I use the Semrush Log File Analyzer to analyze Googlebot crawl behavior and uncover issues that affect how my site is crawled and indexed. By uploading a raw access log from my hosting account into Semrush, I can see which bots visited, what files they requested, status codes returned, and where inconsistent responses or errors occur.
Table of Contents
- How do I get and upload my web server log file to Semrush?
- What does Semrush show after processing my log file?
- How do I find problematic pages and inconsistent status codes?
- Which issues should I prioritize after analyzing logs?
- How do I use the Semrush report to plan fixes?
- Frequently asked questions
How do I get and upload my web server log file to Semrush?
A log file is a web hosting file that gets created automatically in your hosting account. I access it through cPanel under raw access or I ask my web support team to provide the file. Once I download the log file, I upload it into Semrush under On-Page SEO > Tech SEO > Log File Analyzer, then click Start Log File Analyzer.
What does Semrush show after processing my log file?
After processing the log, Semrush gives a graphical interface that shows bot activity over time. I can filter by date range (all time, one day, seven days, 30 days) and see how often Googlebot and other bots visited. The report visualizes hits by day, file types requested, and status codes returned, so I can get an immediate sense of how user requests are handled and which resources are being hit most often.
How do I find problematic pages and inconsistent status codes?
I scroll down to the Hits by Pages section to see which pages received the most bot requests and the crawl frequency for each page. Semrush flags pages with status issues—for example a URL returning 301 sometimes and another status at other times will be marked as having an inconsistent status code. I click the details icon for any flagged resource to inspect the exact log entries and take corrective action.
Which issues should I prioritize after analyzing logs?
I prioritize errors that impact crawlability and user experience. That typically means:
- Fix zero or 4xx errors so bots and users can reach important pages.
- Resolve inconsistent status codes (for example a mix of 200 and 301) to avoid confusing crawlers.
- Address frequent server errors or slow responses that may cause bots to reduce crawl frequency.
How do I use the Semrush report to plan fixes?
I filter the report by specific status types (inconsistent, 4xx, 5xx) and focus on high-traffic or high-value pages first. The log file gives me concrete evidence of when crawlers hit a URL and what status they received, so I can correlate fixes with crawl improvements over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is a log file and where do I get it?
A log file is an automatically generated file in your hosting account that records HTTP requests. You can download it from cPanel raw access or request it from your web host or support team.
How long does Semrush take to process a log file?
Processing time depends on the log file size. Small sample files process quickly, while larger files can take longer. Semrush will begin analyzing as soon as the file is uploaded.
Can I filter results by date or bot type?
Yes. Semrush allows filtering by date ranges (one day, seven days, 30 days, or all time) and shows bot activity so you can focus specifically on Googlebot or other crawlers.
What should I fix first after reviewing the report?
Start with errors that impact crawlability: zero responses, 4xx and 5xx errors, and inconsistent status codes on important pages. Fixing these typically yields the fastest improvements in crawl behavior.
