Ownership
Verify a site you just added
Adding a domain does not prove you control it. Verify once on the site overview, then rank tracking, monitoring, local SEO, and AI visibility unlock.
New sites start as Not verified. Audits, crawls, keywords, backlinks, domain, and competitors work without verification; rank tracking, monitoring, local SEO, and AI visibility require it.
Step by step
Step 1. Add the domain
How to use it: On Sites, type your domain (for example yourwebsite.com) and press Add site. That creates the workspace — it does not verify ownership.
Step 2. See the verify notice
How to use it: Open the site from the list. Until a check passes, a notice at the top asks you to verify the site. When any one method succeeds it is replaced by a green Verified badge.
Step 3. Open the verification window
How to use it: Press Verify site in the notice (or More, then Verify this site). A window opens with every method and the values for this site.
Step 4. Publish one proof
How to use it: Pick exactly one: Connect Search Console for that domain, add the DNS TXT record, upload the File under /.well-known/, or add the Meta tag to the homepage. Copy the values shown — they are unique to this site.
Step 5. Run the check
How to use it: Press I placed a record, file or tag — check now. Each method lists what we looked for and what we found until one passes.
Step 6. Use the tools that need it
How to use it: After Verified appears, use Rankings (under Keywords), Page change alerts, Local SEO, and AI visibility. Keyword research, Full site scan, Site structure, Backlinks, Competitors, and Domain overview already worked while you were unverified.
When a number looks wrong
- Connecting Search Console on the Search tab can verify the site automatically when Google already trusts you for that property.
- If verification was lost, the banner on the overview says when it stopped — fix the DNS, file, or tag and re-check.