Connecting Blogger to Google Search Console

Google Search Console is an essential tool for monitoring and optimizing your site’s visibility in Google’s search results. If you have a blog on Google Blogger and want to connect it to Google Search Console, it’s important to set up the connection correctly to take advantage of all the platform’s features. This article will guide you through the process of connecting your Blogger site to Google Search Console, whether you’re using a custom domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com) or sticking with Blogger’s default domain (e.g., yoursite.blogspot.com).

Connecting Blogger to Google Search Console Without a Custom Domain

If you prefer not to use a custom domain and continue using Blogger’s default domain (such as yoursite.blogspot.com), the process of adding your site to Google Search Console is very straightforward. In this case, you won’t need to worry about configuring DNS records, as Blogger automatically handles the domain for you.

1. Log in to Google Search Console and click on “Add a Property.”
2. Enter the full URL of your blog, including the https:// prefix (e.g., https://yoursite.blogspot.com).
3. Google will provide you with several verification methods. The simplest method is the HTML method, which allows you to add a verification tag directly in your Blogger settings.

To use the HTML method:

• Copy the verification code provided by Google.
• Go to Blogger, access the Settings of your blog, and select “Search Preferences.”
• In the “Site Verification” section, paste the HTML verification tag and save your changes.

Once the verification is complete, you’ll be able to start monitoring your blog’s performance in Google Search Console.

Connecting Blogger to Google Search Console With a Custom Domain

If you want to use a custom domain (such as www.yoursite.com) for your Blogger blog, the process is slightly more involved but allows you to have a more professional-looking address. This will help improve your site’s credibility and make it appear more trustworthy. Let’s walk through how to configure your domain, set up DNS records, and add your site to Google Search Console.

1. Purchase the Custom Domain

The first step is to purchase a custom domain from a domain provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, or any other similar service. Once you’ve purchased the domain, you need to configure it to point to your Blogger blog.

For example:

• Let’s say you want to use the domain www.yoursite.com.

2. Set Up the Domain on Blogger

Once you’ve purchased your custom domain, you need to configure it on Blogger. Here’s how:

1. Log into Blogger and go to the Settings section of your blog.
2. Under the “Blog Address” section, enter your custom domain, such as www.yoursite.com.
3. Blogger will provide you with two critical pieces of information for configuring DNS records: a CNAME record and an A record.

3. Configure the DNS Records

Log into your domain provider’s control panel (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and modify the DNS settings for your domain. You need to add the following records:

CNAME Record

This record points your domain to Blogger. Blogger will give you a CNAME address, which will look something like this:

• Name (Host): www
• Value (Destination): ghs.google.com

Add a CNAME record for your domain where www points to ghs.google.com.

A Record

Blogger also requires you to add an A record to ensure your domain works correctly even without the “www” prefix (for example, yoursite.com without the www). The A records you need to add are:

• Name (Host): @
• Value (Destination): 216.239.32.21
• Value (Destination): 216.239.34.21
• Value (Destination): 216.239.36.21
• Value (Destination): 216.239.38.21

These addresses are Google’s servers for Blogger. When you add these records, your domain will be properly set up to point to your blog on Blogger.

Example DNS Configuration:

• CNAME Record:
  • Name: www
  • Destination: ghs.google.com
• A Record:
  • Name: @
  • Destination: 216.239.32.21
  • Destination: 216.239.34.21
  • Destination: 216.239.36.21
  • Destination: 216.239.38.21

After adding these records, save your changes in the control panel of your domain provider. It may take several hours for DNS changes to propagate, so be sure to wait the necessary time for the changes to take effect.

4. Add the Site to Google Search Console

Once your domain is correctly set up on Blogger, you can proceed to link it to Google Search Console to monitor the site’s performance. Here’s how:

1. Go to Google Search Console and click on “Add Property.”
2. Enter the full URL of your site, e.g., https://www.yoursite.com.
3. Select the DNS verification method. Google will provide a TXT record that you need to add to your domain’s DNS settings. This TXT record will look something like this:iniCopiagoogle-site-verification=xyz123abc456
4. Go back to your domain provider’s control panel and add the TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings.Example of TXT Record:
   • Name: @
   • Value: google-site-verification=xyz123abc456
5. After adding the TXT record, return to Google Search Console and click “Verify.” If everything is configured correctly, Google Search Console will confirm the verification of your site.

5. Monitor and Optimize with Google Search Console

After successfully verifying your site, you can start monitoring its performance via Google Search Console. The platform will provide you with useful data, such as:

• Keywords that drive traffic to your blog.
• Impressions and clicks for each page.
• Indexing errors to fix.
• Backlinks pointing to your site.
• Suggestions for optimizing content.

Additionally, using Google Search Console, you can receive alerts about potential SEO issues, such as 404 errors, mobile-friendliness problems, or site speed issues.

Monitoring and Optimizing the Site with Google Search Console

Once your blog is connected to Google Search Console, you can start monitoring various aspects of your site’s performance. Search Console gives you detailed insights into how your site appears in Google search results, highlighting the keywords that bring traffic and any potential indexing issues.

Additionally, you’ll be able to analyze data such as clicks, impressions, and CTR (click-through rate), identifying the most visited pages and those that need optimization. By using Google Search Console data, you can improve your site in various ways, such as optimizing meta descriptions, including the right keywords, and fixing any 404 errors.

Conclusion

Connecting your Blogger blog to Google Search Console is a crucial step for improving your site’s visibility, whether you’re using a custom domain or not. With access to Search Console, you’ll have the tools necessary to monitor your site’s traffic, identify issues, and optimize your site’s position on Google. Use this data to continually improve your site and increase its online presence.

FAQ

1. Can I connect my Blogger site to Google Search Console without a custom domain? Yes, you can do so using Blogger’s default domain (e.g., yoursite.blogspot.com).
2. How do I add my blog to Google Search Console? Simply log into Search Console, add your blog’s URL, and choose a verification method.
3. How do I verify my blog’s ownership on Search Console? You can use the HTML method or the DNS method, depending on whether you have a custom domain.
4. What should I do if the site verification fails? Check that the verification code has been correctly added to your Blogger settings or DNS.
5. Can I use Google Search Console if I don’t have a custom domain? Yes, you can use Search Console with Blogger’s default domain.
6. What are DNS records and how do I configure them? DNS records are settings that ensure your domain points to your blog on Blogger. You’ll need to configure CNAME and A records in your domain provider’s panel.
7. Why is it important to connect Blogger to Google Search Console? Google Search Console allows you to monitor your site’s performance and optimize its visibility in search results.
8. How can I improve my blog using Search Console? You can analyze keywords, optimize meta descriptions, and fix indexing issues.
9. Can I use Search Console with other CMS platforms besides Blogger? Yes, Search Console works with any website, not just Blogger.
10. Is Google Search Console free? Yes, Google Search Console is a free tool offered by Google.