Welcome back to TheSEOGuy. In our previous post we discussed about Preferred Domain setting in Google Search Console hope you like the information. Today we are will discuss an important aspect of Google Search Console. We will learn the Google Site Verification using Tag Manager. In this post we will share easy steps to verify ownership of your website in Google search console in simple and easy steps using google tagmanager.
Before we dive into the steps and procedure of google site verification, let’s understand little bit about both the tools.
Google Search Console
Previously known as Google Webmasters, Search console is a free tool provided by google to analyse the website performance. You can keep a track on website’s technical aspects and performance using google search console. It can give you detailed insights of your website performance in SERP. You can adjust your SEO Strategies based on the data you receive within the tool such as Queries, Pages, Country, Devices and much more.
What is Google Tag Manager?
Google Tag Manager is a magical tool to help you adding small tags and codes to your website without having any technical knowledge. It can help you tracking every possible event. Analysing and tracking is one of the important factors of marketing a website.
Time to learn how can we use Google Tag Manager to verify our website in Google Search Console. Given below are the step-by-step instructions.
Signing into Google Search Console
Go to Google Search Console official website and log in using your Google account.
Now click on top left bar and select “Add Property”.
It will give you two options, put the domain name or put the URL prefix. You can choose the option according to you.
After adding the domain or URL prefix it will open a google verification method box.
Choose Verification Option
Once you have added your website, Google will then give you various verification options that you actually own the website.
Choose “Google Tag Manager” as the verification option. This implies you will be using Google Tag Manager to show that the website belongs to you.
Open Google Tag Manager
Open google tag manager and sign in with your google account.
It is suggested to use the similar gmail account to login in tag manager and GSC. If you have not created account in tagmanager then create an account and sign in.
Once you sing in, it will ask you to Create an Account.
Click on create new account and follow the prompts.
Remember to pick the right container setup.
For website, it is necessary to pick “Web”
Add a New Tag
Inside Google Tag Manager, click on “Tags” on the left side and then click the “New” button.
Name your tag something like “Google Search Console Verification or Configuration”. It’s totally up to you what name you choose for the tag.
Set up the Tag
In Tag Setup, choose “Custom HTML”
Copy the HTML code Google Search Console provided you to verify
Fire the Tag
Upon entering the code, identify what will fire the tag. Under “Triggering”, pick “All Pages”. This means the tag will fire, or work, on all of your website’s pages
Publish the Change
Once your tag is set up, click on “Submit” in Google Tag Manager, then “Publish.” This will make the changes live on your website.
Back to Google Search Console
Publish the tag then head on back to Google Search Console.
Click on the “Verify” button next to your website. Google will check if the tag is working properly and, if everything is correct, you will be greeted by the message “Ownership Verified!
What to Do if Verification Fails?
If you did everything in the steps but are still unable to verify your site, here are some things to look into:
Did You Publish the Tag in Google Tag Manager?
Make sure that you clicked “Submit” and “Publish” after setting up the tag. That means that if you saved the tag but didn’t publish it, then Google will not see the tag on your website.
Check the HTML Code
Check you copied the correct code from Google Search Console and pasted it exactly as is in Google Tag Manager.
Clear Your Browser Cache
Sometimes your browser might be showing an older version of the website. Just clear your cache or use an incognito window to recheck.
Tag Manager Is Installed on Your Website
One thing you have to do is make sure Google Tag Manager has been installed on your website properly. You’re going to be able to find the tag manager code on each page of your site. If not, well then, your tag just isn’t going to work.
Wait a Little
Sometimes, it might take Google a few minutes before they are able to detect the changes, so don’t get alarmed. Wait for some time, try verifying once more.
By following these step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting accordingly, you should be able to successfully verify your site with Google Tag Manager.
Keep exploring TheSEOGuy for more Google Search Console tips and tricks. If you are looking for an expert to do it for you, just give us a call at +91-9968182198. We are more than happy to help you in Google Site Verification, setting up GTM and GA4 for you.
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