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Video: How to Add a Website to Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools)

Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools) tracks and reports on how search engines view and interact with websites. Appearance, HTML suggestions, external and internal hyperlinks, search terms, mobile usability, and crawl errors are some of the features. Google offers Search Console free of charge.

Video Transcript

The following transcript is available for screen readers to dictate the "How to Add a Website to Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools)" tutorial.

Slide 1: Title: How to Add a Website to Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools), A beginner’s tutorial

Slide 2: Getting Started
This tutorial is geared towards beginners. Watch the video all the way through, to understand the process and view the notes. Then, start over, pausing at each slide, to give yourself time to complete each step.

Slide 3: About Google Search Console
Google Search Console (formerly Webmaster Tools) tracks and reports on how search engines view and interact with websites. Appearance, HTML suggestions, external and internal hyperlinks, search terms, mobile usability, and crawl errors are some of the features. Google offers Search Console free of charge.

Slide 4: Note
Google changes its products from time-to-time. The instructions and images in this tutorial are accurate as of February 2018.

Slide 5: One Account is ALL You Need
You can create one account and use it for all of Google’s tools, such as: Gmail, Calendar, Blogs, Google Play, YouTube, AdSense, AdWords, Analytics, Search Console, Tag Manager, etc. If appropriate, you can set up separate Google accounts for personal use and for business use.

Slide 6: Your Google Account
If you do not have a Google account, watch our tutorial on “How to Sign Up for a Google Account” first. Then, continue with this tutorial.

Slide 7: Note: Google BETA Test
Google has a BETA test for a new version of Search Console located at search.google.com/search-console. The older version can be found at google.com/webmaster/tools. The two versions will interconnect until the BETA version is complete, hopefully within the next year.

Slide 8: Step One
Open your web browser and go to: google.com/webmaster/tools
The full URL (web address) is much longer, but all you need to do is type google.com/webmaster/tools and press enter / return / go.

Slide 9: Step One continued
If you are not logged into your Google account, the browser will transfer you to accounts.google.com. Login to continue. If you see “Search Console” near the top, you are in the right place.

Slide 10: Step Two
[check mark] ADD A PROPERTY
Click the red “ADD A PROPERTY” button.
Image: Search Console - Add a Property.

Slide 11: Step Three
Enter the full URL (address) of your website, starting with http. Then, click the “Add” button.
Image: Add a property - Select type of property.

Slide 12: Step Four
[check mark] Select verification method
Google recommends uploading a file to the top folder of the website’s hosting account.
Image: Search Console - Recommended method.

Slide 13: Alt Methods
Google provides four alternatives. Each of these options will be reviewed after the recommended option is explained in detail.
Image: Search Console - Alternate methods.

Slide 14: Step Five
[check mark] Download file
Click the hyperlink to download the file provided by Google. Use the exact file and filename given with no changes.
Image: Search Console - Download.

Slide 15: Step Six
[check mark] Upload file
Upload file to the top level of the website’s hosting account. If assistance is needed, contact your hosting company or web developer.
Image: Search Console - Upload.

Slide 16: Step Seven
[check mark] Confirm file
Go to the URL provided to confirm that the file was uploaded. Leave this file in the hosting account long term.
Image: Search Console - Confirm file.

Slide 17: Step Eight
[check mark] Verify
Click the “I’m not a robot” checkbox. Then, click the red “VERIFY” button.
Image: Search Console - Verify.

Slide 18: Congratulations!
Your website has been added to Google Search Console and verified! It will take Google a few days to gather data, so check back later. The four Alternate Verification Methods will now be reviewed.

Slide 19: Alternate Method: One
Slide Copy / paste the meta tag provided to the website’s home page source code.
Image: Search Console - Alt Method - HTML Tag.

Slide 20: Alternate Method: One continued
If assistance is needed, contact your web hosting company or web developer.
Image: Search Console - Alt Method - HTML Tag.

Slide 21: Alternate Method: Two
See if your domain registration company provides a tool to help you verify websites with Google. WhoIs.com can help you find your domain registrar.
Image: Search Console - Alt Method - Domain name provider.

Slide 22: Alternate Method: Three
Connect Search Console with Google Analytics. Set up the domain in Analytics first, then verify here.
Image: Search Console - Alt Method - Google Analytics.

Slide 23: Alternate Method: Four
Connect Search Console with Google Tag Manager. Set up the domain in Tag Manager first, then verify here.
Image: Search Console - Alt Method - Google Tag Manager.

Slide 24: Select a Method
Use whichever method is most convenient for your current situation. You can change the method later on, if your situation changes. For example, you can verify the website now by adding a meta tag, then, later verify using Google Analytics and delete the meta tag.

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This video tutorial was created by ReaLife WebDesigns.

Disclaimer:
All content presented is this video is for informational purposes only.
No endorsements are expressed or implied.
Google content displayed in this video is the property of Google.