How to Connect Google Search Console to Your Website: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for All Major Platforms

Step 1: Create a Google Search Console Account

Set Up Your Account:

1. Go to Google Search Console
2. Click “Start Now”
3. Sign in with your Google account (or create one if you don’t have one)

Add Your Property:

You’ll be asked to choose a property type. Here are your options:

Domain Property (Recommended for most users

• Verifies your entire domain (www and non-www, http and https, all subdomains)
• Example: example.com includes www.example.com, blog.example.com, etc.
• Requires DNS verification – you’ll add a TXT record to your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
• Best for: Anyone who wants comprehensive data across their entire site

URL Prefix Property

• Verifies only the specific URL you enter
• Example: https://www.example.com (won’t include http://example.com orsubdomains)
• Multiple verification methods available – HTML file upload, HTML tag, Google
• Analytics, Google Tag Manager
• Best for: Those who want simpler verification or need to track specific versions of their site separately

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Domain if:

• You want complete data for your entire website
• You’re comfortable adding DNS records (or have someone who can help)
• You want to verify once and be done

Choose URL Prefix if:

• You want the quickest, easiest verification
• You only need to track one specific version of your site
• You already have Google Analytics or Tag Manager installed

Step 2: Verify Ownership of Your Website

This is the crucial step. You must prove to Google that you own the website. Choose the
verification method that works best for your platform and technical comfort level

Verification Methods by Platform

WordPress

Method 1: SEO Plugin (Easiest – Recommended)

Using Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or All in One SEO:

1. In Google Search Console:

• Choose URL Prefix property type
• Enter your website URL (e.g., https://www.yoursite.com)
• Click Continue
• Select HTML tag verification method
• Copy the meta tag code (looks like: <meta name=”google-site-verification” content=”your-code-here” />)

2. In WordPress:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard
• Navigate to your SEO plugin settings:
  • Yoast SEO: SEO → General → Webmaster Tools
  • Rank Math: Rank Math → General Settings → Webmaster Tools
  • All in One SEO: All in One SEO → General Settings → Webmaster Tools
• Find the Google Search Console field
• Paste ONLY the verification code (the part inside content=”…”)
• Click Save Changes

3. Back in Google Search Console:

• Click Verify
• Success! You’re connected.

Time required: 5 minutes

Method 2: Google Site Kit Plugin (Great for Beginners)

Site Kit is Google’s official WordPress plugin that connects multiple Google tools at
once.

1. Install Site Kit:

• Go to Plugins → Add New
• Search for “Site Kit by Google”
• Click Install Now, then Activate

2. Connect to Google:

• Follow the setup wizard
• Sign in with your Google account
• Grant permissions
• Site Kit will automatically verify Search Console for you

3. View Data:

• Site Kit adds Search Console data directly to your WordPress dashboard
• No need to leave WordPress to check performance

Bonus: Site Kit also connects Google Analytics, PageSpeed Insights, and AdSense in one go.

Time required: 10 minutes

Method 3: HTML File Upload (For Advanced Users)

1. In Google Search Console:

• Choose verification method: HTML file upload
• Download the HTML verification file

2. Upload to WordPress:

• Use FTP (FileZilla, Cyberduck) or your hosting file manager
• Navigate to /public_html/ or /www/ directory
• Upload the HTML file to the root directory
• The file should be accessible at: https://yoursite.com/google[unique-code].html

3. Verify:

• Back in Google Search Console, click Verify
• Keep the file on your server permanently

Time required: 10-15 minutes

Method 4: DNS Verification (Domain Property)

If you chose Domain property type

1. In Google Search Console:

• Copy the TXT record provided

2. Go to Your Domain Registrar:

• Log into where you bought your domain (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
• Find DNS Settings or DNS Management
• Add a new TXT record:
  • Host/Name: @ (or leave blank)
  • Value: Paste the code from Google Search Console
  • TTL: Use default (usually 3600 or Auto)
• Save changes

3. Wait and Verify:

• DNS changes can take up to 48 hours (usually much faster)
• Return to Google Search Console
• Click Verify

Time required: 15 minutes + DNS propagation time

Squarespace

HTML Tag Method (Recommended):

1. In Google Search Console:

• Choose URL Prefix property
• Enter your Squarespace URL
• Select HTML tag verification
• Copy the entire meta tag

2. In Squarespace:

• Go to Settings → Advanced → External API Keys
• Scroll to Google Search Console
• Paste the verification code only (the content inside content=”…”)
• Click Save

3. Verify:

• Return to Google Search Console
• Click Verify

Time required: 5 minutes

Wix

Built-in Integration (Easiest):

1. In Wix Dashboard:

• Go to Settings → Marketing Integrations → Google Search Console
• Click Connect to Google Search Console
• Sign in with your Google account
• Wix automatically handles verification

2. Alternative – Manual Method:

• Copy HTML tag from Google Search Console
• In Wix: Settings → SEO Tools → Site Verification
• Paste the verification code
• Save and verify

Time required: 5 minutes

Webflow

HTML Tag Method:

1. In Google Search Console

• Choose URL Prefix property
• Copy the HTML meta tag

2. In Webflow:

• Go to Project Settings → SEO
• Scroll to Google Site Verification
• Paste the verification code (content value only)
• Click Save
• Publish your site (important!)

