{"id":2662,"date":"2019-05-14T13:57:39","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/?p=2662"},"modified":"2022-06-06T17:54:14","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T17:54:14","slug":"how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/","title":{"rendered":"SEO And The Google Search Console"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A virtual system of website admins, SEO masters, and computerized showcasing honchos would give just about anything and left leg for instruments that engage SEO and get more clients that will ring the money registers. Apparatuses with every one of the extravagant accessories are inside reach, however, a large number of them will make you pay strong charges to get to benefits.<\/p>\n<p>When you shoot the twofold dashed firearm of Google Analytics and <a href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/\">Google Search Console<\/a>, you can go for higher internet searcher rankings and lift traffic to your website, traffic that changes over to paying clients.<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"single-post-title\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1298\" src=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo.jpg 870w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-768x471.jpg 768w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-513x315.jpg 513w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-573x352.jpg 573w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-600x368.jpg 600w, https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/seo-335x206.jpg 335w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/h1>\n<div class=\"entry\">\n<p><strong>At the frontlines in the battle for SEO is Google Search Console (GSC), an amazing tool that makes you visible in search engine results pages (SERPs) and provides an in-depth analysis of web traffic being routing to your doorstep. And it does all this for free.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If your website marks your presence in cyberspace, GSC boosts viewership and increases traffic, conversions, and sales. In this guide, <a href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-would-you-explain-seo-to-a-beginner\/\">SEO strategists at\u00a0Miromind\u00a0explain<\/a> how you benefit from GSC, how you integrate it with your website, and what you do with its reports to strategize the domain dominance of your brand.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2e340c2c91\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2e340c2c91\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#What_is_Google_Search_Console_GSC\" >What is Google Search Console (GSC)?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Get_your_website_unstuck_now_How_Click_the_Omaha_SEO_link_below\" >Get your website unstuck now! How? \nClick the Omaha SEO link below!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Precisely_what_does_Google_Search_Console_do_for_you_These_are_the_benefits\" >Precisely what does Google Search Console do for you? These are the benefits.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#1_Search_engine_visibility_improves\" >1. Search engine visibility improves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#2_The_virtual_image_remains_current_and_updated\" >2. The virtual image remains current and updated<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#3_Keywords_are_better_optimized_to_attract_traffic\" >3. Keywords are better optimized to attract traffic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#4_Safety_from_cyber_threats\" >4. Safety from cyber threats<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#5_Content_figures_prominently_in_rich_results\" >5. Content figures prominently in rich results<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#6_Site_becomes_better_equipped_for_AMP_compliance\" >6. Site becomes better equipped for AMP compliance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#7_Backlink_analysis\" >7. Backlink analysis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#8_The_site_becomes_faster_and_more_responsive_to_mobile_users\" >8. The site becomes faster and more responsive to mobile users<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#9_Google_indexing_keeps_pace_with_real-time_website_changes\" >9.\u00a0Google indexing keeps pace with real-time website changes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Your_eight_step_guide_on_how_to_use_Google_Search_Console\" >Your eight step guide on how to use Google Search Console<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#1_How_to_set_up_your_unique_Google_Search_Console_account\" >1. How to set up your unique Google Search Console account<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#2_How_to_enable_Google_to_verify_your_site_ownership\" >2. How to enable Google to verify your site ownership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Option_one\" >Option one<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#How_to_add_an_HTML_tag_to_help_Google_verify_ownership\" >How to add an HTML tag to help Google verify ownership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#SHARE_THIS_ARTICLE\" >SHARE THIS ARTICLE<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#RELATED_ARTICLES\" >RELATED ARTICLES<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Getting_Google_Search_Console_to_verify_a_WordPress_website_using_HTML_tag\" >Getting Google Search Console to verify a WordPress website using HTML tag<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Option_two\" >Option two<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#How_to_upload_an_HTML_file_to_help_Google_verify_ownership\" >How to upload an HTML file to help Google verify ownership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Option_three\" >Option three<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Using_the_Google_Tag_Manager_route_for_site_verification\" >Using the Google Tag Manager route for site verification<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Option_four\" >Option four<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Securing_your_status_as_the_domain_name_provider\" >Securing your status as the domain name provider<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#3_Integrating_the_Google_Analytics_code_on_your_site\" >3. Integrating the Google Analytics code on your site<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Google_Analytics_vs_Google_Search_Console_%E2%80%93_Knowing_the_difference_and_appreciating_the_benefits\" >Google Analytics vs. Google Search Console \u2013 Knowing the difference and appreciating the benefits<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Packing_power_and_performance_by_combining_Google_Analytics_and_Google_Search_Console\" >Packing power and performance by combining Google Analytics and Google Search Console<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#What_should_you_do_with_Google_Search_Console\" >What should you do with Google Search Console?