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Setting up Google Search Console is an important step for website owners and SEO professionals aiming to optimize their online presence. This powerful tool by Google offers detailed performance metrics like clicks and impressions. This enabling you to identify high performing keywords and optimize underperforming content.
When managing a personal blog, a business website, or an Ecommerce platform, configuring GSC correctly is essential to maximizing your SEO efforts. This read explores all the setup methods to help you utilize the full potential of GSC easily. Let’s get started!
How to Set Up Google Search Console
The Google Search Console setup process involves three essential steps. We will explain these steps in detail to ensure a smooth setup experience. Read on to understand the complete Search Console setup process!
1. Sign In to Google Search Console
The initial step in setting up GSC is to visit its website and sign in with your Google account. If you already have a Google account, you are good to go.
For those without an account, creating one is your starting point. Once logged in, the next step is adding your website and verifying ownership. Keep in mind that simply logging in doesn’t give you access to GSC’s full functionality. You must complete the verification process to access all features.
2. Add Your Website as a Property
Once you have signed into Google Search Console, the next step is to add your website as a property. In GSC, a property refers to the entity you want to track. It is usually a website or a mobile app. As a first time user, you will be prompted to add a property immediately after logging in. GSC offers two methods to do this:
Domain Property:
This option tracks all variations of your domain. It is generally the preferred method as it provides extensive data and is easier to manage.
URL Prefix Property:
This method requires adding each variation of your site separately. It is more time consuming but can be useful for tracking specific sections of a site. For most users, the domain property is the better choice due to its simplicity and thoroughness.
3. Verify your site
After adding your site, the next step is to confirm your ownership. The verification process varies depending on whether you chose the domain or URL prefix method in the previous step. Here’s how to verify each option.
Verifying via Domain
To verify your site using your domain, you will need to work with your domain name service provider. When prompted by Search Console to verify your site, a drop down menu of DNS providers will appear. If your provider is listed, select it for detailed, provider specific instructions.
Follow the instructions provided by your DNS provider to verify your domain. Generally, the process will look like this:
1. Click “Copy” next to the TXT record provided by GSC.
2. Log in to your DNS provider’s website.
3. Access the domain you wish to verify in GSC.
4. Navigate to your domain management screen and add a new DNS record.
5. Select “TXT” as the record type.
6. Enter “@” in the “Host” field.
7. Paste the TXT record you copied into the provided field.
8. Click “Save” and then return to Search Console to click “Verify.”
Once completed, you should receive a success notification in GSC confirming your site is verified. Keep in mind, the process may take up to 72 hours. Wait sometime before concluding it didn’t work.
Verifying a URL Prefix
You can use multiple ways to verify using URL Prefix. HTML file upload, Meta tag, Google Analytics, and Google Tag Manager. These properties let users find out the subsections of a website.
Verifying the Website by adding an HTML tag
1. Choose the URL Prefix property and add your website URL.
2. If the HTML tag isn’t suggested, go to Other Verification Methods and select it.
3. Copy the unique Meta tag provided.
1. Paste it into your homepage’s head tag before the </head> tag.
2. Ensure the tag is within the first 2MB of the HTML file.
3. Click “Verify” in the Search Console.
GSC will check for the Meta tag, and if it’s missing, you will receive an error notification.
Verifying website by uploading an HTML File
To verify your website ownership using an HTML file, enter your website URL in the URL Prefix property field as it appears in the browser’s address bar. Then:
1. Expand the HTML section and download the provided file.
2. Upload it to your website’s root directory.
3. Click “Verify” in Google Search Console.
Verifying website using Google Analytics account
If you have access to both Google Search Console and Google Analytics using the same Google account, do as follows:
1. Ensure you have at least editing permission in Google Analytics.
2. Confirm your homepage is accessible without login and includes the latest Google Analytics snippet (analytics.js or gtag.js). Older snippets need updating.
3. Make sure the snippet is in the head section of your homepage and within the first 2MB of the HTML file.
1. In Google Search Console, log in with the same Google account.
2. Click “Add Property,” enter your website URL, and choose Google Analytics for verification.
3. Click “Verify” to complete the process. If done correctly, verification will be immediate.
Verifying website by using Google Tag Manager Account
To verify your website using Google Tag Manager, follow these steps:
1. Ensure you have Publish or Admin permissions for your container.
2. Log in to Google Search Console with the same account used for Google Tag Manager.
3. Confirm your homepage is accessible to users who are not logged in.
4. Place the Tag Manager code immediately after the opening <body> tag on your homepage, without inserting any content between the <body> tag and the code.
5. Do not modify the code, as any changes could invalidate it.
6. Check the page source to confirm the code is present.
Then, in Google Search Console:
1. Click Add Property and enter your website URL.
2. Select “Google Tag Manager” as the verification method.
3. Click “Verify” to complete the process.
Summing up
Now, you may wonder setting up Google Search Console is this simple. Follow these appropriate steps for your chosen verification method and ensure that Google can track and analyze your site to enhance your SEO strategy and website visibility.