Custom Looker Studio Report with AI for Strategy and Progress
Written By: Shane Clark on July 9, 2025
This is part one of how I build and use reports that actually help my clients grow. I start by creating a custom Looker Studio report that pulls in everything I need from GA4, Google Search Console, and SE Ranking. I connect the dots between traffic, rankings, and on-site behavior so nothing gets missed. Every chart is intentional and every metric has a purpose.
Once the report is finished and exported as a PDF, I use AI tools to dig deeper. I do not just send over numbers. I ask questions, find patterns, and figure out where we need to go next in the campaign. That part is coming in part two.
For now, here is how I bring all the data together into a report that shows both progress and strategy in one place.
Why I Use a Custom Looker Studio Report for My Clients
This report is not built for clients to read. It is built for me to work from. Most of my clients will never dig through something like this, and honestly, they should not have to. The custom Looker Studio report gives me a full picture of performance across GA4, Search Console, and SE Ranking. It is detailed, layered, and complex on purpose.
It works as my source of truth. Once I have this report in place, I use it to generate something simpler. The real value for the client comes from the supplemental report I build based on this data. That is where I break things down, explain what is working, and give clear next steps. The Looker Studio report is not the end product. It is the baseline I need in order to make smart, accurate recommendations every month.
How I Use AI to Pull Insights From the Report
Once I export the custom Looker Studio report as a PDF, that is when the real work starts. I use AI to scan the data, ask questions, and highlight patterns I might have missed. It helps me spot things faster and look at the numbers from different angles.
I use a custom prompt I built to format the output into something useful. It asks for a summary of recent progress and sets clear goals for the next phase of the campaign. That structure becomes the core of the supplement report. It is what clients actually read and act on.
The AI is not doing the thinking for me. It is helping organize the thinking so I can focus on strategy. It takes a dense, complex report and turns it into something clear and actionable without losing the value of the deeper data underneath.
Why I Always Export the Looker Studio Report to PDF
As the report grows, Looker Studio starts to struggle. The more data you include, the slower it gets. Sometimes pages fail to load or charts time out. That is a problem when you need to review everything at once or pass it along for review. To avoid all of that, I export the full report as a PDF every time.
The PDF version is clean, stable, and easier to share or reference. It also plays a key role in how I use AI. Most AI tools work better with static documents. Once the report is in PDF form, I can feed it into ChatGPT or Claude and prompt it to help analyze performance, highlight changes, and suggest next steps.
Exporting is not just for convenience. It is part of the process. If I want reliable insights, I need a format that loads quickly and plays well with the tools I use to evaluate progress and strategy.
Which AI Is Better for Analyzing a Looker Studio PDF: Claude or ChatGPT?
Both Claude and ChatGPT can handle PDF analysis, but they work a little differently. I have tested both with exported Looker Studio reports, and while each has strengths, one tends to be better depending on what you need.
Claude handles long PDFs really well. It can read a full report in one go and summarize patterns without needing a bunch of follow-up prompts. That makes it useful when I want a quick overview or a clean write-up of performance trends. It is great for surfacing the big picture.
ChatGPT is stronger when I want to interact with the data. I can ask follow-up questions, dig deeper into specific pages, or compare multiple months. It feels more flexible when I need to bounce ideas around or test a theory.
If I had to pick one, I usually start with Claude to format the supplement, then move to ChatGPT for insight and planning.
How I Prompt AI Based on the Client and Their Goals
There is no one-size-fits-all supplement report. Every client is different. Some are marketers. Others are business owners. A few just want to know if they are getting leads. That is why I adjust my AI prompts based on who the client is, what they care about, and how technical they are.
When I am writing for someone who understands SEO, I’ll include terms like CTR, ranking volatility, and indexing issues. For clients who are less technical, I shift the focus to results they can relate to. Things like traffic trends, high-performing pages, or where opportunities are being missed. Budget also plays a role. A smaller business on a limited plan does not need ten new strategies. They need one or two next steps that will make a real impact.