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#1_How_to_create_and_submit_a_sitemap_to_Google_Search_Console\" >1. How to create and submit a sitemap to Google Search Console<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#2_How_to_modify_your_robotstxt_file_so_search_engine_bots_can_crawl_efficiently\" >2. How to modify your robots.txt file so search engine bots can crawl efficiently<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#3_How_to_use_the_%E2%80%9CFetch_as_Google%E2%80%9D_option_to_update_regular_website_changes\" >3. How to use the \u201cFetch as Google\u201d option to update regular website changes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#4_How_to_use_Google_Search_Console_to_identify_and_locate_site_errors\" >4. How to use Google Search Console to identify and locate site errors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Google_Search_Console_GSC\"><\/span>What is Google Search Console (GSC)?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Created by\u00a0Google, the\u00a0Google\u00a0Webmaster Tools\u00a0(GWT) initially targeted webmasters. Offered by\u00a0Google\u00a0as a free of cost service, GWT metamorphosed into its present form, the\u00a0Google Search Console\u00a0(GSC). It\u2019s the cutting edge tool widely used by an exponentially diversifying group of digital marketing professionals, web designers, app developers, SEO specialists, and business entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>For the uninitiated, GSC tells you everything that you wish to know about your website and the people who visit it daily. For example, how much web traffic you\u2019re attracting, what are people searching for in your site, the kind of platform (mobile, app, desktop) people are using to find you, and more importantly, what makes your site popular.<\/p>\n<p>Then GSC takes you on a subterranean dive to find and fix errors, design sitemaps, and check file integrity.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 144px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 109px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 990.8px; height: 109px;\">\n<h3 class=\"et_pb_module_header\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_website_unstuck_now_How_Click_the_Omaha_SEO_link_below\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #3366ff;\">Get your website unstuck now! How?<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #3366ff;\">Click the Omaha SEO link below!<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 35px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 990.8px; text-align: center; height: 35px;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Omaha SEO<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Precisely_what_does_Google_Search_Console_do_for_you_These_are_the_benefits\"><\/span>Precisely what does Google Search Console do for you? These are the benefits.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Search_engine_visibility_improves\"><\/span>1. Search engine visibility improves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ever experienced the sinking sensation of having done everything demanded of you for creating a great website, but people who matter can\u2019t locate you in a simple search?\u00a0Search Console\u00a0makes Google aware that you\u2019re online.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_The_virtual_image_remains_current_and_updated\"><\/span>2. The virtual image remains current and updated<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When you\u2019ve fixed broken links and\u00a0coding\u00a0issues, Search Console helps you update the changes in such a manner that Google\u2019s\u00a0search\u00a0carries an accurate snapshot of your site minus its flaws.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Keywords_are_better_optimized_to_attract_traffic\"><\/span>3. Keywords are better optimized to attract traffic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Wouldn\u2019t you agree that knowing what draws people to your website can help you shape a better\u00a0user experience? Search Console opens a window to the keywords and key phrases that people frequently use to access your site. Armed with this knowledge, you can optimize the site to respond better to specific keywords.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Safety_from_cyber_threats\"><\/span>4. Safety from cyber threats<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Can you expect to grow business without adequate protection against external threats? Search Console helps you build efficient defenses against malware and spam, securing your growing business against cyber threats.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Content_figures_prominently_in_rich_results\"><\/span>5. Content figures prominently in rich results<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s not enough to merely figure in a search result. How effectively are your pages making it into Google rich results? These are the cards and snippets that carry tons of information like ratings, reviews, and just about any information that results in better user experience for people searching for you. Search console gives you a status report on how your content is figuring in rich results so you can remedy a deficit if detected.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Site_becomes_better_equipped_for_AMP_compliance\"><\/span>6. Site becomes better equipped for AMP compliance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019re probably aware that mobile friendliness has become a search engine ranking parameter. This means that the faster your pages load, the more user-friendly you\u2019re deemed to be. The solution is to adopt accelerated mobile pages (AMP), and Search Console helpfully flags you out in the areas where you\u2019re not compliant.