One of the most important step in optimizing your WordPress site for SEO is adding it to Google Search Console (formerly Google Webmaster Tools).
Google Search Console offers specific webmaster tools to help website owners monitor and maintain their search presence and rankings.
In this guide, we will show you how to easily add and verify your WordPress site in Google Search Console also known as Webmaster Tools.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a free tool offered by Google to help website owners monitor their website’s presence in Google search results.
It helps you track search rankings along with keeping you updated about site errors, security issues, and indexing issues that may affect your website’s search performance.
If you are serious about growing your website, then you need to add it to Google webmaster tools from day one.
That being, let’s take a look at how to easily add your site to Google Search Console.
Adding Your WordPress Site to Google Search Console
First, you need to visit the Google Search Console website and click on the ‘Start Now’ button.
Next, you’ll need to sign in with your Google / Gmail account.
Once logged in, you’ll be asked to enter your website URL.
There are two methods for site verification: domain name or URL prefix. We recommend the URL prefix method because it is more flexible.
Keep in mind that Google considers an HTTP and HTTPS as two different protocols. It also considers https://www.example.com and https://example.com as two different websites.
You need to enter the correct website URL used by WordPress.
If you are unsure, then there is an easy way to find out the exact URL you need to enter. Simply login to your WordPress admin area and go to Settings » General page.
There you will see your website’s URL in the site address field.
After entering your correct website address in Google webmaster tools setup wizard, click on the ‘Continue’ button to go to the next step.
Now, you’ll be asked to verify ownership of your website. There are several ways to do that, but we will show the HTML tag method because it is the easiest one.
Click on the HTML tag to expand it and then copy the code inside it.
Now, you need to add this Google site verification meta tag in WordPress, so Google can verify that you are the owner of the website.
Most WordPress tutorials will guide you to just edit the header.php file in your WordPress theme and add the code just above the <body> tag.
However, we don’t recommend this method because if you update or change your theme, then the HTML tag will disappear.
Google periodically checks for the HTML tag and will disable your access to the site data in the search console if it cannot find the verification tag.
Here is how to make sure that Google can always verify your ownership of the website.
First, you need to install and activate the Insert Headers and Footers plugin. For more details, see our step by step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Upon activation, go to Settings » Insert Headers and Footers page and paste the Google HTML tag code you copied earlier inside the ‘Scripts in Header’ box.
Don’t forget to click on the ‘Save’ button to store your changes.
You can now go back to Google Search Console settings and click on the ‘Verify’ button.
Google Search Console will now look for the HTML tag in your website code and will show you a success message.
Note: If you don’t see a success message, then you need to clear your WordPress cache. This will ensure that Google can fetch the latest version of your website.
That’s all. You have successfully added your site to the Google Search Console (Webmaster tools). You can now click on the ‘Go to Property’ link to visit your Google Search Console dashboard.
From here you can see your website’s performance reports and index coverage.
Before you do that, let’s tell Google a little bit more about your website. This will help Google crawl your website a bit more efficiently.
Add XML Sitemap to Google Search Console
An XML sitemap is a file that lists all your website content in XML format, so search engines like Google can easily discover and index your content.
The easiest way to add an XML sitemap to your WordPress website is by installing and activating the Yoast SEO plugin.
Upon activation, go to SEO » General and switch to the ‘Features’ tab. From here, you need to scroll down to the ‘XML Sitemap’ option and make sure that it is turned on.
Next, you need to get the XML sitemap link. Simply click on the question mark icon next to the XML sitemap option, and you will see a link to your XML sitemap.
Clicking on the link will take you to your XML sitemap. From there, you can just copy the URL from your browser’s address bar.
Alternatively, you can directly access your XML sitemap by adding sitemap_index.xml at the end of your website address. For example:
https://www.example.com/sitemap_index.xml
Now that you have XML sitemap ready, let’s help Google find it quickly.
Simply switch to the Google Search Console dashboard and click on the Sitemaps menu from the left column.
After that, you need to add the last part of your sitemap URL under the ‘Add new sitemap’ section and click the Submit button.
Google will now add your sitemap URL to your Google Search Console.
That’s all, you have successfully added your website to Google Search Console.
The next step is to learn how to use the treasure trove of information in Google search console to grow your business. We have a complete Google Search Console guide for beginners which shows you how to make the most out of Google Search Console data.
Google Search Console and WordPress FAQs
Having helped thousands of readers add and verify their website in Google search console, we have seen just about every question you can think of. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
1. How can I upload a Google HTML verification file to my WordPress blog?
Google Search Console allows few different ways to verify website ownership. In this article, we covered the easiest method which is to use the Google site verification meta tag. However some website owners prefer to upload the HTML file to verify site ownership.
