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How to verify your WordPress site in Google Search Console

Before Search Console shows your data, Google needs proof you own the site. The quickest way on WordPress is a one-line meta tag in your header.

  • Time: About 5 minutes
  • You need: A WordPress administrator login and a Google account
  • Updated:

Search Console shows which searches bring people to your site, which pages Google indexed and what’s broken. If you use Site Kit, it verifies your site automatically during setup and you can skip this guide.

Before you start

  • The free WPCode plugin installed (Plugins > Add Plugin).
  • Your site’s exact address, including https:// and whether it uses www.
  • Leave the tag in place afterwards. Google rechecks it, and access lapses if it’s removed.

  1. Step 1: Add your site as a URL-prefix property

    Go to Search Console (opens in a new tab), open the property menu at the top left and click + Add property. Under URL prefix, type your full address, like https://www.yourbusiness.com/, and click Continue.

    Search Console property type window with the URL prefix field and Continue circled
    Illustration: URL prefix, then Continue.

  2. Step 2: Choose HTML tag and copy it

    Under Other verification methods, open HTML tag and click Copy. The tag looks like <meta name="google-site-verification" ...>. Leave this window open.

    Search Console verification methods with HTML tag and the Verify button circled
    Illustration: HTML tag, copy it, Verify comes last.

  3. Step 3: Open Header & Footer in WordPress

    In a new tab, open your WordPress dashboard and go to Code Snippets > Header & Footer.

  4. Step 4: Paste the tag into Header and save

    Paste the tag into the Header box, on its own line, and click Save Changes.

    WPCode Header box with the Google verification meta tag and Save Changes circled
    WordPress 7.1 with WPCode: the tag in Header, then Save Changes.

  5. Step 5: Click Verify

    Back in Search Console, click Verify. You should see Ownership verified. If not, clear any caching plugin’s cache and try again.

The other options

  • Site Kit by Google verifies automatically when you connect Search Console during setup.
  • Domain property covers every version of your domain (www, non-www, subdomains) but needs a TXT record at your domain provider. If your domain is at GoDaddy, give me access and I’ll add it.

Quick answers

Google says it couldn’t find the tag.

Usually a cache is still showing the old page. Clear your caching plugin or host cache, then click Verify again. Also check that the address you entered matches your site exactly, including www.

Can I remove the tag after verifying?

No. Google checks it again from time to time and removes your access if it’s gone.

Official help pages

Checked against these pages on November 3, 2026.

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