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Backlink_analysis\"><\/span>7. Backlink analysis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The\u00a0backlinks, the websites that are linking back to your website give Google an indication of the popularity of your site; how worthy you are of citation. With Search Console, you get an overview of all the websites linking to you, and you get a deeper insight into what motivates and sustains your popularity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_The_site_becomes_faster_and_more_responsive_to_mobile_users\"><\/span>8. The site becomes faster and more responsive to mobile users<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If searchers are abandoning your website because of slow loading speeds or any other glitch, Search Console alerts you so you can take remedial steps and become mobile-friendly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Google_indexing_keeps_pace_with_real-time_website_changes\"><\/span>9.\u00a0Google indexing keeps pace with real-time website changes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Significant changes that you make on the website could take weeks or months to figure in the Google Search Index if you sit tight and do nothing. With search console, you can edit, change, and modify your website endlessly, and ensure the changes are indexed by Google instantaneously.\u00a0By now you have a pretty good idea why Google Search Console has become the must-have tool for optimizing your website pages for improved search results. This also helps ensure that your business grows in tandem with the traffic that you\u2019re attracting and converting.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_eight_step_guide_on_how_to_use_Google_Search_Console\"><\/span>Your eight step guide on how to use Google Search Console<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_How_to_set_up_your_unique_Google_Search_Console_account\"><\/span>1. How to set up your unique Google Search Console account<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Assuming that you\u2019re entirely new to GSC, your immediate priority is to add the tool and get your site verified by Google. By doing this, you\u2019ll be ensuring that Google classifies you unambiguously as the owner of the site, whether you\u2019re a webmaster, or merely an authorized user.<\/p>\n<p>This simple precaution is necessary because you\u2019ll be privy to an incredibly rich source of information that Google wouldn\u2019t like unauthorized users to have access to.<\/p>\n<p>You can use your existing Google account (or create a new one) to access Google Search Console. It helps if you\u2019re already using Google Analytics because the same details can be used to login to GSC.\u00a0Your next step is to open the console and click on \u201cAdd property\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884190541-add.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of adding a property in Google Search Console\" width=\"862\" height=\"708\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"311223372\" \/><\/p>\n<p>By adding your website URL into the adjacent box, you get an umbilical connection to the console so you can start using its incredible array of features. Take care to add the prefix \u201chttps\u201d or \u201cwww\u201d so Google loads the right data.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_How_to_enable_Google_to_verify_your_site_ownership\"><\/span>2. How to enable Google to verify your site ownership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553880719211-verify.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of Google verifying site ownership\" width=\"821\" height=\"813\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"853421318\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_one\"><\/span>Option one<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_add_an_HTML_tag_to_help_Google_verify_ownership\"><\/span>How to add an HTML tag to help Google verify ownership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once you have established your presence, Google will want to verify your site. At this stage, it helps to have some experience of working in HTML. It\u2019ll be easier to handle the files you\u2019re uploading; you\u2019ll have a better appreciation of how the website\u2019s size influences the Google crawl rate, and gain a clearer understanding of the Google programs already running on your website.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553880852040-verify-html.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of adding an HTML tag to help Google verify ownership\" width=\"843\" height=\"430\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"1932023576\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If all this sounds like rocket science, don\u2019t fret because we\u2019ll be hand-holding you through the process.<\/p>\n<p>Your next step is to open your homepage code and paste the search console provided HTML tag within the &lt;Head&gt; section of your site\u2019s HTML code.<\/p>\n<p>The newly pasted code can coexist with any other code in the &lt;Head&gt; section; it\u2019s of no consequence.<\/p>\n<p>An issue arises if you don\u2019t see the &lt;Head&gt; section, in which case you\u2019ll need to create the section to embed the Search Console generated code so that Google can verify your site.<\/p>\n<p>Save your work and come back to the homepage to view the source code; the console verification code should be clearly visible in the &lt;Head&gt; section confirming that you have done the embedding correctly.<\/p>\n<p>Your next step is to navigate back to the console dashboard and click \u201cVerify\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>At this stage, you\u2019ll see either of two messages \u2013 A screen confirming that Google has verified the site, or pop up listing onsite errors that need to be rectified before completing verification. By following these steps, Google will be confirming your ownership of the site. It\u2019s important to remember that once the Google Search Console code has been embedded onsite and verified, any attempt to tamper or remove the code will have the effect of undoing all the good work, leaving your site in limbo.