To upload the Google search console HTML verification file to WordPress, you will need to login to your WordPress hosting cPanel or connect to your hosting account using FTP.
Next, you need to upload the HTML verification file inside the /public_html/ folder of your website. This is the root directory where you’ll see other WordPress folders like /wp-admin/, /wp-content/, etc.
2. Should I use a Google Site verification plugin for WordPress?
There are many WordPress plugins that are designed specifically to help you with Google site verification. However you don’t need to use them because you’ll likely need to verify ownership on other webmaster tools and platforms like Bing, Yandex, Pinterest, etc.
It’s much better to use the Insert Headers and Footers plugin because it lets you add site verification for all platforms (in a single plugin).
3. How can I become a power user of Google Search Console?
Google search console has a lot of useful information that you can use to grow your business. We have created the ultimate Google Search Console guide that you can use to become a power user.
4. I’m running into problems, is there a Google Search console phone number that I can contact?
No, there’s no Google search console phone number that you can contact. If you’re running into problems with Google search console, then you can use their online support center. For specific questions about WordPress, you can always join our free WordPress help group to ask your questions.
We hope this article helped you learn how to easily add your WordPress site to Google Search Console. You may also want to see our guide on how to get more traffic to your website, and our comparison of the best email marketing services for small business.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Hey, I had created Blog page and Added Categories as a sub in Blog page from Appearance –> Menus.
But then GSC showed my Blog Url as a Soft 404 error.
What does this mean?
It likely means you either have very few posts on that page or your site could have had a hiccup when Google tried to crawl your page
Thank you so much. I was literally stuck in this step and you cleare my doubt. my website is now verified thank you soo much.
Glad our guide was helpful
How to use webmaster
At the moment we do not have a guide for Google’s webmaster tools.
hey , I have a free plan , how can i do this /
For WordPress.com you would sadly need to reach out to their support for if they allow the connection and/or how to connect
Hi,
Thank you for another informative post. I love WPBeginner!!!
One thing this post does not address which confuses me is whether I should add the domain with and without the www. I have added both as properties in the Google Webmaster tools and I don’t know if this will cause problems.
Thanks
Andreas
For our opinion on that, you would want to take a look at our article here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/www-vs-non-www-which-is-better-for-wordpress-seo/
I installed my website (Bluehost/WP going thru the video tutorial you sent. I finished, but did not launch it. The tutorial does not cover how I can change the picture in the header. Is there a different tutorial for that?
Also. When I am finished, just not published, I have no way to see the finished product. Do I need to publish before it shows up?
Thanks in advance
It would depend on your theme for how to change the header image but that is normally under Appearance>Customize.
For the content to appear for users not logged in, it would need to be published
Sir, It is very good article for beginners. But can you please publish a new post about Adding a website on new google search console, sitemap, and everything.
We will certainly look into updating these articles as Google updates their interface
very help full
Thank you
Thank you very much. This article helped me verify my website.
You’re welcome
Nice article…it helps me to add site to google webmaster..
Thank you
Extremely useful site.Thanks a lot for the great work!
Thank you, glad our articles can help
Thanks! Such a useful website for a beginner blogger!!!
Glad our site can help
Hi, This, as with so many tutorials, is most helpful. However I have come across something not dealt with. On pasting the meta line into the Insert Headers and Footers widget and hit save, the system takes to me to my site with an “oops we cannot find this page” message. So annoying. As a result I get a verification failure.
Any suggestions as I always seem to have issues installing the google apps.
regards
Gerry
You would want to reach out to your hosting provider to see if they have any errors on their end that could be causing the message.
Thank you this was easy and helpful. If I need any help I’ll hire you!!!
While we don’t have a service for hire at the moment, we’re glad you found our article useful
In both plugin
Verification failed. We couldn’t find the verification meta tag.
Thanks for the excellent info on this site in general! I am the subcontract for a person who wants us both to have individual access to Google Console.
My question: I have used various plugins for Google verification and there is one space only for the code. I know I can also add an HTML file to the root of the site or insert an HTML code into the header. If she generates a new code through Google Console and I insert it, will that nullify my data views/ownership?
I have added her as a full user in Google Console but it is still asking her to verify her ownership via one of the code.HTML file methods.
Thanks for your help!
Ronna
Thanks for that
really helpful
As a new WordPress site owner your tutorials have been extremely helpful! They are up-to-date, simple, use visuals, and just make things easy to do. Thank you!
Anna
Hi Anna,
We are glad you found WPBeginner articles helpful. Don’t forget to join us on Twitter for more WordPress tips and tutorials.
how to add verification file in root directory
Thank you so much!!! I was trying to get my site verified for a couple days now…trying so many different options – this worked on the first try! Thank you!
