If you’re interested in Search Engine Optimization, I’m sure you’ve heard of Google Search Console.
Google Search Console helps you measure your site’s Search traffic and performance, fix issues and make your site shine in Google Search results.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can set up Google Search Console on your website. Also, check out how you can leverage the various Google Search Console Reports~
![[Marketing Tips] How To Set Up Google Search Console In 3 Steps](https://www.nicolecw.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/How-To-Set-Up-Google-Search-Console-In-3-Steps.jpg)
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1. Sign In To Google Search Console
If you have a Google account (whether Gmail, Google Ads or Google Analytics), you can simply sign in to Google Search Console.
Note that this account will be a Verified Owner (since you’ll probably be the one verifying site ownership in a later step).
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2. Add A Website Property
There are 2 website property types
- Domain Property: Includes all subdomains (m, www) & multiple protocols (http, https, ftp)
- URL-Prefix Property: Includes only URLs with the specified prefix, including the protocol (http/https/www/m)
Do note that the verification methods available will also differ.
I strongly recommend that you set up a domain property so you capture all traffic to your website. You can then create URL-prefix properties for your mobile site, eCommerce store, blog section of your website.
3. Verify Your Site Ownership
To prove that you own your property, you’ll need to verify site ownership. There are a few ways to do this:
- Domain Name Provider (the only way to verify domain property!)
- HTML File
- HTML Tag
- Google Analytics
- Google Tag Manager
Just follow the instructions and you should be well on your way to verifying your website.
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Domain Name Provider or DNS
Since I created domain property, I’ll show you how I verified my site ownership via Domain Name Provider.
After choosing to verify via Domain Name Provider, a verification code is provided. It’ll begin with “google-site-verification” followed by an alphanumeric string containing alphabets and numbers.
Next, I went to my website hosting platform which is SiteGround. Check out my review on why I chose SiteGround after a year of in-depth research~
After opening Site Tools, click on Domain then DNS Zone Editor on the left menu. Under Create New Record, click the TXT tab. Leave the Name field empty and choose 1 hour for the TTL field. Now, simply paste the verification code into the Value field and click on Create.
When you return to Google Search Console, click Verify.
And you’re done!
HTML File
I also verified my URL-prefix property via HTML File.
After choosing this option, download the HTML file that Google Search Console provided.
Again, I went into the Site Tools of SiteGround. Under Site, click on File Manager. Next, click on public_html and simply upload the HTML file that was downloaded.
Return to Google Search Console and click Verify.
And you’re done~
HTML Tag
I didn’t verify via this method but if I were to do so, here are the steps I’ll take.
I’ll copy the HTML tag and paste it into Elegant Themes Divi Theme Options, my WordPress theme. Next, I’ll click on the Integration tab and add the code into the <head> section. This is also where I place the Google Tag Manager code (which includes Google Analytics).
Google Analytics & Google Tag Manager
These 2 options are slightly easier. As long as the Google Account that you’re using now has access to Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, you should be able to verify.
But do note that you must have
- Edit permission for Google Analytics
- Publish permission for Google Tag Manager
Photo by Lukas on Pexels
Bonus Step: Check Ownership Verification
It will take a while but you should see that verification is successful under your Google Search Console settings.
Now It’s Your Turn
Verifying your site ownership should be all right if you follow the instructions provided.
After setting up Google Search Console, you should be getting a wealth of data about your website’s performance.
Do check out my SEO 101 article on how to optimize your blog posts for Google~
