> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://okara.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting up Google Search Console

> How to add and verify Google Search Console for your website before connecting it to Okara.

Google Search Console shows you how your website performs in Google Search — clicks, impressions, average position, and top queries. Okara uses this data in your [Traffic tab](/dashboard/analytics/traffic) and to sharpen your [SEO recommendations](/channels/seo).

<Info>
  If your site is already verified in Search Console, skip to [connecting it to Okara](/integrations/google-search-console).
</Info>

***

## Step 1: Add your property

1. Go to [search.google.com/search-console](https://search.google.com/search-console)
2. Click **Add property**
3. Choose **Domain** (recommended — covers all subdomains and protocols) or **URL prefix**
4. Enter your website URL and click **Continue**

***

## Step 2: Verify ownership

Google needs to confirm you own the site. Choose the method that suits your setup:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="DNS record (recommended for Domain properties)">
    1. Copy the TXT record Google provides
    2. Log in to your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
    3. Go to your DNS settings and add a new TXT record with the value Google gave you
    4. Click **Verify** in Search Console

    DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="HTML file">
    1. Download the HTML verification file Google provides
    2. Upload it to the root of your website (e.g. `yoursite.com/googleXXXXXXXX.html`)
    3. Click **Verify**
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Google Analytics (easiest if GA4 is already installed)">
    If GA4 is already installed on your site, choose **Google Analytics** as the verification method. Google verifies ownership automatically using your existing analytics tag.

    Not on GA4 yet? Follow the [Google Analytics setup guide](/guides/google-analytics) first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="WordPress (Site Kit plugin)">
    If you installed **Site Kit by Google** for GA4, it handles Search Console verification automatically. Just connect Search Console inside the Site Kit dashboard.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Step 3: Submit your sitemap

Submitting your sitemap helps Google crawl your site faster and more completely.

1. In Search Console, go to **Sitemaps** in the left menu
2. Enter your sitemap URL — usually `yoursite.com/sitemap.xml`
3. Click **Submit**

Most website platforms generate a sitemap automatically. If yours doesn't, a plugin like **Yoast SEO** (WordPress) or **Google XML Sitemaps** can generate one.

<Note>
  Search Console data takes 2 to 3 days to populate after verification. This is normal — Google needs time to collect and process your search data.
</Note>

***

## Connect to Okara

Once your site is verified in Search Console, connecting it to Okara takes about a minute.

<Card title="Connect Google Search Console" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/integrations/google-search-console">
  Pull your search performance data into your Analytics panel.
</Card>