics (GA4 + GSC)Read every KPI card, chart and table on the Analytics screen, which joins Google Analytics 4 and Search Console data.Read
- Search AnalyticsCategory BreakdownSee how each group of pages on your site performs, which categories are growing, and which pages are ready for a quick win.Read
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