Data Sources — Google (Search Console, Analytics, Ads, BigQuery)
Connect Google Search Console, GA4, Google Ads, and BigQuery via OAuth — the backbone of the Dashboard and Opportunity Finder.
What is it?
Four Google-family integrations. All use OAuth with a refresh token stored server-side per user.
- Google Search Console (GSC) — provides keyword queries, impressions, clicks, and rankings.
- Google Analytics 4 (GA4) — provides session counts, engagement metrics, top pages.
- Google Ads — provides paid-search keyword data and bid context.
- BigQuery — optional, for clients with warehouse-level analytics. Uses a service account JSON key, not OAuth.
When should I use it?
- GSC: essential for any client doing SEO. Connect first.
- GA4: essential for traffic and engagement analytics. Connect second.
- Google Ads: connect if the client runs paid search and wants keyword bid context alongside organic.
- BigQuery: enterprise only. Skip unless specifically needed.
How to use it
GSC / GA4 / Ads (OAuth)
- Click Connect Account on the card.
- A Google OAuth window opens. Sign in with the Google account that has access to the property.
- Grant the requested scopes. The window closes and you return to NexusSEO.
- For GSC, pick the property (site) from the dropdown that appears. For GA4, pick the property.
- Click Save. The card flips to Connected.
BigQuery
- Click Connect Account on the BigQuery card.
- Provide GCP Project ID, Dataset ID, and paste the Service Account JSON Key (Base64-encoded).
- Save.
Tips and best practices
- Use the same Google account for GSC and GA4 when possible — simpler auth, fewer refresh issues.
- If the OAuth account loses access to the property (e.g. agency access rotated), the connection breaks silently. Reconnect.
- GA4 needs both connected AND a Property ID configured. Double-check the Property ID after connecting.
Gotchas and limits
- OAuth tokens auto-refresh. But if the user revokes access via Google Account Settings, reconnection is required.
- GSC property must be verified on the Google side before it appears in the dropdown.
- BigQuery requires proper IAM on the service account — reader access at minimum on the dataset.
- GA4 data has a 24–48h processing delay. Same-day numbers are preliminary.