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How to Setup Google Search Console (GSC)

A Step-by-Step Guide


Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console

  1. Go to https://search.google.com/search-console
  2. 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

  1. Select “Domain” property
  2. Enter your domain name (e.g. yourdomain.com)
  3. Click Continue

Google will provide a TXT record to add to your DNS provider (e.g. GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)

  1. Copy the TXT record
  2. Log in to your domain registrar
  3. Navigate to DNS Management
  4. Add a new TXT record and paste the code from Google
  5. Save changes
  6. 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

  1. Select “URL prefix” property
  2. Enter the full URL of your site (including https://)
  3. 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)

  1. Download the HTML verification file from Search Console
  2. Upload it to the root folder of your website using FTP or File Manager
  3. Return to Search Console and click Verify

Method 2: HTML Tag (great for WordPress or CMS websites)

  1. Copy the meta tag provided
  2. Paste it inside the <head> section of your website’s homepage
    • For WordPress: use a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers
  3. Save and publish your changes
  4. 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

  1. In your Search Console dashboard, select your verified property
  2. Click Sitemaps from the left-hand menu
  3. Enter your sitemap URL (usually https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml)
  4. 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.

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