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-articles-middle\">\n<div class=\"related-articles-col\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SHARE_THIS_ARTICLE\"><\/span>SHARE THIS ARTICLE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"addthis_inline_share_toolbox_qwya\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-col\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RELATED_ARTICLES\"><\/span>RELATED ARTICLES<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"related-article\">Local SEO for enterprises: Optimizing for the Local 3-Pack<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-article\">Study: How to use domain authority for digital PR and content marketing<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-article\">Digital marketing strategy guide for B2B industrial manufacturers<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-article\">Google bans adverts for anti-censorship sites in China<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_Google_Search_Console_to_verify_a_WordPress_website_using_HTML_tag\"><\/span>Getting Google Search Console to verify a WordPress website using HTML tag<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Even if you have a WordPress site, there\u2019s no escape from the verification protocol if you want to link the site to reap the benefits of GSC.<\/p>\n<p>Assuming that you\u2019ve come through the stage of adding your site to GSC as a new property, this is what you do.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wordpress-seo-plugins\/\">WordPress SEO plugin<\/a> by Yoast is widely acknowledged to be an awesome SEO solution tailor-made for WordPress websites. Installing and activating the plugin gives you a conduit to the Google Search Console.<\/p>\n<p>Once Yoast is activated, open the Google Search Console verification page, and click the \u201cAlternate methods\u201d tab to get to the HTML tag.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll see a central box highlighting a meta tag with certain instructions appearing above the box. Ignore these instructions, select and copy only the code located at the end of the thread (and not the whole thread).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881245229-verify-yoast-1.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of verifying a WordPress website using Yoast\" width=\"1079\" height=\"407\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"2601141365\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now revert back to the website homepage and click through SEO&gt;Dashboard. In the new screen, on clicking \u201cWebmaster tools\u201d you open the \u201cWebmaster tools verification\u201d window. The window displays three boxes; ensure to paste the previously copied HTML code into the Google Search Console box, and save the changes.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881261926-verify-yoast.png\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"635908867\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now, all you have to do is revert to the Google Search Console and click \u201cVerify\u201d upon which the console will confirm that verification is a success. You are now ready to use GSC on your WordPress site.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_two\"><\/span>Option two<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_upload_an_HTML_file_to_help_Google_verify_ownership\"><\/span>How to upload an HTML file to help Google verify ownership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This is your second verification option. Once you\u2019re in Google Search Console,\u00a0proceed from \u201cManage site\u201d to \u201cVerify this site\u201d to locate the \u201cHTML file upload\u201d option. If you don\u2019t find the option under the recommended method, try the \u201cOther verification methods\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><mark class=\"comment_1553883630108\" data-comment-context=\"comment_1553883630108\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884383009-verify.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of uploading an HTML file to help Google verify ownership\" width=\"821\" height=\"813\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"857130739\" \/><\/mark><\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019re there, you\u2019ll be prompted to download an HTML file which must be uploaded in its specified location. If you change the file in any manner, Search Console won\u2019t be able to verify the site, so take care to maintain the integrity of the download.<\/p>\n<p>Once the HTML file is loaded, revert back to the console panel to verify, and once that is accomplished you\u2019ll get a message confirming that the site is verified. After the HTML file has been uploaded, go back to Search Console and click \u201cVerify\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>If everything has been uploaded correctly, you will see a page letting you know that the site has been verified.<\/p>\n<p>Once again, as in the first option we\u2019ve listed, don\u2019t change, modify, or delete the HTML file as that\u2019ll bring the site back to the unverified status.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_three\"><\/span>Option three<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_the_Google_Tag_Manager_route_for_site_verification\"><\/span>Using the Google Tag Manager route for site verification<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before you venture into the Google Search Console, you might find it useful to get the hang of Google Tag Manager (GTM). It\u2019s a free tool that helps you manage and maneuver marketing and analytics tags on your website or app.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll observe that GTM doubles up as a useful tool to simplify site verification for Google Search Console. If you intend to use GTM for site verification there are two precautions you need to take; open your GTM account and enable the \u201cView, Edit, and Manage\u201d mode.<\/p>\n<p>Also, ensure that the GTM code figures adjacent to the &lt;Body&gt; tag in your HTML code.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019re done with these simple steps, revert back to GSC and follow this route \u2013 Manage site &gt; Verify this site &gt; Google Tag Manager. By clicking the \u201cVerify\u201d option in Google Tag Manager, you should get a message indicating that the site has been verified.