Google Search Console (GSC) is a free service provided by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your website’s presence in Google Search results.
Think of it as a direct line of communication between your website and Google. GSC is really helpful for website owners, SEO specialists, and developers to understand how Google views their web pages.
What You Can Do With GSC:
- Monitor Organic Traffic: See exactly which search terms and keywords people use to find your website, how many times your website appears in searches (impressions), and your average ranking position.
- Track Index Status: Make sure Google can successfully find, crawl, and list your pages.
- Evaluate Core Web Vitals: Monitor your site’s speed and loading performance metrics to ensure your pages meet Google’s page experience signals for ranking.
- Fix Critical Errors: Get alerts if Google finds security threats (like malware), broken mobile layouts, or crawl errors.
- Submit Sitemaps: Tell Google exactly where all the pages on your website are so they get found faster.
How to Set Up Google Search Console
Before Google can show you any data, you have to prove that you own the website.
Here’s a guide to the verification process to get you started.
Log in and Add a Property (Website)
- Go to the Google Search Console home page and click Start Now.
- Log in with your Google Account.
- Click Add Property in the top-left menu. You’ll be given two choices:
- Domain (Left Side): Choose this if you have access to your domain provider/host. This tracks all versions of your site (with/without www, http, and https) under one single record.
- URL Prefix (Right Side): Choose this if you prefer to upload a file to your website’s directory using FTP, or if you use a locked-down website builder.
Choose Your Verification Method
Choose one of the following setup methods based on the property (website) type.
Option A: Verify via DNS Record (Domain Property)
This method requires adding a safe TXT record in your web host’s control panel (the platform where you bought your domain or manage your hosting, such as cPanel, GoDaddy, or SiteGround).
1. Add the Domain to GSC: Don’t include http or www.
In the Domain box on GSC, enter your domain (e.g., yoursite.com). Copy the long TXT record string of text that Google displays, and keep this tab open.
2. Open Your Host’s DNS Editor: Open in a new browser tab.
Log in to your hosting provider or registrar and locate the DNS Zone Editor, DNS Settings, or Manage DNS area. Here is where to find this on popular platforms:
- cPanel: Domains > Zone Editor > Manage
- GoDaddy: Select Domain > DNS > Manage Zones
- Siteground: Site Tools > Domain > DNS Zone Editor
- Cloudflare: Select Domain > DNS
- WIX: Domains > Click Three Dots (…) > Manage DNS Records
- Squarespace: Settings > Domains > Click your domain > DNS Records
3. Create the TXT Record: Be precise with the fields. Click Add New Record and enter the following settings:
- Type: TXT
- Name/Host: @ (Leave it blank if @ is not allowed)
- Value/Points to: Paste the TXT record you copied from GSC.
- TTL: Leave as default (usually 1 hour).
Click Save.
4. Verify in GSC: Changes can take a few minutes. Go back to your Google Search Console tab and click Verify. If it fails, don’t worry, DNS changes can take time. Click Verify Later, go have a cuppa, and try again in an hour.
Never delete or change existing DNS records unless you know what you are doing, as this could temporarily break your website or email. Adding a new TXT record is completely safe.
Option B: Verify via HTML File (URL Prefix Property)
If you don’t have DNS access but can access your website files through an FTP client (like FileZilla) or a built-in cPanel File Manager, you can upload an HTML verification file.
1. Add the URL to GSC: Use your exact website address.
Under the URL Prefix box on GSC, enter your full website address, including the protocol (e.g., https://www.yoursite.com). Click Continue.
2. Download the Verification File:
Google will generate a unique HTML file. Download this file to your computer. Do not rename it.
3. Upload to the Root Folder: Use FTP or File Manager.
Connect to your website files using FTP or your host’s File Manager. Upload the downloaded file directly into your website’s root folder (the main folder containing your website files).
Tip: The root folder usually contains files like index.php or index.html. Common folder names include public_html, htdocs, wwwroot, or web.
4. Confirm Verification: Keep the file online.
Return to Google Search Console and click Verify. Once successful, do not delete the HTML file from your server, as Google will occasionally re-check for it to maintain your verification status.
How to Use Google Search Console
Once verified, Google will start compiling data for your website (this can take up to 48 hours to appear).
Here’s how to use and make the most of GSC:
Submit Your XML Sitemap
This is the very first thing you should do after verification. A sitemap is a map of all pages on your website.
- On the left menu, click Sitemaps.
- Type your sitemap URL (usually sitemap.xml or sitemap_index.xml) into the blank field.
- Click Submit. This speeds up how quickly Google crawls and lists your content.
Inspect Specific URLs
Want to know why a specific page isn’t showing up in Google searches?
- Use the search bar at the very top of GSC (URL Inspection).
- Paste the page’s exact link.
- Google will tell you if the page is indexed. If it’s a brand-new page, you can click Request Indexing to prompt Google’s crawlers to visit and crawl it immediately.
Analyse Search Performance
This is where you will spend most of your time. Click on the Performance tab on the left:
- Queries: See exactly what people typed into Google to find your pages.
- Pages: Discover which of your web pages are generating the most traffic.
- CTR (Click-Through Rate): Analyse how many people who saw your website on Google actually clicked on it. If a page has high impressions but low CTR, it’s a good idea to improve your title or description.
Check for Crawl & Mobile Errors
Head over to the Indexing and Experience tabs on the left:
- Page Indexing: Look for a red “Not Indexed” trend. GSC will give you a list of errors explaining why Google is ignoring those pages (e.g., 404 error pages or redirect loops).
- Mobile Usability: Ensure your site layout works flawlessly on mobile devices. GSC will alert you if buttons are too close together or if the text is too small to read on a phone.
Need Help with Google Search Console?
Technology should support its users, not stress them out. If you’re feeling burned out from managing your website setup alongside running your business, let us take something off your plate.
Get in touch to find out how Kaydee Web can help you with Google Search Console.