The supplement report has to fit the client’s mindset and goals. AI helps shape the language and structure, but I still guide the message every time.
Why a Custom Looker Studio Report Is Just the Starting Point
The custom Looker Studio report gives me the full picture, but it is not the final product. It is where everything starts. From that report, I extract what matters, shape it for the client, and turn it into something they will actually read and use. Without it, I would be guessing. With it, I have the data and structure I need to build real strategy.
However, most clients do not have the time or background to dig into a complex dashboard. That is exactly why I create the supplemental report. It connects the dots, shows progress, and lays out the next steps. Thanks to AI, I can do this faster and with more clarity than ever before.
In the end, the custom Looker Studio report is the foundation. The supplement is what brings it to life. Together, they make the reporting process feel more useful and way less overwhelming.
How a Custom Looker Studio Report Helps With SEO Strategy
A custom Looker Studio report is not just about showing data. It plays a key role in shaping the SEO strategy. When I can see GA4, Search Console, and keyword rankings all in one place, it becomes much easier to understand what is working and where things are falling short. That kind of clarity helps me make better decisions, faster.
For example, if organic traffic looks steady but conversions are dropping, I can drill into which pages lost momentum and why. If certain keywords are rising in rank but not getting clicks, I know it is time to update the content or metadata. These patterns help me build next steps that are actually based on evidence.
The report gives me a consistent foundation each time I plan. Without it, strategy turns into guesswork. With it, I can focus on what matters most and move the campaign forward.
What My Custom Looker Studio Report and AI Supplement Look Like
To show how this process works in real life, I am including a sample of both reports. First is the custom Looker Studio report. This is the full data set that pulls from GA4, Search Console, and SE Ranking. It includes traffic trends, keyword movement, top-performing pages, and technical signals. I use this as the foundation for everything else.
Next is the supplement report. This is what the client actually sees. It is created using a custom AI prompt that focuses on progress, current challenges, and what to do next. The goal is to translate complex data into clear strategy. While the Looker Studio report holds all the details, the supplement turns it into something simple and useful.
Seeing both side by side makes it easier to understand how the system works and why each piece plays a different role.
Final Thoughts and Why This Matters for ShaneWebGuy Clients
Most agencies send out templated reports that never get read. At ShaneWebGuy, the process is different. Every client gets a custom Looker Studio report that is built around their specific goals and performance data. Once that is in place, we use AI to turn the raw numbers into a strategy that is clear, actionable, and realistic.
This is not about showing off charts or dumping stats. It is about helping clients make better decisions. With this system, we go beyond reporting and actually shape next steps that align with each client’s goals and resources.
If you are looking for real insights and a team that builds strategy from data, not just guesses, this is the level of detail you can expect from working with ShaneWebGuy.
How do I create a custom field in Looker Studio?
Custom fields allow you to create new dimensions or metrics from existing data. They help tailor the report to your unique business needs.
How do I build a dashboard in Looker Studio?
Start with a clear goal, then organize your data into sections like traffic, keywords, and content performance. Keep the layout simple and focused.
Can you embed a Looker Studio report?
Yes, you can embed reports on your website or internal dashboards. I usually export mine to PDF for better performance and AI analysis.
What is the most flexible way to modify a Looker Studio report?
The easiest way is to use filters, date controls, and reusable templates. A modular setup helps you update reports without starting over.
How do I make Looker Studio look better?
Use consistent colors, limit the number of charts per page, and group related data together. A clean layout makes insights easier to see.
Is Google Data Studio the same as Looker Studio?
Yes, Looker Studio is the new name for Google Data Studio. It still works the same way but has a new name and some added features.
How do I create a custom dimension in Looker Studio?
You can define custom dimensions by using calculated fields. This is helpful when you need to group or segment data in a specific way.
How do you create a data report template?
Once your layout and metrics are set, you can save your Looker Studio report as a template and reuse it across clients or campaigns.
How do I use AI with a Looker Studio report?
I export the report as a PDF and use AI tools to summarize trends, evaluate performance, and generate next steps based on client goals.
