RIFY CLIENT GUIDE / Search & analytics

How to set up Google Search Console for your website

Sign in with Google, add your website, verify ownership through Cloudflare DNS and submit a sitemap.

About 15 min · DNS propagation may take longerUpdated RIFY Agency
Before you start

Search Console uses your existing Google account. Have your own website domain and access to its DNS ready. The official entry and login screens were captured. Adding a property, editing DNS, verifying ownership and submitting a sitemap are documented guidance, not completed actions or captured dashboard screens.

01

Open the official Search Console entry

#

Use the official link above and select Start now. We clicked the console link at the bottom of the page and reached Google sign-in.

Open the official Search Console entry — Actual browser screenshot
Actual screenshot · Click to enlarge · 2026.11.05
02

Sign in with the Google account responsible for your site

#

Use your own Google account, including an existing Gmail account. If you need one, see our Gmail registration guide first.

Sign in with the Google account responsible for your site — Actual browser screenshot
Actual screenshot · Click to enlarge · 2026.11.05
The walkthrough stopped at the empty login form. No email, password or verification code was entered.
03

Add a property and choose its scope

#

Follow the first-time setup, or choose Add property from the property selector. Choose the scope that matches what you manage.

Add a property and choose its scope — Reference table, not a screenshot
TypeExampleScope and verification
Domainexample.comAll protocols and subdomains; DNS verification. Omit protocol and path.
URL prefixhttps://www.example.com/Only the specified prefix; protocol and hostname matter. Use an offered verification method.
Dashboard guidance, not captured. Replace example.com with your own website.
04

Copy the DNS verification value

#

For the root-domain TXT method used here, copy the complete value supplied by Google. If automatic provider connection is offered, review the account and access before approving it; use the offered manual route when needed.

No real verification token was generated. Do not use another owner’s value or tutorial placeholder text.
05

Add a TXT record in Cloudflare

#

First confirm Cloudflare actually hosts the domain’s authoritative DNS. Select the domain, open DNS → Records and choose Add record. If DNS is hosted elsewhere, add the record there.

Add a TXT record in Cloudflare — Reference table, not a screenshot
FieldValue
TypeTXT
Name@ for this root-domain example; follow Google for subdomains
ContentThe complete TXT value from your own Google verification window
TTLAuto
SaveReview and save. TXT records have no orange-cloud proxy setting.
Not performed or captured. Add a record without overwriting existing website, mail or verification records.
06

Verify in Google and retain the record

#

Return to Search Console and select Verify. If it fails, check the domain, host, value and authoritative DNS provider, allow for propagation, then retry.

No site was verified. Keep the verification record after success because Google can check it again.
07

Submit your actual sitemap

#

Open Sitemaps in the correct property. Confirm your sitemap URL loads, then submit it. Ask your website team for the actual URL if uncertain.

Not performed or captured. /sitemap.xml is common but not universal. Submission does not guarantee indexing or ranking.
08

Review data and arrange collaboration

#

Check the selected site and its verification status before reviewing indexing or performance. A new property may initially have no data. Invite team members through property access settings according to their responsibilities instead of sharing a Google password.

No private search data was viewed and no user access was granted.

FAQ and official references

Is Search Console the same as Google Analytics?

No. This guide covers Google search performance and indexing, not Analytics visitor tracking installation.

What if I have Shopify access but no DNS access?

Ask the domain administrator to help, check offered URL-prefix verification methods, or request access from an existing verified owner.

Why does verification fail after saving DNS?

Saving a record does not guarantee it is already visible publicly. Check the authoritative provider, domain, host and value, and allow time for propagation.

Will setup immediately get my pages indexed?

No. Ownership verification, sitemap submission and Google indexing are separate processes.

Google: Add a website property ↗Google: Verify site ownership ↗Cloudflare: Manage DNS records ↗Google: Manage sitemaps ↗