How to Set Up Google Search Console

What is Google Search Console

Google Search Console, formally named Google Webmaster Tools, is a way for website owners to analyze, manage, and troubleshoot performance in Google search results.

Benefits of Using Search Console

Inform Google about which pages to crawl and index by submitting an XML Sitemap.
Ensure your pages are being indexed by Google
Instruct Google to crawl and index new/updated pages.
View how your pages are performing in Google search results.
You'll be informed of any manual actions that could be preventing your site from appearing in Google search.
You'll be alerted of any security issue.
View page speed analytics.
Track website schema (rich-snippets).

Advertisements

Creating your Search Console Property

To begin, go to Google Search Console and sign into your Google account. Then create a new property. You'll be given a choice between Domain and URL prefix.

Domain Property Type

This is the most ideal choice for most websites as it will cover all variants of the domain and subdomains. The only drawback is that the only way to verify is via a DNS TXT Record.

Enter your domain and select Continue

URL Prefix Property Type

The URL prefix property type will only target the given URL. This can be useful if you do not have access to your registrar or if you have a reason to segment out your Search Console properties. There are multiple ways to verify this property type.

Enter your URL and select Continue. If using a SSL certificate, remember to add the https protocol.

Advertisements

Search Console Property Verification Methods

DNS TXT Record Verification (Recommended)

Requirements: Access to your registrar (domain name provider).

When choosing this method you'll be presented with a few instructions for popular domain name providers. Select your provider and follow the onscreen instructions.

Otherwise, select Any DNS Provider then:

Copy the TXT Record provided in the instructions
Open your registrar in a new tab and log in.
Navigation to the list of domains you own and select the domain you wish to configure.
Location an option to add or manage your DNS records. This might be labeled as advanced.
Navigate to the TXT Record section.
Add the TXT Record provided by Google.
Save the setting
Return to Search Console and select Verify.

Example TXT Record Entry:

Please note that DNS changes are not instant. In fact it could take up to 72 hours for your settings to propagate. If it is not verified right away, then return in a few hours or the next day.

HTML Tag Verification

Requirements: Template Edit Access (Developer)

For this method, we will place a single tag on every page of your website.

Copy the tag provided by Google.
Log into your CMS (Wordpress, MODx, etc)
Go to your templates and fine where the <head> is located for you your website.
Paste in the Meta Tag provided by Google. It really doesn't matter where as long as it is below the GTM tags. I would suggest placing it below any other meta tags to keep things orgnized.
Save/Publish your template.
Go back to Search Console and select VERIFY. (verification should be instant)

Google Search Console HTML Tag Verification

HTML File Verification

Requirements: File Upload Privileges / FTP Access

All that is needed for this method is to upload a HTML file to the root folder of your website. DO NOT Rename or alter the file in any way or verification may not work.

Download the file provided by Google.
Access the root directory of your site and upload the file.
Return to to Search Console and select VERIFY. (verification should be instant)

Google Search Console HTML File Verification

Google Analytics Verification

Requirements: Edit access to the URLs Google Analytic property

The Google Analytics method is a very simple way to verify a URL. Edit permissions in Google Analytics is all that is needed. Simply click VERIFY and the property will be instantly verified if you have the proper permissions.

If choosing this method, I would suggest using the account held by the owner of the website to verify. This would avoid chances of the property become unverified due to permission changes.

Google Search Console - Google Analytics Verification

Google Tag Manager Verification

Requirements: Manager access to the URLs Tag Manager container

The Google Tag Manager method is very similar to the GA method. Manager permissions for the Tag Manager container is all that is needed. Simply click VERIFY and the property will be instantly verified if you have the proper permissions.

If choosing this method, I would suggest using the account held by the owner of the website to verify. This would avoid chances of the property become unverified due to permission changes.