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Set up Google Search Console

To set up Google Search Console, add your domain as a property, verify ownership with a DNS record, then submit your sitemap. After that you can see which search terms your site appears for, how often it gets clicked and which errors Google finds.

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Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read

What is Search Console?

A free Google tool for website owners. It shows how Google sees your site: which pages are indexed, which searches you appear for, how often people click and whether there are technical problems. It does not change your ranking directly, but without it you are working blind.

How do I set it up?

  1. 1

    Open Search Console with a Google account, ideally the one your business uses.

  2. 2

    Add a property. Choose the domain property, which covers every variant, such as with and without www.

  3. 3

    Google shows you a TXT record. Add it in the DNS settings of your domain.

  4. 4

    Back in Search Console, click Verify. It can take a while for the record to be detected.

  5. 5

    Under Sitemaps, submit the address of your sitemap, usually yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml.

The TXT record changes nothing on your website or email. It only serves as proof of ownership.

Which reports matter?

  • Performance. Search queries, impressions, clicks, click-through rate and average position, per page and per search term.
  • Pages. Which pages are indexed and why others are not.
  • Core Web Vitals. Whether your pages do well on loading time and stability.

What do I check every month?

  • Which search terms get many impressions but few clicks? Sharpen the title and description there.
  • Which pages sit at position 5 to 20? A rewrite pays off most here.
  • Are there new errors under Pages, such as 404s after a move?
  • Are new search terms appearing that you have no page for yet?

What about Bing?

Bing has a similar tool, Bing Webmaster Tools, which you can even connect to your Search Console account. Bing matters because various chat searches and assistants draw on search indexes such as Bing's. There is also IndexNow: it tells Bing and other search engines about changed pages straight away. Google does not use IndexNow. More in the guide Bing Places and Apple Business Connect.

What if I have no access to the DNS settings?

There are other ways to verify, such as a file on the website or an entry in the code, but only for a URL-prefix property. The domain property is more comprehensive, though. It is often worth sorting out DNS access with your provider.

At freeehouse, we set up Search Console, Bing and the sitemap when every website launches, and we report new pages via IndexNow. We do not charge for the build. You only pay for hosting with care, cheaper than what you pay today. How freeehouse works

Example: what do I read from the Performance report?

Say your bathroom renovation page appears 2,000 times a month in search but gets only 20 clicks, at an average position of 8. Then Google finds the page relevant, but the title and description are not convincing, or it ranks just below the results everyone sees. Possible steps: sharpen the title with a place and a benefit, answer the question behind the search in the first paragraph, add prices or the process, and link to this page from other pages on your website.

Frequently asked questions

Is Google Search Console free?

Yes, completely.

Do I need Search Console if I use a website builder?

Yes, it works independently of the system. Many website builders offer a simple connection.

What is the difference from Google Analytics?

Search Console shows how you appear in search. Analytics shows what visitors do on your site. Analytics usually needs consent in the cookie banner, Search Console does not.

How often should I check?

Once a month is enough for most small businesses, and more often in the first weeks after a move.

Sources

Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.

Read more

Getting your website found on Google: how it works301 redirects when moving a websitePage titles and descriptions that get clickedBing Places and Apple Business Connect
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