Verify Your Website on Google: A Guide
You might have heard of Google Site Verification if you own a website. But what is it exactly, and why is it important for your online presence? This article will explain what Google Site Verification is, how it works, and how it can benefit you as a website owner.
What is Google Site Verification?
Google Site Verification is a process that confirms that you are the owner of a website or a web property. Verifying your domain allows you to access Google Search Console tools.
With Google Search Console, you can:
- See how your site performs in Google search, such as how often it appears, what queries it ranks for, and how many clicks it gets.
- Identify and fix issues that affect your site’s crawlability, indexability, and usability, such as broken links, duplicate content, mobile-friendliness, and loading speed.
- Submit sitemaps and request indexing for new or updated pages.
- Receive alerts and notifications about your site’s critical issues or security threats.
- Learn more about your site’s audience, such as location, device, and behaviour.
- Compare your site’s performance with other sites in your industry or niche.
Verification Methods
You can verify your site with Google through various methods.
- DNS Record
Sign in to your domain name provider (such as GoDaddy or Namecheap) via the verification wizard and verify your ownership through them. This method works for domains that are registered with a supported provider. If your provider is not supported, follow the instructions in the wizard. - HTML File Upload
You upload a specific file provided by Google to your site’s root directory. This method works for most types of sites and domains. - HTML tag
You add a specific meta tag provided by Google to the <head> section of your site’s homepage. This method works for sites that allow you to edit your pages’ HTML code. - Google Analytics
You use your existing Google Analytics tracking code to verify your ownership. This method works for sites that already have Google Analytics installed on them. - Google Tag Manager
You use your existing Google Tag Manager container ID to verify your ownership. This method works for sites that already have Google Tag Manager installed on them.
How do you verify your site with Google?
Here are the steps to verify your site with Google.
Open your Google Search Console account and click Add Property in the Properties list.
If it’s your first time adding a property to Google Search Console, you will be guided by a wizard.
Select the property type that you want to create. Your options are domain property or URL Prefix property.
Enter the domain name or URL of the site you want to verify and click “Continue”.
If you select domain property, you can only verify using Domain Name Provider/DNS Record.
You can use any verification methods discussed if you choose a URL prefix.
Choose the verification method that suits your site best and follow the instructions provided by the verification wizard. You can also check Google’s documentation for more information.
Once you complete the verification process, click “Verify” to confirm ownership.
Google site verification is essential to make the most of your online presence. It allows you to access various tools to help improve your website.
Remember to keep your verification status current, especially if you make changes to your website’s domain or management.