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884434921-tagmanager.png\" alt=\"Pop up screenshot of site verification using Google Tag Manager\" width=\"610\" height=\"332\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"3371313421\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once again, as in the previous options, never attempt to change the character of the GTM code on your site as that may bring the site back to its unverified position.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Option_four\"><\/span>Option four<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Securing_your_status_as_the_domain_name_provider\"><\/span>Securing your status as the domain name provider<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once you\u2019re done with the HTML file tagging or uploading, Google will prompt you to verify the domain that you\u2019ve purchased or the server where your domain is hosted, if only to prove that you are the absolute owner of the domain, and all its subdomains or directories.<\/p>\n<p>Open the Search Console dashboard and zero in on the \u201cVerify this site\u201d option under \u201cManage site\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>You should be able to locate the\u00a0\u201cDomain name provider\u201d option either under the \u201cRecommended method\u201d or the \u201cAlternate method\u201d tab. When you are positioned in the \u201cDomain name provider\u201d, you\u2019ll be shown a listing of domain hosting sites that Google provides for easy reference.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884490196-domain-name-provider.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of securing yourself as the domain name provider\" width=\"592\" height=\"418\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"4277144280\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At this stage, you have two options.<\/p>\n<p>If your host doesn\u2019t show up in the list, click the \u201cOther\u201d tab to receive guidelines on creating a DNS TXT code aimed at your domain provider. In some instances, the DNS TXT code may not match your provider. If that mirrors your dilemma, create a DNS TXT record or CNAME code that will be customized for your provider.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Integrating_the_Google_Analytics_code_on_your_site\"><\/span>3. Integrating the Google Analytics code on your site<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to Google Analytics (GA), this is a good time to get to know this free tool. It gives you amazing feedback which adds teeth to digital marketing campaigns.<\/p>\n<p>At a glance, GA helps you gather and analyze key website parameters that affect your business. It tracks the number of visitors converging on your domain, the time they spend browsing your pages, and the specific keywords in your site that are most popular with incoming traffic.<\/p>\n<p>Most of all, GA gives you a fairly comprehensive idea of how efficiently your sales funnel is attracting leads and converting customers. The first thing you need to do is to verify whether the website has the GA tracker code inserted in the &lt;Head&gt; segment in the homepage HTML code. If the GA code is to carry out its tracking functions correctly, you have to ensure that the code is placed only in the &lt;Head&gt; segment and not elsewhere as in the &lt;Body&gt; segment.<\/p>\n<p>Back in the Google Search Console, follow the given path \u2013 Manage site &gt; Verify this site till you come to the \u201cGoogle Analytics tracking code\u201d and follow the guidelines that are displayed. Once you get an acknowledgment that the GA code is verified, refrain from making any changes to the code to prevent the site from reverting to unverified status.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Google_Analytics_vs_Google_Search_Console_%E2%80%93_Knowing_the_difference_and_appreciating_the_benefits\"><\/span>Google Analytics vs. Google Search Console \u2013 Knowing the difference and appreciating the benefits<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For a newbie, both Google Analytics and Google Search Console appear like they\u2019re focused on the same tasks and selling the same pitch, but nothing could be further from the truth.<\/p>\n<p><em>Read also:\u00a0An SEO\u2019s guide to Google Analytics<\/em><\/p>\n<p>GA\u2019s unrelenting focus is on the traffic that your site is attracting. GA tells you how many people visit your site, the kind of platform or app they\u2019re using to reach you, the geographical source of the incoming traffic, how much time each visitor spends browsing what you offer, and which are the most searched keywords on your site.<\/p>\n<p>If GA gives you an in-depth analysis of the efficiency (or otherwise) of your marketing campaigns and customer conversion pitch. Google Search Console then peeps under the hood of your website to show you how technically sound you are in meeting the challenges of the internet.<\/p>\n<p>GSC is active in providing insider information.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are there issues blocking the Google search bot from crawling?<\/li>\n<li>Are website modifications being instantly indexed?<\/li>\n<li>Who links to you and which are your top-linked pages?<\/li>\n<li>Is there malware or some other cyber threat that needs to be quarantined and neutralized?<\/li>\n<li>Is your keyword strategy optimized to fulfill searcher intent?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>GSC also opens a window to manual actions, if any, issued against your site by Google for perceived non-compliance of the Webmaster guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>If you open the manual actions report in the Search Console message center and see a green check mark, consider yourself safe. But if there\u2019s a listing of non-compliances, you\u2019ll need to fix either the individual pages or sometimes the whole website and place the matter before Google for a review.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881326272-manual-actions-ok.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of a complying site on Google Search Console\" width=\"899\" height=\"293\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"2718564364\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Manual actions must be looked into because failure to respond places your pages in danger of being omitted from Google\u2019s search results. Sometimes, your site may attract manual action for no fault of yours, like a <a href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/what-are-the-hallmark-characteristics-of-spammy-backlinks\/\">spammy backlink<\/a> that violates Webmaster quality guidelines, and which you can\u2019t remove.