Do y'all want to add together your site to Google Search Console? Earlier Google lets you lot add your site, view its analytics, or submit its sitemap, it asks you to verify your site ownership.

Essentially, Google site verification is about proving that yous own the site. Hence, y'all demand to complete the Google Search Panel verification process before managing your sites through Google tools.

Thankfully, this process is pretty uncomplicated, and there's a multifariousness of ways to verify your website with Google Search Console. This postal service will cover nine different Google site verification methods, including manual ones and WordPress plugins.

Let's get started!

5 Manual Methods for Google Site Verification

These transmission Google site verification methods work for all websites, including WordPress sites.

To become started, access your Google Search Console dashboard. From here, you can open your property listing to the left and click Add property to verify a new website:

Adding a property to Google Search Console with an arrow pointing to the "Add property" button.
Adding a property to Google Search Console.

Search Panel will inquire y'all to select a property type. You tin enter a domain or a URL prefix. If yous enter a domain proper name, you'll be able to verify your website via DNS. The URL prefix method volition let you choose between four verification methods:

Selecting a property type in Search Console with the "Domain" option in focus.
Selecting a belongings type in Search Panel.

Either approach works just fine when it comes to site verification. Even so, we recommend the URL prefix method because it gives you more options.

The post-obit section volition explore the four verification methods you can use to select the URL prefix property type. Then we'll show you how to verify your website via DNS at the end (the Domain option). Go ahead and enter your site'due south URL nether the URL prefix and click on Continue.

Before Google lets you add your site, view its analytics, or submit its sitemap, it asks y'all to verify your site ownership ✅ Learn how to practise that with this guide 👇 Click to Tweet

ane. HTML Verification File

With this method, you need to upload an HTML file to the root directory of your website. It's simple, just the downside is that you will demand access to your server to upload the file, either via FTP/SFTP clients or something like cPanel File Director.

Step ane: Download the Verification File

After you add your site to Google Search Console, you should run across an choice to download an HTML verification file in the Recommended verification method tab:

A window showing the option to download a verification file from Google Search Console.
Download a verification file from Google Search Console.

Click on the button adjacent to Download the file. Salve this file somewhere you'll recall — you'll need it in a minute.

Stride ii: Upload the File via SFTP

Next, y'all'll need to connect to your website via FTP/SFTP. Hither are instructions for how to use SFTP at Kinsta.

Once you lot've successfully connected, upload the file that yous downloaded from Google to the root folder of your site (this is the folder that contains the wp-content folder, wp-config.php, etc.) At Kinsta, this folder is named public.

Afterwards uploading the file, it should look something like this:

An SFTP application open to show a file transfer with an arrow pointing to an example .html file.
Upload verification file via FTP/SFTP.

Once the file is in your site's root binder, render to Google Search Console. It'south fourth dimension to verify your property.

Step iii: Click the Verify Button in Google Search Console

Once yous've uploaded the file to your site, go back to Google Search Console and click on the VERIFY push to complete the procedure. Google Search Panel volition locate the file on your server and verify that you own the website.

Yous tin utilize that same method to verify the Kinsta Content Delivery Network (CDN) with Google Search Console. Verifying your CDN on Google Search Console will enable the search engine to crawl and index your images.

2. HTML Tag

With the HTML tag method, you need to add a simple meta tag to your site'southward <head> section. If you're using WordPress, you can do this by:

  • Adding the tag directly to your kid theme's header.php file
  • Using a plugin to inject it into the header

We'll show you how to do this using the plugin method, only it'southward also OK to add it directly to your theme as long as y'all're using a child theme (if you don't use a child theme, you'll lose your Google site verification every time you update your theme).

Step one: Re-create the Meta Tag

To find the meta tag, y'all tin can go to the Other verification methods section in the Google Search Console interface:

The HTML meta tag window showing highlighted boxes around "HTML tag" and the resultant tag code.
The HTML meta tag.

Use the COPY button to copy the meta tag in the box. Now, permit's go ahead and add it to your WordPress website.

