How to Connect Google Search Console to Your Website

Glen Pfaucht
May 27
4 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Google Search Console is a free tool that provides data about a website’s organic Google search impressions, clicks and position in the Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). In addition to this search performance data, Search Console also provides valuable insight into which URLs on your website Google has discovered, crawled, and indexed, along with insights about errors or warnings that might be limiting your search visibility.

What Is Google Search Console?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s talk basics. Google Search Console, formerly known as Webmaster Tools, is like your site’s direct line to Google. It’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s kind of like having Google’s ear. Want to know how your site’s showing up in search results? Curious what pages are being indexed? Which keywords are bringing in traffic? This is where you go. And connecting your website to it is easier than you might think.

Connecting With Google Search Console

Step 1: You’ll Need a Google Account

If you have Gmail, you’re already halfway there. Just head to search.google.com/search-console, log in with your Google account, and you’ll be greeted with a welcome screen.

Click “Start now.” Now you’re officially in!

Step 2: Domain vs. URL Prefix

Here’s where some people get tripped up. Google gives you two options:

Domain Property – This tracks everything across subdomains and protocols (like https://, http://, blog.yoursite.com, etc.)
URL Prefix – Just tracks a specific version (like only https://yoursite.com)

If you want full coverage, which, who doesn’t right? Then go with Domain Property. But if you’re only tracking one specific URL, that’s fine too, use URL prefix.

Now punch in your domain name and click "continue".

Google Search Console domain vs. URL prefix

Step 3: The Verification Game

Obviously Google’s not just going to hand over your site’s data without asking for some ID first. Fair enough right? So here are the most common ways to prove ownership:

DNS Record (for Domain Property) – Your domain host (like Namecheap or GoDaddy) has a dashboard. You’ll add a TXT record there. Here's how:
- Log into your domain registrar
- Find the DNS or Zone Editor
- Add a new TXT record using what Google gives you
- Save it, then head back and click “Verify”

Be patient. DNS changes can take a few minutes (or hours) to propagate. As a fan of making pizza, it’s kind of like waiting for dough to rise. It's annoying, but necessary.

GoDaddy adding the DNS value — Finally add the record.

HTML File Upload or Meta Tag (for URL Prefix) – This is the easier route for most people.
- Choose the HTML file option if you have access to your website’s root folder. Upload it via FTP, cPanel, or however you manage files.
- Alternatively, copy-paste a meta tag into your <head> section. (If you’re using WordPress, a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers makes this painless.)

Once it’s added, hit Verify.

Quick Side Note: If You're Using WordPress

WordPress can be a blessing of modern web design. If you’re using it you're in luck. Most SEO plugins like Yoast, Rank Math, or All in One SEO let you verify Search Console with just a snippet of code. Copy the meta tag Google gives you and paste it into the appropriate field. No manual coding, no sweat.

Step 4: Success! (But You're Not Quite Done)

If you’ve done everything right, you’ll get a sweet little confirmation message. You’re now officially “connected.” But note, it might take a day or two before data starts showing up. Don’t panic. That’s normal.

But while you wait, go ahead and:

Submit your sitemap (usually something like https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml)
Check for coverage issues (Google will let you know if it can’t index something)
Look at mobile usability (yes, your site should work on phones)

Why Is All This Important?

Connecting Google Search Console is all about understanding how people find you, where your site’s struggling, and what Google thinks of your pages. And yeah, that last part matters. A lot. If you’re running a business that's trying to build a blog, or just want to be found online, this is your control panel.

Troubleshooting: When It All Goes Sideways

Sometimes things break. DNS doesn’t update, verification fails, or your sitemap won’t load. Here’s what to do:

Still not verified after DNS update? Check that you copied the record exactly. Miss one character and it's a no-go.
Sitemap throwing errors? Make sure your robots.txt isn’t blocking it.
Seeing “Excluded” pages in coverage? Don’t stress. Google’s just being cautious, it doesn’t index everything right away.

If you're still stuck, I would be more than happy to help! Just send me a quick email and I will get you all set up.

In Closing: How to Connect Google Search Console to Your Website

So there you go. You’ve learned how to connect Google Search Console to your website, verified ownership, and (hopefully) didn’t throw your laptop out the window in the process.

Just remember, the more you use Search Console, the more it tells you. It’s like having a really smart friend who doesn’t sugarcoat things and always wants you to do better.

And hey, if you’ve made it this far, you’re already ahead of most website owners.

Now go peek at your performance report and start tweaking. You’ve got this!