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881359370-manual-actions-spam.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of a site non-compliance on Google Search Console\" width=\"1260\" height=\"418\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"3544061560\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In such instances, you can use the GSC \u201cDisavow Tool\u201d to upload a text file, listing the affected URLs, using the disavow links tool page in the console.<\/p>\n<p>If approved, Google will recrawl the site and reprocess the search results pages to reflect the change. Basically, GA is more invested in the kind of traffic that you\u2019re attracting and converting, while GSC shows you how technically accomplished your site is in responding to searches, and in defining the quality of user experience.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Packing_power_and_performance_by_combining_Google_Analytics_and_Google_Search_Console\"><\/span>Packing power and performance by combining Google Analytics and Google Search Console<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You could follow the option of treating GA and GSC as two distinct sources of information and analyze the reports you access, and the world would still go on turning.<\/p>\n<p>But it may be pertinent to remember that both tools present information in vastly different formats even in areas where they overlap. It follows that integrating both tools presents you with additional analytical reports that you\u2019d otherwise be missing; reports that trudge the extra mile in giving you the kind of design and marketing inputs that lay the perfect foundation for great marketing strategies.<\/p>\n<p>Assuming you\u2019re convinced of the need for combining GA and GSC, this is what you do.<\/p>\n<p>Open the Google Search Console, navigate to the hub-wheel icon, and click the \u201cGoogle Analytics Property\u201d tab.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881682993-console-analytics.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of how to combine Google Analytics and Google Search Console\" width=\"629\" height=\"381\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"1476520242\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This shows you a listing of all the GA accounts that are operational in the Google account.<\/p>\n<p>Hit the save button on all the accounts that you\u2019ll be focusing on, and with that small step, you\u2019re primed to extract maximum juice from the excellent analytical reporting of the GA-GSC combo.<\/p>\n<p>Just remember to carry out this step only after the website has been verified by Google by following the steps we had outlined earlier.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_you_do_with_Google_Search_Console\"><\/span>What should you do with Google Search Console?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_How_to_create_and_submit_a_sitemap_to_Google_Search_Console\"><\/span>1. How to create and submit a sitemap to Google Search Console<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Is it practical to hand over the keys to your home (website) to Google and expect Google to navigate the rooms (webpages) without assistance?<\/p>\n<p>You can help Google bots do a better job of crawling the site by submitting the site\u2019s navigational blueprint or sitemap.<\/p>\n<p>The sitemap is your way of showing Google how information is organized throughout your webpages. You can also position valuable details in the metadata, information on textual content, images,\u00a0videos, and podcasts, and even mention the frequency with which the page is updated.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not implying that a sitemap is mandatory for Google Search Console, and you\u2019re not going to be penalized if you don\u2019t submit the sitemap.<\/p>\n<p>But it is in your interests to ensure that Google has access to all the information it needs to do its job and improve your visibility in search engines, and the sitemap makes the job easier. Ultimately, it works in your favor when you\u2019re submitting a sitemap for an extensive website with many pages and subcategories.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, decide which web pages you want Google bots should crawl, and then specify the canonical version of each page.<\/p>\n<p>What this means is that you\u2019re telling Google to crawl the original version of any page to the exclusion of all other versions.<\/p>\n<p>Then create a sitemap either manually or using a third-party tool.<\/p>\n<p>At this stage, you have the option of adding the sitemap to the\u00a0robots.txt file\u00a0in your source code or link it directly to the search console.<\/p>\n<p><em>Read also:\u00a0Robots.txt best practice guide + examples<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Assuming that you\u2019ve taken the trouble to get the site verified by GSC, revert back to the search console, and then navigate to \u201cCrawl\u201d and its subcategory \u201cSitemaps.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On clicking \u201cSitemaps\u201d you will see a field \u201cAdd a new sitemap\u201d. Enter the URL of your sitemap in a .xml format and then click \u201cSubmit\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884697924-sitemap.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of adding a site map\" width=\"975\" height=\"452\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"3229449225\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With these simple steps, you\u2019ve effectively submitted your sitemap to Google Search Console.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_How_to_modify_your_robotstxt_file_so_search_engine_bots_can_crawl_efficiently\"><\/span>2. How to modify your robots.txt file so search engine bots can crawl efficiently<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s a file embedded in your website that doesn\u2019t figure too frequently in SEO optimization circles. The minor tweaking of this file has major SEO boosting potential. It\u2019s virtually a can of high-potency SEO juice that a lot of people ignore and very few open.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s called the robots exclusion protocol or standard. If that freaks you out, we\u2019ll keep it simple and call it the robots.txt file.