3. Verify:

• Return to Google Search Console
• Click Verify

Time required: 5-10 minutes

Shopify

HTML Tag Method:

1. In Google Search Console

• Choose URL Prefix property
• Copy the HTML meta tag

2. In Shopify:

• Go to Online Store → Themes
• Click Actions → Edit Code on your active theme
• Find theme.liquid in the Layout folder
• Locate the </head> tag
• Paste the full meta tag just before </head>
• Click Save

3. Verify:

• Return to Google Search Console
• Click Verify

Time required: 10 minutes

Other Popular Platforms

Weebly

• Site Settings → SEO → Header Code
• Paste HTML meta tag
• Save and publish

Wix

• Settings → Marketing Integrations → Google Search Console
• Follow connection wizard

BigCommerce

• Advanced Settings → Data Solutions → Google Verification
• Paste verification code
• Save

Drupal

• Use Site Verification module
• Or add meta tag to html.html.twig template

Joomla

• Add meta tag via template’s index.php
• Or use Custom HTML module in template header

Ghost

• Go to Settings → Code Injection
• Paste meta tag in Site Header
• Save

Webflow

• Project Settings → SEO → Google Site Verification
• Paste code and publish

Step 3: Submit Your Sitemap

Once verified, submit your sitemap so Google knows all your pages.

What is a Sitemap?

A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website, helping Google find and index them
more efficiently.

Find Your Sitemap URL:

Most platforms auto-generate sitemaps:

• WordPress: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml or
• https://yoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml
• Squarespace: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml
• Wix: Auto-submitted (nothing to do!)
• Webflow: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml
• Shopify: https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml

Submit Your Sitemap:

1. In Google Search Console, go to Sitemaps (in the left menu)
2. Enter your sitemap URL (just the part after your domain: sitemap.xml)
3. Click Submit
4. Status should show “Success” within a few minutes

WordPress tip: If using Yoast SEO or Rank Math, they create enhanced XML sitemaps automatically. Check their settings for the exact URL.

Step 4: Set Up URL Inspection (Optional but Useful)

Want Google to index a new page immediately?

1. In Google Search Console, use the URL Inspection tool (top search bar)
2. Enter the full URL of your new page
3. Click Request Indexing
4. Google will crawl and index it within hours instead of days

Step 5: Configure Important Settings

Set Your Preferred Domain (if using URL Prefix):

1. Go to Settings (gear icon)
2. Under Property Settings, check your preferred domain is set correctly
3. This ensures Google knows whether you prefer www or non-www

Link to Google Analytics:

If you use Google Analytics:

1. Go to Settings → Associations
2. Link your GA4 property
3. This provides enhanced data insights

What Happens After Verification?

Immediate:

• Google confirms you own the site
• You can submit sitemaps
• You can request indexing

Within 24-48 Hours:

• Data starts appearing in reports
• Search performance data becomes available
• Coverage reports show indexing status

Within 1-2 Weeks:

• Full historical data appears (up to 16 months)
• All reports populate completely
• You’ll start seeing keyword insights

How to Use Google Search Console (Quick Guide)

Key Reports to Check Regularly:

1. Performance Report

• See which search terms bring traffic
• Track clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position
• Identify opportunities to improve rankings

2. Coverage Report (Index → Pages)

• Shows which pages are indexed
• Alerts you to errors preventing indexing
• Helps you fix technical issues

3. Mobile Usability

• Identifies mobile-friendly issues
• Critical since most searches are mobile

4. Core Web Vitals

• Measures page speed and user experience
• Important ranking factor

5. Links Report

• Shows who’s linking to your site
• Helps you understand your backlink profile

Troubleshooting Common Issues

“Verification Failed”

Solutions:

• Clear your browser cache and try again
• Make sure you saved changes in your website platform
• Wait 24 hours for DNS changes to propagate
• Check that verification code is placed correctly
• Ensure you published/saved your website after adding code

“Sitemap Could Not Be Read”

Solutions:

• Check the URL is correct (look for typos)
• Ensure your sitemap is publicly accessible (not password protected)
• Check your sitemap is valid at xml-sitemaps.com
• Wait a few hours and resubmit

“No Data Yet”

Solutions:

• Wait 24-48 hours for data to populate
• Ensure your site has traffic (Search Console only shows data when you have search impressions)
• Check that pages are actually indexed (use Index → Pages report)

“Property Not Verified”

Solutions:

• Check verification hasn’t expired (re-verify if needed)
• Ensure verification code/file hasn’t been removed
• Try an alternative verification method

Best Practices After Setup

Weekly Tasks:

• Check for new issues in Coverage report
• Monitor performance trends

Monthly Tasks:

• Review top-performing pages
• Identify declining pages and fix issues
• Check for new manual actions
• Review mobile usability

As Needed:

• Submit new pages for indexing
• Test site changes with URL inspection
• Monitor after major website updates

Advanced Tips

Set Up Email Notifications:

• Go to Settings → Users and Permissions
• Ensure email notifications are enabled
• Google will alert you to critical issues

Add Other Users:

• Add your SEO consultant, developer, or team members
• Choose appropriate permission levels (Owner, Full, or Restricted)

Use Filters in Performance Report:

• Filter by device (mobile vs desktop)
• Compare date ranges
• Export data for deeper analysis

Need Help?

Setting up Google Search Console can feel technical, but it’s worth it. Once connected, you’ll
have invaluable insights into how people find your website.

Still stuck?

We offer a Google Tools Setup service where we’ll install and configure Google Search Console,
Google Analytics, and teach you how to use them—all done for you.

Next Steps

Now that Google Search Console is connected:

1. Wait 48 hours for initial data to populate
2. Submit your sitemap (if you haven’t already)
3. Set up Google Analytics (if you haven’t) for complete website insights
4. Bookmark Search Console and check it weekly
5. Learn the basics of reading your Performance report

Congratulations! You’ve just taken a major step toward understanding and improving your website’s search performance. Google Search Console will now be your go-to tool for SEO insights and troubleshooting.

Questions? Drop us a comment below or contact us for hands-on help setting up your Google Tools on your website.