How to Setup Google Search Console (GSC)
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console
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Go to https://search.google.com/search-console
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Sign in using your Google account (preferably the one used for your website's other tools like Google Analytics or Google Business Profile)
Step 2: Add a New Property
You have two options when adding your site - but it is recommended to setup both property types.
Option A: Domain Property
Tracks all subdomains (e.g. www, blog, shop) and protocols (http, https)
Recommended if you have access to your domain’s DNS settings
- Select “Domain” property
- Enter your domain name (e.g. yourdomain.com)
- Click Continue
Google will provide a TXT record to add to your DNS provider (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)
- Copy the TXT record
- Log in to your domain registrar
- Navigate to DNS Management
- Add a new TXT record and paste the code from Google
- Save changes
- Return to Search Console and click Verify
Note: DNS verification can take a few minutes to 24 hours to process.
Option B: URL Prefix
Tracks only a specific version of your site (e.g. https://www.yourdomain.com)
Easier to verify for most users
- Select “URL prefix” property
- Enter the full URL of your site (including https://)
- Click Continue
Google will provide multiple verification options, including:
- HTML file upload
- HTML tag (meta tag for your site’s <head>)
- Google Analytics account (if connected)
- Google Tag Manager (if installed)
Step 3: Verify Ownership
Choose the most suitable method for your website:
Method 1: HTML File Upload (for developers or custom-coded websites)
- Download the HTML verification file from Search Console
- Upload it to the root folder of your website using FTP or File Manager
- Return to Search Console and click Verify
Method 2: HTML Tag (great for WordPress or CMS websites)
- Copy the meta tag provided
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Paste it inside the <head> section of your website’s homepage
- For WordPress: use a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers
- For WordPress: use a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers
- Save and publish your changes
- Return to Search Console and click Verify
Method 3: Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager
If already installed with the correct permissions, simply select this method and click Verify
Step 4: Submit Your Sitemap
- In your Search Console dashboard, select your verified property
- Click Sitemaps from the left-hand menu
- Enter your sitemap URL (usually https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml)
- Click Submit
Submitting a sitemap helps Google crawl and index your site faster and more effectively.
Step 5: Monitor and Optimise
Once your property is verified and your sitemap is submitted:
- Monitor Search Performance (clicks, impressions, keywords)
- Track Index Coverage (errors, warnings, valid pages)
- Check for Mobile Usability and Core Web Vitals
- Use the URL Inspection Tool to test specific pages
Need help with Google Search Console?
At Ranking Australia, we simplify the entire Google Search Console setup for you — from DNS verification to sitemap configuration and performance optimisation. Whether you're launching a brand new site or need help interpreting your data, our team of Google Experts can guide you through every step.
We speak Google, so you don’t have to.
