How to Verify Your Website in Google Search Console

Search Console only shows data to proven owners. Pick a property type first: a Domain property covers every subdomain and protocol but verifies only by a DNS record; a URL-prefix property can also use an HTML tag, an uploaded file, Google Analytics or Tag Manager. Leave the proof in place afterwards.

Google's verification methods
MethodProperty typesWatch out for
DNS TXT or CNAME recordDomain and URL-prefixDNS changes can take time to spread
HTML meta tagURL-prefixMust be in the homepage <head>
HTML file uploadURL-prefixGoogle does not follow redirects to the file
Google AnalyticsURL-prefixNeeds edit rights on the GA property
Google Tag ManagerURL-prefixNeeds Publish or Admin on the container

Updated

Verification is a one-time chore that unlocks the reports that matter for search: which queries you appear for, which pages are indexed, and what errors Google hit. It does not change rankings by itself.

Verify in Search Console on We.Inc, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or plain HTML

We.Inc

  1. Open the SEO panel in the builder and find the Google Search Console card.
  2. Click Connect Google and sign in with the account that should own the property.
  3. Publish; We.Inc adds the google-site-verification tag for you.
  4. Prefer doing it by hand? Use the card's Verify option, copy the tag into the field it gives you, publish, then click Verify in Search Console.
  5. Turn on Publish a sitemap under SEO, Site, and submit /sitemap.xml in Search Console.

WordPress

  1. Install Site Kit by Google from Plugins, Add Plugin, and connect it to Search Console; or
  2. Paste the HTML tag into the verification field of your SEO plugin.
  3. Return to Search Console and click Verify.

Same as other plugins: WordPress.com only allows them on paid plans.

Wix

  1. In Search Console, add a URL-prefix property with your full https://www address and copy the HTML tag.
  2. In Wix, open SEO & GEO, scroll to Tools and settings, and select Site Verification.
  3. Expand Google Search Console, paste the tag and click Save.
  4. Click Verify in Search Console.

Wix requires an upgraded site, a connected domain, a published homepage with no password, and indexing turned on.

Squarespace

  1. Open the Analytics panel and click Search keywords.
  2. Click Connect, sign in to Google, review permissions and click Allow.
  3. Wait up to 72 hours for keyword data.

Trial sites cannot be verified; publish first. Squarespace does not support the .txt file method; use a DNS TXT record if you want a Domain property.

Plain HTML

  1. Paste the meta tag into the <head> of your homepage, or upload Google's HTML file to the site root.
  2. Publish the change.
  3. Click Verify and keep the tag or file in place.

The meta tag method

Search Console gives you the content value. The tag goes in the homepage head, before the body starts.

<meta name="google-site-verification" content="YOUR_TOKEN" />

Sources

  • Google Search Console Help, verify your site ownership: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9008080 (checked October 28, 2026, used for the Search Console steps)
  • Wix Help Center, manually verifying with Google Search Console: https://support.wix.com/en/article/manually-verifying-your-site-with-google-search-console (checked October 28, 2026, used for the Search Console steps)
  • Squarespace Help Center, verifying with Google Search Console: https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/205813918-Verifying-your-site-with-Google-Search-Console (checked October 28, 2026, used for the Search Console steps)
  • WordPress.com Support, install a plugin: https://wordpress.com/support/plugins/install-a-plugin/ (checked October 28, 2026, used for the Search Console steps)

Domain or URL-prefix?

Choose a Domain property if you control DNS; it gathers http, https, www and every subdomain into one view. Choose URL-prefix when you cannot touch DNS, as on many hosted builders, and enter the exact address your site uses, such as https://www.example.com.

Verifying a URL-prefix property with DNS also verifies the matching Domain property automatically.

Keep it verified

Google rechecks ownership. Remove the tag, file or DNS record and, after a grace period, your access lapses. Several people can verify the same property with different methods, which is a sensible backup.

How it works

  1. Open Search Console and click to add a property.
  2. Choose Domain or URL-prefix and enter your address.
  3. Pick a verification method and copy the record, tag or file.
  4. Add it to your DNS or site and publish.
  5. Click Verify, then submit your sitemap.

Tips

  • Use the exact primary address your site redirects to; verifying the non-www version of a www site leaves you with an empty property.
  • Add a second verification method so a theme change that drops one does not lock you out.
  • Submit /sitemap.xml straight after verifying so Google finds every page sooner.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Search Console verification take?

Tag, file, Analytics and Tag Manager checks are instant once the site is live. DNS records can take longer because DNS changes spread gradually.

Can I remove the verification tag after it works?

No. Google checks again over time, and removing the proof eventually removes your access to the property.

Why does verification fail on my site builder?

Typical reasons are an unpublished or password-protected site, the wrong www or https version, or a homepage that redirects elsewhere.

Related: Google Search Console guide, Add your site to Bing Webmaster Tools, How to set up Google Analytics, Robots.txt generator, Schema markup generator.

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