Search Console Help Center | Search Off the Record

TL;DR

Josh Cohen discusses Search Console documentation and user feedback.

Transcript

hello and welcome to another episode of search off the record a podcast coming to you from the Google search team discussing all things search and maybe having some fun along the way my name is John and I'm joined today by Lizzy from the search relations team of which I'm also part of as a special guest we have Josh Cohen the amazing Tech writer fr... Read More

Key Insights

• Josh Cohen, a tech writer at Google, has been with the company since 2006, contributing to various documentation projects, including the initial Android documentation.
• The Search Console Help Center documentation is aimed at users who own websites, providing guidance on using the Search Console tool effectively.
• Josh's role involves providing feedback on user interface designs and ensuring that documentation is understandable for users with varying levels of expertise.
• Feedback from users is crucial for improving documentation, and Josh reviews this feedback monthly to identify areas for improvement.
• Common user misconceptions include confusion between Search Console and general web search issues, often leading to irrelevant feedback.
• Josh emphasizes the importance of clear, concise information and avoiding overwhelming users with technical jargon or excessive details.
• Despite the anonymity of his work, Josh finds satisfaction in contributing to widely used products and occasionally sneaks his name into documentation in creative ways.
• The podcast highlights the challenges of balancing detailed technical information with user-friendly documentation, especially when dealing with complex topics like search algorithms.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long has Josh Cohen been with Google, and what has been his path towards tech writing?

Josh Cohen joined Google in 2006, initially working on internal platform documentation for Google engineers. Over the years, he has contributed to various projects, including the initial Android documentation and cloud infrastructure. His path towards tech writing involved working on both internal and external documentation, eventually leading him to the Search Console Help Center.

Q: What is the main focus of the Search Console Help Center documentation?

The Search Console Help Center documentation is primarily aimed at website owners, providing guidance on using the Search Console tool effectively. It focuses on helping users understand how to manage their websites' presence in Google Search, offering insights into search performance, indexing, and other related topics.

Q: How does Josh contribute to the development of Search Console features?

Josh contributes to the development of Search Console features by providing feedback on user interface designs and documentation. As a tech writer, he acts as a 'stage zero' user, assessing the usability of features and ensuring that the documentation is clear and understandable. He collaborates with product managers, UX designers, and engineers to refine features based on user needs and feedback.

Q: What challenges does Josh face in creating documentation for Search Console?

One of the main challenges Josh faces is balancing the need for detailed technical information with the goal of making documentation user-friendly. He must ensure that the content is accessible to users with varying levels of expertise while avoiding overwhelming them with technical jargon or excessive details. Additionally, he addresses common misconceptions and confusion between Search Console and general web search issues.

Q: How does Josh handle user feedback for the Search Console Help Center?

Josh reviews user feedback for the Search Console Help Center monthly, focusing on identifying patterns and specific issues that users encounter. He looks for feedback on particular pages and uses it to improve documentation clarity and accuracy. Josh also emphasizes the importance of constructive feedback, encouraging users to provide specific details about their challenges.

Q: What misconceptions do users often have about Search Console?

Users often confuse Search Console with general web search issues, leading to irrelevant feedback. A common misconception is that Search Console can be used to remove content from websites they do not own. Josh addresses this by emphasizing the tool's purpose for website owners and providing clear guidance on its capabilities and limitations.

Q: How does Josh incorporate his identity into his work despite the anonymity of tech writing?

Despite the anonymity of tech writing at a large company like Google, Josh finds creative ways to incorporate his identity into his work. He occasionally sneaks his name into documentation in subtle ways, such as using his wife's name in examples. This allows him to leave a personal touch on his otherwise anonymous contributions.

Q: What are Josh's views on the use of zippies in documentation?

Josh is in favor of using zippies in documentation to keep pages concise and manageable. He believes that zippies help prevent overwhelming users with information by allowing them to expand sections as needed. However, he ensures that critical information is not hidden and that users can easily find what they need without unnecessary complexity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Josh Cohen, a tech writer at Google, discusses his journey and experiences in creating documentation for the Search Console Help Center. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and understanding user needs when developing documentation.

• The podcast explores the challenges of providing accurate and helpful documentation for Search Console users, addressing common misconceptions and the role of user feedback in improving content.

• Josh shares insights into his process for reviewing user feedback, the importance of concise information, and how he creatively incorporates his identity into his work despite the anonymity of technical writing.