Mastering Google Search Console: A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Property Sets

Welcome to the ultimate guide on mastering Google Search Console! In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up property sets in Google Search Console. Whether you are a website owner, a digital marketer, or a SEO professional, understanding and utilizing Google Search Console is essential for optimizing your website’s performance and enhancing its visibility in search results. Property sets offer a powerful way to manage multiple versions of a website in a single dashboard, and in this article, we will show you how to set them up like a pro. So, let’s dive in!

What is Google Search Console?

Google Search Console is a free web service provided by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your website’s presence in Google search results. It provides valuable insights into your website’s search performance, index coverage, and allows you to submit sitemaps for better indexing. With Google Search Console, you can identify and fix issues that may impact your website’s visibility, making it an invaluable tool for website owners and SEO professionals.

Why Use Property Sets?

Property sets are a feature in Google Search Console that allow you to group multiple versions or subdomains of a website together, providing a consolidated view of their performance metrics. This is particularly useful if you have different versions of your website, such as a mobile version, a subdomain for a blog, or an international version. By setting up property sets, you can analyze the aggregate data of all the versions in one place, saving you time and effort.

Setting Up Property Sets: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console

The first step is to sign in to your Google Search Console account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free by visiting the Google Search Console website and following the instructions to verify your ownership of the website.

Step 2: Add Your Website

Once you are signed in, click on “Add Property” and enter the URL of your website. Follow the verification process to prove that you own the website. Once verified, your website will be added to Google Search Console.

Step 3: Create a Property Set

After adding your website, click on “Create Property Set” from the left-hand side menu. Give your property set a name that makes it easy to identify, such as “All Versions” or “Mobile and Desktop”.

Step 4: Add Properties to the Set

Now it’s time to add properties to the set. You can select from the properties you have already added to Google Search Console or add new properties. To add a property, click on “Add a Property” and enter the URL of the property you want to add. Repeat this process for each property you want to include in the set.

Step 5: Verify Ownership of Each Property

For each property added to the set, you need to verify your ownership. This ensures that you have the necessary permissions to access the data for that property. Follow the verification process for each property separately.

Step 6: Configure Preferred Version

If you have multiple versions of your website, such as “www” and “non-www” versions, you can specify a preferred version in the property set. This helps Google understand which version you prefer to show in search results. To configure the preferred version, click on the property set, go to the “Settings” tab, and select the preferred version from the drop-down menu.

Step 7: Explore the Data

Once you have set up your property set, you can start exploring the data. The “Performance” section provides insights into how your website is performing in Google search results, including clicks, impressions, average position, and more. The “Index Coverage” section allows you to monitor the indexing status of your website and identify any issues that may affect its visibility. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different sections and metrics available in Google Search Console.

Step 8: Set Up Notifications

To stay informed about any issues or updates related to your website, you can set up notifications in Google Search Console. These notifications can be sent to your email address, keeping you updated on any critical issues or changes that require your attention. You can configure notifications for various events, such as index coverage issues, manual actions, or site errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I add properties from different accounts to a single property set?

A: No, property sets can only include properties from the same Google Search Console account.

Q: How many properties can I add to a property set?

A: Google Search Console allows you to add up to 200 properties to a single property set.

Q: Can I remove properties from a property set?

A: Yes, you can remove properties from a property set at any time. Simply go to the property set, select the property you want to remove, and click on the “Remove” button.

Q: Can I change the preferred version of a property in a property set?

A: Yes, you can change the preferred version of a property in a property set. Simply go to the property set, click on the “Settings” tab, and select a new preferred version from the drop-down menu.

Q: Can I create custom sets based on specific criteria?

A: No, property sets are limited to grouping different versions or subdomains of a website. You cannot create custom sets based on specific criteria or filters.

Q: Can I access historical data for properties added to a property set?

A: Yes, Google Search Console retains historical data for each property even when added to a property set. You can access the historical data by clicking on the individual properties within the property set.

Conclusion

Congratulations on mastering Google Search Console and setting up property sets like a pro! By following this step-by-step guide, you have gained the ability to manage multiple versions of your website effectively and access consolidated performance metrics in one place. Remember to regularly monitor the data in Google Search Console, address any issues that arise, and use the insights to optimize your website’s search performance. With Google Search Console at your disposal, you are well-equipped to enhance your website’s visibility and drive more organic traffic. Happy optimizing!