Verify Website in Google Search Console

Learn how to verify your website in Google Search Console using methods like HTML file upload, meta tags, DNS records or Google Analytics.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and include a straightforward tutorial on How to verify your website in Google Search Console so you can unlock all platform features and insights for your SEO journey.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in local SEO services, helping businesses improve their visibility on Google and strengthen their online presence. One of the most important steps in managing your website’s SEO performance is verifying it in Google Search Console. This free tool allows you to monitor how your site performs in Google Search, identify technical issues, and optimise for better rankings. Verifying your website gives you access to essential data and confirms that you are the authorised owner of the domain.

What Is Google Search Console

Google Search Console (GSC) is a free analytics and monitoring tool provided by Google. It helps website owners understand how their site appears in search results, which keywords drive traffic, and whether there are any errors affecting visibility.

By verifying your website, you gain access to features such as:

  • Search performance data and keyword reports.

  • Indexing status and crawl statistics.

  • Mobile usability insights.

  • Security and manual action alerts.

Verification ensures that only authorised users can access this information and make changes related to your domain.

Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console

To start, go to Google Search Console and sign in using your Google account. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create it first.

Once logged in, click Add Property in the top-left corner. You’ll then see two options for adding your website:

  1. Domain property: Covers all URLs across subdomains and protocols (e.g., https, http, www, and non-www).

  2. URL prefix property: Tracks only the exact URL you enter (for example, https://yourdomain.com).

If you want comprehensive tracking, choose the Domain option. For smaller sites or specific sections, you can use URL prefix.

Step 2: Choose a Verification Method

Google offers several ways to verify ownership, depending on your website setup.

1. DNS Record Verification (Recommended for Domain Property)

If you selected the domain property option, you’ll need to add a DNS record to your domain host.

  1. Copy the TXT record provided by Google.

  2. Log in to your domain registrar or hosting account (such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Cloudflare).

  3. Go to DNS settings and add a new TXT record.

  4. Paste the verification code from Google into the record value field.

  5. Save the changes.

Return to Google Search Console and click Verify. It may take a few hours for DNS changes to update, but once complete, your property will be verified.

2. HTML File Upload (for URL Prefix Property)

This method is ideal if you have direct access to your website’s files.

  1. Download the HTML verification file provided by Google.

  2. Access your website via FTP or your hosting control panel.

  3. Upload the file to the root directory of your website (the main folder that contains your homepage).

  4. Go back to Google Search Console and click Verify.

If the file is uploaded correctly, Google will confirm ownership within seconds.

3. HTML Tag Method

If you can edit your website’s header, this is one of the easiest options.

  1. Copy the HTML tag provided by Google.

  2. Paste it inside the <head> section of your website’s homepage HTML.

  3. Save and publish your changes.

  4. Return to Search Console and click Verify.

For websites using WordPress, you can easily add this tag using an SEO plugin such as Rank Math or Yoast without manually editing code.

4. Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager

If you already use Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager, you can verify your site automatically.

  • For Google Analytics, make sure you’re using the same Google account and have tracking code access to the site.

  • For Google Tag Manager, ensure you have the container snippet installed on all pages.

In Search Console, choose the relevant method and click Verify. Google will automatically check for the existing code and confirm ownership.

Step 3: Wait for Verification

Once you’ve completed one of the methods above, Google will confirm verification almost instantly. For DNS-based methods, it might take up to 48 hours for changes to propagate across servers.

After verification, you’ll be able to see data in your dashboard within a few days.

Step 4: Set Up Key Settings

After verifying your site, it’s important to configure essential settings in Google Search Console:

  • Submit a sitemap: Go to the Sitemaps section and enter your sitemap URL (usually /sitemap.xml). This helps Google crawl your site more efficiently.

  • Check indexing: Use the “URL Inspection” tool to ensure Google can access and index your important pages.

  • Monitor coverage: The Coverage report shows which pages are indexed and highlights errors that may affect rankings.

Regularly reviewing this data helps identify and fix issues before they impact your visibility.

Common Verification Issues

Sometimes verification can fail, especially if the setup isn’t done correctly. Common causes include:

  • Entering the wrong URL or using the wrong property type.

  • Forgetting to save DNS or HTML changes before verifying.

  • Removing verification files or tags after setup.

To fix issues, double-check your method and ensure the verification code or file remains in place. If you make future updates to your website or hosting, reverify your property to maintain access.

Why Verification Is Important for SEO

Verification isn’t just a technical step—it’s the foundation for effective SEO. Once verified, you can:

  • Identify which keywords bring users to your site.

  • Spot pages that perform well or need improvement.

  • Fix crawl errors that prevent pages from appearing in search results.

  • Submit new pages for faster indexing.

These insights allow you to make data-driven decisions that improve visibility and rankings over time.

Maintaining Access and Security

After verifying your website, you can grant access to other team members or SEO professionals. In the Search Console settings, go to Users and Permissions to add new users with the appropriate access level.

Always review permissions periodically to maintain security, especially if you change agencies or staff.

Final Thoughts

Verifying your website in Google Search Console is a simple but vital step in managing your online visibility. It unlocks valuable insights into how your site performs in search results and helps you identify opportunities for optimisation.

By taking the time to complete verification properly, you’ll ensure Google can index your pages effectively and that you have full access to the data needed to improve your local SEO strategy.

At Lillian Purge, we help businesses set up and optimise tools like Google Search Console to track performance, fix issues, and increase visibility.

If you want to make your website more visible and attract more local customers, get in touch today.

We have also written in depth articles on How to use the URL inspection tool effectively and How to Use Google Search Console as well as our Google Search Console Hub to give you further guidance.