Simple setup guide

Set up Search Console

See how people find your website on Google, including search terms, clicks and impressions.

Before you start: A Google account and access to your website settings or domain provider. Search Console is free.

Already using Search Console?

Skip creating a new property. Check that the Google account you connect to Plotline can open your website in Search Console, then go straight to step 4.

  1. Add your website

    Open Search Console and choose Add property. Domain covers all versions of your site. If you cannot edit your domain settings, choose URL prefix and enter the full address, including https://.

    Open Search Console

  2. Prove the website is yours

    For Domain, copy Google’s TXT record into your domain provider’s DNS settings. For URL prefix, choose a verification method your website builder supports, such as an HTML tag. Keep the verification record or tag in place, then click Verify.

    Verification help

  3. Check your search report

    Open Performance to see clicks and impressions. If your site has a sitemap, you can also submit its address under Sitemaps. Your website builder can tell you the correct sitemap address; this is optional for connecting Plotline.

  4. Connect it to Plotline

    In Plotline, open Connections and click Connect Google. Use the account with access to this property and allow Search Console access. If Google is already connected, use Edit Access if needed, then Setup Google Data. Choose your website and click Import and start asking.

What to expect

New properties can take a few days to show data. Search reports are not live, and a site without search traffic may have no clicks yet. Verification does not guarantee Google rankings.

Connect in Plotline

Sign in or create a Plotline account if prompted. Plotline only reads your Google data.

Need a hand?

My website is not listed in Plotline

Check the email shown on Connections. In Search Console, an owner can add that Google account under Settings → Users and permissions. Restricted or Full access lets you read reports. Then return to Plotline and run Setup Google Data again.

Verification is not working

Check that you added the record to the correct domain and copied it exactly. DNS changes can take time. For URL prefix, make sure the address matches the version you verified, including https and www.

Google’s official setup guide