<\/p>\n<p>Even without technical expertise, you can open your source code and you\u2019ll find this file.<\/p>\n<p>The robots.txt is your website\u2019s point of contact with search engine bots.<\/p>\n<p>Before tuning in on your webpages, the search bot will peep into this text file to see if there are any instructions about which pages should be crawled and which pages can be ignored (that\u2019s why it helps to have your sitemap stored here).<\/p>\n<p>The bot will follow the robots exclusion protocol that your file suggests regarding which pages are allowed for crawling and which are disallowed. This is your site\u2019s way of guiding search engines to pages that you wish to highlight and also helps in exclusion of content that you do not want to share.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no guarantee that robots.txt instructions will be followed by bots, because bots designed for specific jobs may\u00a0react\u00a0differently to the same set of instructions. Also, the system doesn\u2019t block other websites from linking to your content even if you wouldn\u2019t want the content indexed.<\/p>\n<p>Before proceeding further, please ensure that you\u2019ve already verified the site; then open the GSC dashboard and click the \u201cCrawl\u201d tab to proceed to \u201crobots.txt Tester.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><mark class=\"comment_1553883756854\" data-comment-context=\"comment_1553883756854\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884753710-robotstxt.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of robots.txt Tester\" width=\"669\" height=\"555\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"753848429\" \/><\/mark><\/p>\n<p>This tool enables you to do three things:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Peep into the robots.txt file to see which actions are currently allowed or disallowed<\/li>\n<li>Check if there are any crawl errors in the past 90 days<\/li>\n<li>Make changes to suit your desired mode of interacting with search bots<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve made necessary changes, it\u2019s vital that the robots.txt file in your source code reflects those changes immediately.<\/p>\n<p>To do that, shortly after making changes, click the \u201cSubmit\u201d tag below the editing box in the search console and proceed to upload the changed file to update the source code. Your root directory should then appear as www.yourwebsite.com\/robots.txt.<\/p>\n<p>To confirm that you\u2019ve completed the mission, go back to the search console\u2019s\u00a0robots.txt\u00a0testing tool and click \u201cVerify live version\u201d following which you should get a message verifying the modification.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_How_to_use_the_%E2%80%9CFetch_as_Google%E2%80%9D_option_to_update_regular_website_changes\"><\/span>3. How to use the \u201cFetch as Google\u201d option to update regular website changes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On-page content and title tags undergo regular changes in the website\u2019s life cycle, and it\u2019s a chore to manually get these changes recorded and updated in the Google search engine. Fortunately, GSC comes up with a solution.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve located the page that needs a change or update, open the search console, go to the \u201cCrawl\u201d option and zero in on the \u201cFetch as Google\u201d option. You\u2019ll see a blank URL box in the center.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_aBbmgWFoXJMwNCgY%2F1553881894833-fetch.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of how to use the \u201cFetch as Google\u201d in Google Search Console\" width=\"878\" height=\"226\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"2297561190\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Enter the modified page in the box to look like this; http:\/\/yourwebsite.com\/specificcategory, then click \u201cFetch and Render.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After completing this step go to the \u201cRequest indexing\u201d button and consider the options before you.<\/p>\n<p>What you have just done is to authorize the Google bot to index all the changes that you\u2019ve put through, and within a couple of days, the changes become visible in the Google search results.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_How_to_use_Google_Search_Console_to_identify_and_locate_site_errors\"><\/span>4. How to use Google Search Console to identify and locate site errors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A site error is a technical malfunction which prevents Google search bots from indexing your site correctly.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, when your site is wrongly configured or slowing down, you are creating a barrier between the site and search engines.\u00a0This blocks content from figuring in top search results.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you suspect that something is wrong with your site, you can\u2019t lose time waiting for the error to show up when it\u2019s too late, because the error would have done the damage by then.<\/p>\n<p>So, you turn to Google Search Console for instant troubleshooting. With GSC, you get a tool that keeps you notified on errors that creep into your website.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019ve opened the Google Search Console, you\u2019ll see the \u201cCrawl\u201d tab appearing on the left side of the screen. Click the tab and open \u201cCrawl errors\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><mark class=\"comment_1553882592164\" data-comment-context=\"comment_1553882592164\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"fr-fic fr-dib fr-draggable aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/clearvoice-media\/asg_id9SeQnNbQMdSvOD%2Fart_r2DYaGSmtUX0Z18J%2F1553884829284-crawl.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of crawling and identifying site errors in Google Search Console\" width=\"687\" height=\"546\" data-pagespeed-url-hash=\"1353730787\" \/><\/mark><\/p>\n<p>What you see now is a listing of all the page errors that Google bots encountered while they were busy indexing the site. The pop up will tell you when the page was last crawled and when the first error was detected, followed by a brief description of the error.