In this post, we\u2019ll introduce Google Search Console and its various uses and benefits. We\u2019ll then show you several ways you can verify GSC, so you can use it alongside your WordPress website. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is Google Search Console?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Google Search Console<\/a> (formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools) is a free service that enables you to track your website\u2019s presence on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). You can use it to quickly submit new content, and to track the progress of your existing content. The tool can also be used for Google site verification, specifically site ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a tool that can benefit just about anyone with a website. It enables you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, you can use this service to find out where your site appears on SERPs, and understand how users interact with it. In turn, these details can be used to inform your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many benefits to using Google Search Console<\/a> on your website. This tool will not only enable you to improve your SEO techniques, but it will also offer you unique insight into your current setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the most important advantages include the ability to improve your search appearance data, use structured data testing, and make improvements to your site\u2019s HTML. You can even check on backlinks and optimize internal links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When combined, these benefits mean you can improve both the look of your website on SERPs, and its overall performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use Google Search Console for Google verification of domain ownership, provided that the domain name provider is included in the provider names list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you can begin to reap the benefits offered by Google Search Console, you\u2019ll need to verify your WordPress website<\/a>. This will provide you with all the tools you need, and give you access to Google search data that\u2019s relevant to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you\u2019ll want to navigate to the Google Search Console<\/a> home page. Then, sign in using your Google account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, click on the red ADD A PROPERTY<\/em> button that\u2019s located in the top right corner of the dashboard:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A box will appear, which will prompt you to paste in the URL of your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the Recommended method<\/em> tab on the following screen, you\u2019ll need to download the HTML verification file by clicking on the hyperlink provided:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget to save this file to your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This step requires direct access to your website\u2019s server, which you can obtain via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or cPanel File Manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using an FTP client such as FileZilla<\/a>, enter your credentials<\/a> and log into your server. You\u2019ll then need to upload the file to your site\u2019s root directory (which contains the wp-content<\/em> folder, the wp-config.php<\/em> file, etc.):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click and drag the file from wherever you saved it on your computer to your site\u2019s root folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, you can return to Google Search Console and click on Verify<\/em>. This will complete the process!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t get direct access to your site\u2019s server in order to upload the file, there are alternative ways to verify Google Search Console. Let\u2019s take a look at each option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll assume that you\u2019ve already added your site as a new property to your Google Search Console account, as described above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest way to verify Google Search Console is by using a plugin such as Yoast SEO<\/a>. After installing and activating the plugin, you can proceed with the following steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the Google Search Console verification page, select the Alternate methods<\/em> tab and choose HTML tag<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copy only the code, which is located at the very end of the string provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, log in to your WordPress website, and navigate to SEO<\/em> > Dashboard<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose the Webmaster tools<\/em> tab from the top row on the next screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, paste the HTML code you copied a moment ago into the Google Search Console<\/em> box:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to click on Save changes<\/em> once you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, return to the Search Console and click on Verify<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll then receive a success message, and you can now use this tool with your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t want to add an extra plugin to your site, this method may be a better fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Google Search Console, click on Alternate methods<\/em> and select Domain name provider<\/em>. In the drop-down menu, choose your domain registrar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next copy the TXT record that\u2019s provided:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This step will vary, based on your DNS provider<\/a>. In a nutshell, what you want to do is add the TXT record to your DNS server (being sure to choose TXT as the record type), and verify its addition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, return to Google Search Console and click on Verify<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re already using Google Analytics<\/a> on your site (or you\u2019re planning to), you can verify it with Google Search Console using this method. If you don\u2019t have Google Analytics set up<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to do that first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As before, start by clicking on Alternate methods<\/em> in Google Search Console, and this time choose Google Analytics<\/em> from the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All you have to do next is click on Verify<\/em>, and Google Search Console will use the Asynchronous Tracking Code to connect to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to Google Analytics, you can use the code added to your website through Google Tag Manager<\/a> to verify your site with Google Search Console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven\u2019t already, you\u2019ll first need to add the Google Tag Manager code<\/a> to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After that, select Google Tag Manager<\/em> from the list of Alternate methods<\/em> in Google Search Console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Click \u201cVerify\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then click on Verify<\/em>, and the Tag Manager code will be used to connect your website and get Google Search Console up and running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WordPress is a popular Content Management System (CMS), and for good reason. It offers a wide array of features and functionality, and even beginners can use the platform with ease. However, even the most advanced users may find themselves needing assistance from time to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where WP Engine comes in. Our stellar support team and reliable service ensures that you can always get the answers you need. To learn more about WordPress and all it can do, check out WP Engine\u2019s Resource Center<\/a> or visit WP Engine<\/a> to learn more about our fully managed hosting for WordPress<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When it comes to ranking high on Google, you’ll need all the SEO tools at your disposal. The way your website appears in search engines \u2013 particularly giants such as Google \u2013 can play a key role in its overall success, as well as how many hits it receives each month. However, many website owners…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":133913,"template":"","resource-topic":[904,912,910],"resource-role":[895,906,897,903],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-42049","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
The Benefits of Using Google Search Console<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Verify a WordPress Site in Google Search Console<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Go to Google Search Console<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Add Property to Search Console<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"verify](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Download the HTML Ownership Verification File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 4: Upload the File to Your Website via FTP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 5: Go back to Search Console & Click \u201cVerify\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alternative Ways to Verify a WordPress Site in Google Search Console<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HTML Tag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Copy the Search Console Verification HTML Code<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"verify](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Log in to WordPress<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"html](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Paste in the Search Console Verification Code<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 4: Go Back to Search Console & Click \u201cVerify\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"verify](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource7.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDNS TXT Record<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Get the TXT Record<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/search-console-resource8.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Add the TXT Record to Your DNS Provider<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Go Back to the Search Console & Click \u201cVerify\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Google Analytics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Select \u201cGoogle Analytics\u201d As Your Verification Method<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Click \u201cVerify\u201d<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Google Tag Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Choose \u201cGoogle Tag Manager\u201d As Your Verification Method<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Get Support for More Common WordPress Questions from WP Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n