Step 2: Add the Meta Tag Using Insert Headers And Footers

Next, you lot can install the free Insert Headers and Footers plugin on your site. Navigate to Settings > Insert Headers and Footers and paste the meta tag in the Scripts in Header box:

The WordPress option to add an HTML meta tag to Insert Headers and Footers plugin, with an arrow pointing at the menu option.
Add HTML meta tag to Insert Headers and Footers plugin.

Click on Save to save the changes to your website's header, and that's information technology. You tin besides add the meta tag manually, just we recommend the plugin approach if you're not comfortable editing WordPress core files.

To stop the process, become back to the Google Search Console interface and click on the VERIFY push. If you lot added the code to your website, Google Search Console would be able to place it.

3. Google Analytics

If y'all already have the Google Analytics asynchronous tracking code installed on your site, y'all tin can easily verify your site using Google Analytics. This process boils downwards to two unproblematic steps:

  1. Select Google Analytics under Other verification methods.
  2. Click on VERIFY.
The Google Analytics verify account screen with a highlight box around the "Verify" button.
Google Analytics account verification screen.

If you added Google Analytics to WordPress using a plugin, the tracking code should be on your homepage. That means that yous can go alee and use this method.

iv. Google Tag Managing director

Just similar Google Analytics, if you're already using Google Tag Manager, you can verify your site with merely a single click. You'll need to have the Google Tag Managing director container snippet active on your site.

Over again, at that place's no deep or involved procedure necessary. Here'due south all y'all need to practise:

  1. Select Google Tag Manager under Other verification methods.
  2. Click on VERIFY.
The screen to verify your Google Tag Manager account with the "Verify" button highlighted by a box.
The screen to verify your Google Tag Manager account.

If you're using Google Tag Managing director, this method will enable yous to verify your website on Search Panel almost immediately.

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5. DNS Verification

If you want to verify your website using the Domain method, yous'll demand to add a TXT record to your domain's DNS configuration. Hither's what that verification window looks like:

TXT record highlighted for verifying ownership via DNS
Google DNS Verification Modal

If you're using Kinsta DNS, you lot can add this TXT tape direct from your MyKinsta dashboard.

First, click on the Kinsta DNS selection. And then, select Manage for the site that you lot desire to verify with Google Search Console:

The Kinsta DNS option from the MyKinsta dashboard with an arrow pointing at the "Manage" button.
The Kinsta DNS option from the MyKinsta dashboard.

Next, yous tin can click on Add DNS Record and select the TXT choice under Blazon. Add your Google Search Console TXT record under Content:

The window for adding a TXT record through MyKinsta with an arrow pointing at the "Add DNS Record" button.
Add together TXT record at Kinsta.

Keep in mind that this process will vary depending on which domain provider you're using. If yous desire to transfer your domain name to Kinsta to manage information technology using our DNS, yous tin can follow these instructions.

iv WordPress Plugins to Help With Google Site Verification

If you're using a WordPress SEO plugin, there's a skillful take chances that your plugin of choice offers an piece of cake tool to aid with Google site verification. We'll show you lot how to do it with the three popular WordPress SEO tools and ane plugin directly from Google.

half-dozen. Yoast SEO

To complete the Google Search Console verification process with Yoast SEO, you lot tin outset by going to SEO > General in your WordPress dashboard and selecting the Webmaster Tools tab.

Next, find the Google verification code field and add the code that yous tin can go from Google Search Console:

Google site verification in Yoast SEO in WordPress with a highlight box around the "Google verification code" form label.
Google site verification in Yoast SEO.

To find your Google Search Panel verification code, y'all can follow these iii steps:

  1. Navigate to the Other verification methods section in the Google Search Console interface.
  2. Select the HTML tag pick.
  3. Copy the unabridged tag. Yoast SEO will automatically strip out the extra details, leaving merely the lawmaking.
The window for finding your HTML tag for your Google verification code.
Where to find Google verification code.

At present y'all can add the code to your Yoast SEO settings page and relieve the changes to information technology. Render to the HTML tag tab in Google Search Console and click on the VERIFY button.

7. SEOPress

To verify your site in Google Search Console with the SEOPpress plugin, go to the SEOPress > Advanced section in your WordPress dashboard. Here, scroll down to find the Google search verification entry.

