Domain Ownership Verification on Google: 4 Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-Step Guide How to Verify Domain Ownership on Google

Introduction

When building a website, one of the crucial steps is to verify domain ownership on Google. Domain verification confirms that you are the rightful owner of the website, which is an essential factor in search engine optimization (SEO). This same process is also required for other search engines where you want to website to appear; like Microsoft Bing, Yandex, and among many others. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to verify domain ownership on Google.

Benefits of Verifying Domain Ownership on Google

Verifying domain ownership on Google offers several benefits, including:

  • Ensuring that Google recognizes you as the owner of the website
  • Gaining access to Google Search Console, which provides valuable data on website performance, such as search queries, clicks, and impressions
  • Facilitating the indexing of new content on the website by Google’s search engine, which can improve the website’s SEO

Google offers several verification methods to confirm domain ownership. These include:

  • TXT RecordThis is the most recommended method.
  • HTML File UploadIdeal for those with server access.
  • HTML TagSuitable but not highly recommended.
  • Google AnalyticsRequires access to the Google Analytics account.

Verifying Domain Ownership on Google

The following are the steps to verify domain ownership on Google using any of the verification methods mentioned above.

Before you start, we shall be using one of the most common methods; a method also recommended by Google. We shall also be using WebManager as an example to complete this process. Having said this, we shall be using the Domain Name Provider (TXT Record) via the cPanel.

Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console

To verify domain ownership on Google, you will need to sign in to Google Search Console. If you don’t already have a Google account, you will need to create one before you can sign in.

To sign in to Google Search Console, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Google Search Console website (https://search.google.com/search-console/) in your web browser.
  2. Click on the “Start Now” button.
  3. Enter your website’s URL in the “URL prefix” field and click on the “Continue” button.
  4. Select your preferred verification method (such as HTML file upload or HTML tag) and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process.
  5. Once verification is complete, you will be redirected to the Google Search Console dashboard.

Example: Let’s say you own a website called “mywebsite.ng” and want to verify your domain ownership on Google. You would go to the Google Search Console website, click on the “Start Now” button, and enter “mywebsite.com” in the “URL prefix” field. You would then select your preferred verification method (such as HTML file upload or HTML tag) and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process. Once verification is complete, you would be redirected to the Google Search Console dashboard.

Step 2: Add a Property to the Search Console

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After you have signed in to Google Search Console, the next step in verifying your domain ownership is to add a property to the Search Console. A property is a specific version of your website that you want to track in the Google Search Console.

To add a property to the Search Console, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Add Property” button in the Search Console dashboard.
  2. Enter your website’s URL in the “URL prefix” field and click on the “Continue” button.

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Step 3: Select the Verification Method

After adding a property to the Search Console, the next step in verifying your domain ownership is to select the verification method that you want to use. There are several methods available, including HTML file upload, HTML tag, DNS verification, and Google Analytics verification.

As earlier mentioned, we recommend using the Domain Name Provider (TXT Record) method.

Step 4: Complete the Verification Process

Once you have selected the verification method for your domain ownership on Google, the final step is to complete the verification process. The exact steps will depend on the method you chose, but in general, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions to prove that you have access to the website in question.

Follow the instructions provided by Google to complete the verification process. This may involve uploading an HTML file or adding a meta tag to your website’s HTML code.

Types of Verification Methods

1. TXT Record – This is the most recommended method

Verifying domain ownership on Google using the Domain Name Provider or TXT record method involves adding a specific TXT record to your domain’s DNS configuration. This method is typically used by website owners who have access to their domain name provider’s control panel or dashboard. Because we are using WebManager and WebManager provides full access to your website DNS Zone via cPanel, we shall recommend this for you.

Here are the steps to verify domain ownership on Google using the Domain Name Provider or TXT record method:

  1. After selecting the TXT as your preferred method of verification, continue below.
  2. Choose the “Domain Name Provider” or “DNS” verification method and click “Verify”.
  3. Google will provide you with a unique TXT record to add to your domain’s DNS configuration. This record contains a string of characters that verifies your ownership of the domain.
  4. Log in to your domain name provider’s control panel or dashboard. Learn how to log into cPanel here.
  5. Locate the DNS configuration settings for your domain. Learn how to work with DNS Zone here.
  6. Add a new TXT record with the name and value provided by Google.
  7. Save the changes and wait for the DNS record to propagate.
  8. Return to the Google Search Console and click the “Verify” button. Note! changes on DNS most times require you to wait for about 24hrs or more to complete propagation.
  9. Google will check for the TXT record in your domain’s DNS configuration and verify your ownership of the domain.

Example: Let’s say you want to verify your ownership of the domain “mywebsite.org.ng” on Google using the Domain Name Provider or TXT record method. You would sign in to your Google Search Console account, add the property for “mywebsite.org.ng”, choose the Domain Name Provider or DNS verification method, and click “Verify”. Google would then provide you with a unique TXT record to add to your domain’s DNS configuration. You would log in to your domain name provider’s control panel, add the TXT record with the name and value provided by Google, save the changes, and wait for the DNS record to propagate. Finally, you would return to the Google Search Console and click the “Verify” button to complete the process.

