Add Your Domain property to GSC using TXT DNS

In this post, we’ll walk you through on how to add your domain property to Google Search Console using TXT DNS record. By following these steps, you'll gain valuable insights into your website's performance on Google. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Access Google Search Console

To begin, head over to Google Search Console and then click on the "Start Now" button.

Step 2: Sign In

Sign in with your Google account. If this is your first time using Google Search Console, you'll be prompted to choose between adding a domain or a URL prefix. If you've used it before, click on the menu in the top left corner, then select "Add Property."

Step 3: Choose Domain or URL Prefix

Decide whether to add a domain or a URL prefix:

• Domain: Use this if you want all subdomains to be included in one property (typically recommended).
• URL Prefix: Choose this if you have different subdomains and want separate stats for each.

Step 4: Enter Your Domain

For this guide, we’ll add a domain. Enter your domain (e.g., shoutex.com) and click "Continue."

Step 5: Verify Domain Ownership

Google will ask you to verify domain ownership by creating a TXT DNS record. Here’s how:

1. Copy the TXT record provided by Google.
2. Log in to your DNS server management tool (e.g., Cloudflare).
3. Navigate to the DNS settings and add a new record.
4. Select "TXT" as the record type.
5. For the name, use the "@" symbol, representing the root domain.

6. Paste the TXT record in the content field and save the record.

TXT DNS is the recommended way to verify domain ownership. There are other methods, including adding meta tags with verification codes, creating unique filenames on the webserver, or tying it with Google Analytics, etc.

TXT DNS is recommended because it's likely not to be advertently get changed or deleted by a team member. 

Step 6: Confirm Verification

Return to Google Search Console and click the "Verify" button. If your DNS server is fast, like Cloudflare, verification should be immediate. If not, wait a few hours and try again.

Step 7: Explore Google Search Console

Once verified, you can access your domain’s data. Initially, you might not see any performance data. Google needs time to crawl and index your site. Check back in a day or so to see updated data.

Key Features to Explore:

• Performance Tab: View impressions, clicks, and average click-through rates.
• Indexing Tab: Check the status of your site's pages and sitemaps.

Make GSC part of your SEO Toolbox

Adding your domain to Google Search Console is essential for monitoring your website's performance and improving your SEO strategy. If you need more customized advice, reach out to our team at ShoutEx.