SEOPress Advanced settings simplify the Google site verification process.
SEOPress simplifies the Google site verification procedure.

Yous need to enter your Google site verification HTML meta tag here. It'll look something like this: <meta name="google-site-verification" content="......." />. Add your site verification meta tag and save the changes.

Nosotros've discussed how to become this meta tag for your site (or "property" as Google calls information technology) in the HTML Tag section above.

Now, the plugin will automatically add this HTML tag to all your site's pages.

Finally, click on the VERIFY push button under the HTML tag section in Google Search Console.

8. Rank Math SEO

If yous're using the Rank Math SEO plugin, you can verify your website in Google Search Console by going to Rank Math > General Settings > Webmaster Tools in your dashboard. Hither, yous'll see a field that reads Google Search Console, which is where your Search Console verification code goes:

Adding the Search Console verification code to Rank Math with a highlight box around where the input should go.
Adding the Search Panel verification lawmaking to Rank Math.

To find that verification code, you can follow the exact instructions as with other WordPress SEO plugins. Navigate to the Other verification methods section in the Google Search Panel interface, and then select the HTML tag option. After you copy the entire tag, Rank Math volition automatically identify the verification code.

Adjacent, render to Google Search Console and click the VERIFY button under the HTML tag. Search Console should recognize your website now.

9. Site Kit by Google

The Site Kit by Google plugin enables you to connect your WordPress website with Google services with only a few clicks. It's an official plugin, and you tin can utilize it for free.

In one case y'all install and actuate the plugin, navigate to Site Kit > Dashboard in your dashboard and select the SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE option:

Signing in with Google through the Site Kit plugin.
Signing in with Google through the Site Kit plugin.

Google volition prompt yous to verify website ownership and to connect it with Search Console. To proceed, click on Sign in with Google once again:

The Site Kit setup wizard welcome screen that says
The Site Kit setup magician.

If y'all have multiple Google accounts, you'll be able to choose which 1 you want to use for the Search Console account continued with your website. Google will ask you to confirm that you're comfortable with Site Kit having access to the post-obit types of data:

A list of Site Kit permission requirements with options to "Allow" or "Cancel".
An overview of Site Kit'due south permissions.

Afterward you click on Allow, Site Kit volition ask you to confirm site buying for Google Search Console. Site Kit does this by adding a bit of HTML code to your website. All that you have to do is select Proceed:

The option to enable Site Kit to verify that you own your website with an arrow pointing to the "Proceed" button.
Enable Site Kit to verify that you own your website.

Moving on, Site Kit volition ask you for permission to and your Google account data and display it on your dashboard. Click the Allow button once again. Then you'll encounter a success message telling you lot that your website is verified on Google Search Panel:

A Site Kit setup success message saying
A Site Kit setup success message.

When you return to your Site Kit dashboard in WordPress, you'll run across that information technology'south connected to Google Search Console. A new Site Kit > Search Console tab will announced in your dashboard, giving y'all access to data from within your website.

Which Method Should You Use?

Calculation a website to Google Search Console takes only seconds. However, information technology would assistance if y'all verified that you own the site, which can vary in complication depending on your chosen verification method.

If you're using Google Analytics or Tag Director, you already take some Google code on your site. Google Search Console should identify that code and verify your website without yous needing to add anything else to it. Alternatively, you tin can add an HTML file, include a tag, or use DNS verification (the best approach if y'all don't want to add more than lawmaking to your site).

Finally, if you're using a WordPress SEO plugin, the nearly pop options include Google Search Console verification features. Those will help you verify your website. All you have to do is enter a verification code.

Ready to accept on the Google Search Console verification process? 👀 Start here ⬇️ Click to Tweet

Summary

Congratulations! You lot now know all you need to get started with your Google site verification.

Just remember that Google volition periodically bank check on your site'southward verification. No matter which method you lot choose, information technology's essential to get out that method in identify — you cannot remove it after confirmation.

It's at present time to start scaling your website traffic.

Do you have any other questions about the Google Search Console verification process? Leave a comment, and we'll attempt to help!


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