2. HTML File Upload – Ideal for those with server access

The HTML File Upload method of verification requires you to upload a specific HTML file to your website’s root directory. This method is ideal if you have access to your website’s server and can modify its files.

To verify your domain ownership using the HTML File Upload method, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Google Search Console account and select the website you want to verify.
  2. Click on the “Verify this property” button and select the “HTML File Upload” verification method.
  3. Download the HTML verification file provided by Google.
  4. Upload the file to your website’s root directory using an FTP client or your website’s file manager via cPanel. Learn how to log into cPanel here.
  5. Confirm that the file is accessible by visiting http://yourwebsite.com/googlefbc33c123456789.html (replace “yourwebsite.com” with your website’s URL and “googlefbc33c123456789.html” with the name of the HTML verification file).
  6. Click on the “Verify” button in the Search Console verification page to complete the verification process.

Example: Let’s say you own a website called “mywebsite.com.ng” and want to verify your domain ownership on Google using the HTML File Upload method. You would download the HTML verification file provided by Google, name it “googlefbc33c123456789.html”, and upload it to your website’s root directory using your website’s file manager or an FTP client. Once the file is uploaded, you would visit http://mywebsite.com/googlefbc33c123456789.html to confirm that the file is accessible. Finally, you would click on the “Verify” button in the Search Console verification page to complete the verification process.

3. HTML Tag – Suitable but not Highly Recommended

The HTML tag method is another option for verifying domain ownership on Google. This method involves adding a specific HTML tag that Google will provide you from its console to your website’s homepage.

To verify your domain ownership using the HTML tag method, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Google Search Console account and select the website you want to verify.
  2. Click on the “Verify this property” button and select the “HTML tag” verification method.
  3. Copy the HTML tag provided by Google.
  4. Paste the HTML tag into the head section of your website’s homepage HTML code.
  5. Save and publish the changes to your website.
  6. Return to the Search Console verification page and click on the “Verify” button to complete the verification process.

Example: Let’s say you own a website called “mywebsite.com” and want to verify your domain ownership on Google using the HTML tag method. You would copy the HTML tag provided by Google and paste it into the head section of your website’s homepage HTML code. You would then save and publish the changes to your website and click on the “Verify” button in the Search Console verification page to complete the process.

The HTML tag method is a simple and effective way to verify domain ownership on Google, as it does not require any server-side access or file uploads. However, it’s important to note that the HTML tag must remain on your website’s homepage in order for verification to remain valid.

4. Google Analytics – Requires Access to the Google Analytics Account

Verifying your domain ownership on Google using Google Analytics is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. If you already have a Google Analytics account set up for your website, this can be a convenient option for verifying your domain ownership without needing to make any changes to your website’s DNS configuration.

Here are the steps to verify your domain ownership on Google using Google Analytics:

  1. Sign in to your Google Analytics account and navigate to the Admin section.
  2. Select the property that you want to verify and click on the “Property Settings” tab.
  3. Scroll down to the “Verification Details” section and click on the “Edit” button next to “Google Search Console”.
  4. Click on the “Verify” button next to your website’s URL.
  5. Select the “Google Analytics” verification method and click on the “Verify” button.
  6. Your domain ownership will be automatically verified if you have full access to the Google Analytics tracking code on your website.

If you don’t have full access to the Google Analytics tracking code on your website, you can still use this verification method by adding the Google Analytics tracking code to your website and waiting for data to start flowing into your Google Analytics account.

Tips for Troubleshooting Verification Issues

If you encounter issues while verifying your domain ownership on Google, try the following tips:

  • Ensure that you have input the correct website URL in the Google Search Console
  • Confirm that you have access to the website’s root directory or HTML code
  • Double-check that you have followed the verification instructions correctly
  • Contact Google’s support team for further assistance

Conclusion

Verifying domain ownership on Google is a crucial step in building and maintaining a successful website. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure that your website is properly verified, gain access to valuable data on your website’s performance, and improve its SEO.

FAQs

  1. Which verification method should I use?
    • The verification method you use depends on your website’s structure and your preferred verification method. HTML file upload and HTML tag are the most common methods.
  2. How long does it take for verification to be completed?
    • Verification can be completed within minutes or up to a few days, depending on the verification method used.
  3. What happens if I don’t verify my domain ownership on Google?
    • If you don’t verify your domain ownership, you may miss out on valuable data on your website’s performance, and your website may not be indexed by Google’s search engine.
  4. Can I change my verification method after completing the verification process?
    • Yes, you can change your verification method at any time by following the instructions provided by Google.
  5. Is domain ownership verification necessary for SEO?
    • Yes, domain ownership verification is important for SEO, as it confirms that you are the rightful owner of the website

In conclusion, verifying domain ownership on Google is a crucial step for website owners to ensure that their website is properly indexed by Google’s search engine and to gain access to valuable data on website performance. By following this step-by-step guide and troubleshooting tips, you can successfully verify your domain ownership on Google and optimize your website’s SEO.