If you want your website to appear in Google search results, setting up Google Search Console (GSC) is a must. This tool not only helps Google discover and index your website but also provides insights into how it's performing in search.
This guide will walk you through the GSC setup process to ensure your site is correctly indexed by Google.
Step 1: Log In to Google Search Console
Start by visiting Google Search Console. Use your Google account to log in.
Step 2: Add Your Website Domain
After logging in:
Click the “Add Property” button.
Enter your website’s domain — either the root domain (e.g.,
example.com) or a subdomain (e.g.,shop.example.com).Click Continue.
A pop-up window will appear prompting you to verify ownership of the domain.
Step 3: Choose DNS Verification
From the pop-up, select "Instructions for" and choose "Any DNS provider". Google will then display a TXT record that you’ll need to add to your domain’s DNS settings.
Step 4: Add the TXT Record to Your DNS
Log in to your domain provider’s control panel and access the DNS management area. Follow the instructions to add a new TXT record.
Example TXT Record:
Name/Host/Domain | Record Type | Value | TTL |
shop.example.com | TXT | TBA* | Auto |
*Note: The actual value will be provided by Google during verification.
Depending on your domain provider, it may take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate across the internet.
Step 5: Verify Your Domain
Once you're confident that the TXT record has been added and propagated, return to Google Search Console and click “Verify.”
If successful, you’ll gain access to the dashboard for your website property.
Step 6: Submit Your Sitemaps
After verification, the next step is to help Google crawl and index your website by submitting your sitemap URLs.
Go to the “Sitemaps” section in the left-hand menu, and enter each of the following URLs (adjusted to match your domain):
Submit each one individually.
Important Note
After submitting your sitemaps, Google may take 7 to 30 days to begin indexing your pages. Be patient and check back periodically to monitor progress.
Final Thoughts
Google Search Console is a powerful tool for tracking and improving your website’s presence in search results. Setting it up properly ensures Google knows your site exists and can start delivering it to the right audience.
By following these steps, you're giving your website the best chance to be discovered on Google.