How to set up Google Search Console domain verification in Hostgator

Mar 30, 2020 cpanel dns-records google-search-console hostgator
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Overview

Introduction

Recently, I set up a WordPress blog using HostGator's shared hosting.

After writing the first post, I wanted to register the domain in Google Search Console (GSC) (former Google Web Master Tools). This tool provides you with very useful information on how Google's search engine sees your site. GSC shows you insights regarding the performance of your site, referral links, sitemap, and some other experimental capabilities.

For this tutorial, I will use the sample domain name sampleblog.blog.

Prerequisites

You will need an access to your HostGator cPanel. If you are not familiar with how to access it, please refer to the logging on to cPanel article.

My Stack

  • HostGator Baby Croc account
  • cPanel version 78.0 (build 47)

Step 1: Registering your domain in GSC

In early 2019, Google announced its domain properties capability, providing an easy way to verify ownership of a domain in the Google Search Console.

If this is the first domain you are registering, once you open the GSC, you will see the following screen:

Domain property type in GSC

Domain property type in GSC

  • Chose Domain option and type your domain name sampleblog.blog
  • Click on the Continue button.

Step 2: Verifying the ownership via DNS record

As GSC requires domain ownership proof, in the following screen it requests adding a new TXT record with a specific code.

Verify domain ownership DNS

Verify domain ownership DNS

  • In the Instructions for dropdown, you can find domain providers like GoDaddy and Name.com, for which Google is able to write the DNS records automatically. Unfortunately, HostGator is not supported in the list, so we will have to write them manually.
  • Make sure Any DNS Provider is selected.
  • Click on the Copy button to copy the text to your clipboard. Note this functionality is not fully supported in all browsers. In case the text is not copied, copy it manually using CTRL+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac.

Step 3: Setting the TXT record in HostGator

Opening 'Advanced Zone Editor'

  • Open the cPanel main screen
  • Locate the DOMAINS group
  • Click on Advanced Zone Editor
cPanel Advanced Zone Editor

cPanel Advanced Zone Editor

Selecting the TXT record type

  • In the following screen, locate the Add Record section
  • From the Type dropdown, select TXT
Choose TXT in the Type dropdown

Choose TXT in the Type dropdown

Filling the record fields

  • Leave the Name field blank, as HostGator will set it automatically to your domain name.
  • Set the TTL (Time to live) records to 14400 (meaning 4 hours). This tells the named server resolver how long in seconds to store the value in it's cache. Since we are not expected to change this value, 4 hours is reasonable.
  • In the TXT Data field, paste the text you copied from Google Search Console.
  • Click on Add Record to finish.
  • Please note that it might take between a few seconds to a few hours until this change takes effect, so don't get discouraged if GSC is not able to immediately verify your site.
Fill TXT records for site verification

Fill TXT records for site verification

Step 4: Verifying in Google Search Console

Assuming you set the TXT record correctly, the only part left is to let Google verify the record.

  • Go back to Google Search Console
  • Click on the Verify button
  • This process might take a few seconds. By the end of the process, you should see a message displaying that your domain is verified and added to Google Search Console.

Troubleshooting

  • In case Google is not able to find the TXT records, it's recommended to wait a few minutes/hours until the DNS TXT record is fully updated.

Useful Resources