Guide · Shopify SEO

How to set up Google Search Console (Shopify and WordPress)

There's a free tool Google built that shows you the exact words real people type in right before they land on your website. Not guesses, not a keyword tool's estimate. The actual searches, from the last few months, that brought someone to you.

It's called Google Search Console. It's free, Google made it, and most business owners have never opened it once. This is the how-to for connecting it to a Shopify or a WordPress site. It takes a few minutes and you can't break anything.

What it actually shows you

Once it's connected and it's gathered a few days of data, you open one screen called Performance and you see a list of search terms. Those are the words people typed into Google before they clicked through to your site.

That list is gold. It tells you what people already think you sell, which of your pages Google is showing, and where you're sat on page two for a search you could be winning. Most owners are guessing at all three. This just shows you.

So the setup below is the boring bit. The payoff is that screen. Let's get you to it.

First, the bit that's the same for everyone

Whichever platform you're on, you start in the same place. Do these three, then jump to your platform below.

  1. 1Go to google.com/search-console and sign in with the Google account you use for the business.
  2. 2Click 'Add property'. Two boxes appear. Use the one on the right, 'URL prefix'.
  3. 3Paste in your full web address exactly as it shows in your browser, including the https, and click Continue.

Set it up on Shopify

Now Google wants to check you own the site. Here's the Shopify way, step by step.

  1. 1On the verification screen, choose 'HTML tag'. Google shows you one line of code. Copy the whole line.
  2. 2Open your Shopify admin in a new tab. Go to Online Store, then Themes.
  3. 3Find your live theme, click the three dots, and choose 'Edit code'.
  4. 4In the file list on the left, open the file called theme.liquid.
  5. 5Near the top you'll see a tag that reads <head>. Click just after it and paste your line of code on a new line.
  6. 6Click Save.
  7. 7Go back to the Search Console tab and click Verify. Green tick means you're done.

Shopify shortcut (skip the code)

If you already run Google Analytics on your store through the same Google account, you can often skip the code completely. On the verification screen pick 'Google Analytics' instead of 'HTML tag' and click Verify. One click, no theme editing. Try this first.

Set it up on WordPress

WordPress is easiest with a free plugin. Most people should use the one-click way.

  1. 1In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins, then Add New.
  2. 2Search for 'Site Kit by Google'. Install it, then click Activate.
  3. 3Open Site Kit and click Connect (or Sign in with Google).
  4. 4Sign in with your business Google account and follow the prompts. It sets up and verifies Search Console for you automatically. Done.

WordPress alternative (Yoast or Rank Math)

Already using an SEO plugin like Yoast or Rank Math? You can verify through it instead.

  1. 1On the Search Console verification screen, choose 'HTML tag'. Copy only the code inside the quotes after content=, not the whole line.
  2. 2In WordPress, open your SEO plugin's settings and find the box for Google or webmaster tools verification.
  3. 3Paste the code in and Save.
  4. 4Return to Search Console and click Verify. Green tick means you're done.

What to do once the data lands

Search Console needs a couple of days to start collecting, so don't panic if it's empty at first. Come back later in the week.

When it's ready, open the Performance tab and look at the Queries list. Read it like a customer. Are the words there the words you'd want to be found for? Are there searches sitting at position eight to fifteen, so close to page one that a small nudge would pull them up?

That list is the start of every sensible plan. You're no longer guessing what people want. You can see it.

Struggling to set this up?

Don't sweat it. Send me your site and I'll set it up, read the data for you, and hand back a plain-English breakdown of what your customers are searching. Free.

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Common questions

Is Google Search Console free?

Yes. It's a free tool made by Google. There's no card required and no paid tier. You just need a Google account to sign in with.

How long until I see data?

Verification is instant, but Search Console needs a couple of days to start collecting search data. Connect it now, then come back later in the week to open the Performance tab and see the words people are searching to find you.

Will editing theme.liquid break my Shopify store?

No. You're adding a single line inside the <head> tag, which is exactly what it's for. If you're nervous, use the Google Analytics one-click verification instead, or duplicate your theme first so you have a backup.

What's the easiest way on WordPress?

Install the free 'Site Kit by Google' plugin, activate it, and click Connect. It signs in with your Google account and sets up and verifies Search Console automatically, no code to copy or paste.

Free Revenue Snapshot

Not sure which one's costing you most?

Getting stuck on any of this, or not sure what the data's telling you once it lands? I can help. Send me your site and I'll read your search data for you and hand back a plain-English breakdown of what your customers are searching, which pages are working, and who's getting the clicks that should be yours. It's free. Grab a Revenue Snapshot below.

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