<\/p>\n<p>Once the error is identified, you can handover the problem for rectification to your in-house webmaster.<\/p>\n<p>When you click the \u201cCrawl\u201d tab, you\u2019ll find \u201cCrawl stats.\u201d This is your gateway to loads of statistically significant graphs that show you all the pages that were crawled in the previous 90 days, the kilobytes downloaded during this period, and precisely how much time it took for Google to access and download a page. These stats give a fair indication of your website\u2019s speed and user-friendliness.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A virtual galaxy of webmasters, SEO specialists, and digital marketing honchos would give their right arm and left leg for tools that empower SEO and bring in more customers that\u2019ll ring the cash registers. Tools with all the bells and whistles are within reach, but many of them will make you pay hefty fees to access benefits.<\/p>\n<p>But here\u2019s a tool that\u2019s within easy reach, a tool that promises high and delivers true to expectations without costing you a dollar, and paradoxically, very few people use it.<\/p>\n<p>GSC is every designer\u2019s dream come true, every SEO expert\u2019s plan B, every digital marketer\u2019s Holy Grail when it comes to SEO and the art of website maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>What you gain using GSC are invaluable insights useful in propelling effective organic SEO strategies, and a tool that packs a punch when used in conjunction with Google Analytics.<\/p>\n<p>When you fire the double-barreled gun of Google Analytics and Google Search Console, you can aim for higher search engine rankings and boost traffic to your site, traffic that converts to paying customers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"TextMessage-module_main-RoFtW messageStyles-module_message-U3wQe TextMessage-module_isRightrail-l6zJ-\">\n<div class=\"messageStyles-module_message-U3wQe\">\n<div class=\"TextMessage-module_info-3paXQ\">\n<p class=\"MessageBody-module_main-26FrA\"><em>Dmitriy Shelepin is an\u00a0SEO expert and co-founder of Miromind.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Via: https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2019\/04\/05\/google-search-console-guide\/<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d50145.52267239351!2d-96.06936521284837!3d41.216982725960186!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e0!4m5!1s0x87938b6fbf0183c5%3A0x2d75869a60735922!2sWestlake%20Ace%20Hardware%2C%20Harrison%20Street%2C%20Ralston%2C%20Nebraska!3m2!1d41.1916545!2d-96.03767599999999!4m5!1s0x87938c3d0c92fcb1%3A0x98cf112f2e9fe028!2s5223%20Grover%20St%2C%20Omaha%2C%20NE%2068106!3m2!1d41.2266913!2d-95.99608579999999!5e0!3m2!1sfil!2sus!4v1653581867059!5m2!1sfil!2sus\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A virtual system of website admins, SEO masters, and computerized showcasing honchos would give just about anything and left leg for instruments that engage SEO and get more clients that will ring the money registers. Apparatuses with every one of the extravagant accessories are inside reach, however, a large number of them will make youRead More &raquo;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[742,1],"tags":[746,22],"class_list":["post-2662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-seo","category-search-engine-optimization","tag-omaha-seo","tag-search-engine-optimization","cat-742-id","cat-1-id"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>SEO And The Google Search Console - Omaha SEO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You can go for higher internet searcher rankings and lift traffic to your website, traffic that changes over to paying clients. Need help? Call us today!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"SEO And The Google Search Console - Omaha SEO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You can go for higher internet searcher rankings and lift traffic to your website, traffic that changes over to paying clients. Need help? Call us today!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Omaha SEO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/4socialmedia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-05-14T13:57:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-06-06T17:54:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Template18.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"425\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Phil Belleville\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@MySocialMediaCo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@MySocialMediaCo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Phil Belleville\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"23 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"SEO And The Google Search Console - Omaha SEO","description":"You can go for higher internet searcher rankings and lift traffic to your website, traffic that changes over to paying clients. Need help? Call us today!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/how-to-use-properly-the-google-search-console\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"SEO And The Google Search Console - Omaha SEO","og_description":"You can go for higher internet searcher rankings and lift traffic to your website, traffic that changes over to paying clients. Need help? 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After leaving a CFO role at a seven\u2011figure nonprofit, I built my first online business and hit #1 in AOL search within weeks\u2014then clients started asking me to replicate those results for them. Since then, I\u2019ve helped businesses turn WordPress sites into high\u2011performing assets through technical SEO, site architecture, speed, and content strategy, and I\u2019ve built and sold a WordPress site after growing it to 1,000+ organic keyword rankings. Today I own or co\u2011own multiple city\u2011based SEO properties that compete at the top in tough U.S. markets, and I now offer AI SEO so brands can show up in Google results and AI\u2011generated answers. To work with me, book a call from the homepage of Omaha SEO (Omaha\u2011SEO.com).","url":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/author\/philbell\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2662"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2662\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/omaha-seo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}