Knowledge Base

Search Console Domain Verification: Add a DNS TXT Record Step by Step

In short: Search Console domain verification means adding the value Google gives you, which starts with google-site-verification=, to your domain's DNS as a TXT record and then completing verification in Search Console. A Domain property verified this way covers the http and https versions and every subdomain in a single property.

What is the difference between a Domain and a URL-prefix property?

Search Console has two property types. A Domain property (for example example.com) includes all protocol (http/https) and subdomain variations of your site and can only be verified with a DNS record. A URL-prefix property (for example https://www.example.com/) covers only the address you enter and can also be verified with methods such as an HTML file or an HTML tag. Verifying the root domain verifies all of its subdomains, but verifying a subdomain does not verify the root domain.

Before you start: where is your DNS managed?

The TXT record must be added at the DNS provider your domain's nameservers point to. A record added anywhere else will not be seen by Google. You can check the nameservers with:

dig NS example.com +short

On Windows, nslookup -type=NS example.com shows the same information. Whichever provider the nameservers belong to is where you add the record. Our nameserver guide explains the concept, and our DNS records guide explains what a TXT record is for.

How do you complete Search Console domain verification step by step?

1. Open Search Console, choose the Domain type when adding a new property and enter your domain without https:// or www (for example example.com).
2. In the verification dialog, select TXT as the record type. If your provider isn't listed, or a provider that isn't yours appears, continue with Any DNS provider.
3. Copy the full value Search Console gives you, starting with google-site-verification=. Keep the dialog open.
4. Create a new TXT record in your DNS management: leave the host/name field blank or enter @, as your provider's documentation describes, and paste the copied text into the value field.
5. If your domain already has other TXT records such as SPF (v=spf1 …), leave them unchanged and add the verification value as a separate, new TXT record.
6. Save the record and check that it is published: the output of dig TXT example.com +short should show your value. On Windows you can use nslookup -type=TXT example.com, and Google's Admin Toolbox Dig tool works from the browser.
7. Go back to Search Console and click Verify. According to Google, a manually added token can take up to two or three days before your provider starts serving it; if verification fails, wait a day or two and try again.

What should you check if verification fails?

• "Your verification DNS TXT record was not found": The record may not have propagated yet; our DNS propagation guide explains why DNS changes take time. Also confirm with the nameserver check that you added the record at the right provider.
• "Your verification record did not match": The value may have been copied incompletely or with extra spaces. Don't type the domain name into the host/name field again; some panels add it automatically, so the record can end up under the wrong name.
• If you can't add a TXT record: Google also offers a CNAME method for some cases; the instructions in the verification dialog tell you which record you need.

If you are not sure you added the record in the right place, you can open a support ticket at ÇAP Hosting. The full official instructions are on the Search Console Help page.

Can I delete the TXT record after verification?

No. Search Console periodically checks whether your verification token is still present and valid. If you remove the record, verification can no longer be confirmed and after a grace period you lose your permissions for the property.

Frequently Asked Questions