Update existing pages with Rewrite
Use Google Search Console signals to find pages worth improving while preserving the original URL.
Rewrite finds existing pages that may benefit from an update. It uses recent Google Search Console performance, the current article, and current search results to prepare a focused recommendation.
Rewrite is not a request to create a second article on the same topic. The updated content is intended to replace the page at its original URL.
Before you start
Connect the complete Domain property in Google Search Console. Rewrite depends on real search-performance data and will wait when GSC is not connected or has not prepared usable data yet.
Choose screening strategies
Three strategies are available and enabled by default:
- Ranking opportunities: important queries rank roughly 6–20 and continue receiving impressions.
- Declining clicks: a page previously earned steady clicks but has recently lost clicks or position.
- Click-through opportunities: a page ranks reasonably well and has enough impressions, but its CTR trails comparable queries.
Turn off a strategy when it does not match the kind of update you want to prioritize. The page refreshes candidates after the daily GSC sync using the enabled strategies.
Review the candidate table
Each candidate shows:
- The existing article and URL.
- The reason it qualified.
- Current average position, impressions, and CTR.
- A concise recommendation explaining why the page is worth updating.
Search by article, URL, or query, or filter by opportunity type. Open a row to review the full Rewrite Plan and the live article.
Prepare the update
In the Rewrite Plan:
- Review the recent search metrics and the reason for updating.
- Confirm the primary query.
- Choose Now, Tomorrow, End of queue, or a custom date.
- Choose an approach:
- Focused update: keep what works and improve weak or stale sections.
- Full refresh: keep the original URL but rebuild the article structure.
- Add optional instructions, such as preserving a customer story or updating a specific year.
- Select Review & schedule rewrite.
The item moves into Content Calendar with its original page and recommendation attached. Article Details, generation, editing, and publishing continue through the standard workflow.
Understand the data
Google Search Console data is not real time and commonly trails current search activity. The page shows the latest available data date. A recommendation is a planning signal, not a guarantee that rankings, clicks, or CTR will improve.
How to know the task is complete
After scheduling, the candidate shows Scheduled and the Rewrite Plan opens the matching Content Calendar item. Before publishing, confirm that the update will replace the original URL rather than create a competing second page.