Quite handy… THANKS A MILLION
can I register my domain in Google search console if I’m using wordpress hosted version for my own domain not the free version. And yes, one more point, I’m not using the Business plan for wordpress hosted version. I am using the Pro one. Please reply.
Hi Prashant,
Yes, you can.
no matter what i can it says cannot connect to server
This was very helpful. Thank you!
How to put my wordpress post on google?
And find on google with title
Hi Shazad,
Please see our article on how to get your WordPress site listed on Google.
hi
i wanna to know that is it necessary for site to submit Y WebSite To Google Search Engines to approve ad sense account?
please must answer?
Hi Ehsan,
No it is not.
Am really grateful for this guide, thanks and keep it up!
Thank you for the info, couldn’t find a way to validate my WP site !
i did use your Header and footer tool.
Thank you for the very helpful video/instructions. One suggestion would be to let people know about the option to use Yoast (which is even called out that “you probably already have”) first instead of second. This would avoid needing a completely different/new plug-in. I did in fact already have Yoast but went forward with the header/footer plug-in not knowing I could use Yoast.
Thanks SO much. I couldn’t figure out how to put in that code and these two methods are very easy.
Hi, I am trying to verify my WP site but really struggling. I have placed the code in the header but it then appeared on the public facing site.
It is not the only code in the head section but no matter where I put it, it does not verify.
Help please!
I’ve been frequenting your site because it has been really helpful in building my blog. I just can’t seem to verify it thru google search console. I tried all the alternatives listed in this page. What am I doing wrong? HELP!
Hi Mai Taup,
Do you see an error when trying to verify your blog? Make sure that you have added the correct address of your website in Google Search Console. Google treats https and http, www and non-www URLs differently.
Thank you! Thank you! I have finally verified my site. awesome tips.
Thanks very much – your step-by-step description was so easy to follow & it worked a treat!
Thank you! Inserting the meta tag via the insert header plugin worked for me. Grateful
It was helpful .. I had been messing up for long and this article solved my problems in a minute .. keep up the good work
it keeps telling me “we were unable to verify your property” Any thoughts on what i am doing wrong? thanks!
I keep getting an error when I follow the tips in this video. It says – “The Google XML Sitemaps plugin might cause issues when used in conjunction with Yoast SEO.” Any idea what I should do now?
I used the insert headers footers and copied and pasted the code over and it still wouldn’t verify the site.
What led me to this video was I initially watched your video on how to install Google maps to wordpress with your provided plugin. The result was Javascript console prohibiting complete map loading.
I have done everything stated in this video tutorial, but I “do not receive the green check mark” allocating Google found my tag? Could one of these be why:
1. Domain was on another platform and I recently brought it over to Dreamhost (2 days ago)
2. New platform, theme, and wordpress are still under construction – could this hinder the tag from being found?
3. Google is stating verification failed, unable to connect to the server – Why is server not allowing connection?
Great to the point videos, Thanks for your time.
Hi Jared,
If your website is in maintenance mode and not publicly accessible, then Google webmaster tools cannot verify the tag.
Thank you! This is the issue I was having, so I’m glad someone asked and you responded!
Excellent video. I struggled for a couple of hours before I found your short, informative, step by step instruction. Bravo.
if we have verified our analytics account with insert header and footer plugin, how to verify with web masters ??
What about setting up different versions of the website name on google’s search console?
i.e.
http://www.wpbeginner.com
wpbeginner.com
https:// etc etc etc
What is the purpose of that and how do you do it>
Hi Tina,
Google considers them different websites. You will need to pick one to submit to Google webmaster tools.
Thanks! Very helpful video.
I just verified by site with the plugin from WpBeginner
Thank you for an excellent tutorial! After struggling to figure the domain verification process for some time, this tutorial helped me to resolve the issue in minutes! Thank you!
I am trying to verify the https versions of my site via ftp but cannot find those versions to upload the HTML verification file to. Any ideas where to find them?
Hello,
none of those methods worked for my website, I have followed the steps in the video and but it says it can not find the verification meta tag. Also uploading the html file did not work. What should I do now?
Thank you!
Thank you very much for sharing such an important info especially the “Insert Headers and Footers Plugin” which is going to help me a lot. Is it OK to uninstall and delete “Insert Headers and Footers Plugin” after including meta tag in the header?
Eagerly waiting for reply…
Thanks again………
Hi Prathmesh,
You will need to keep the plugin installed. Uninstalling the plugin will disable the code you added into header or footer using the plugin’s settings.
Thanks.
That helped…
This is really helpful and I would hope my blog gets visitors too.
I was going around and around trying to get this to work and couldn’t.
I’m so happy I finally got the “green checkmark” after following your instructions. Thx a bunch