Google Analytics “out of the box” is an exceptionally valuable website analytics tool. Considered the most accurate analytics tool you can use, it can feel overwhelming to new or even casual users. Google does have a few other products that integrate with Google Analytics including AdWords, Webmaster Tools, and Search Console. Each product has its own steps you need to take to connect that product to your existing Google Analytics account. This post walks you through connecting your Google Analytics account to your Search Console, which will provide you additional data on your site’s search engine optimization.
Google Analytics Search Console Integration Steps
When signed in to your Google Analytics account, visit Search Engine Optimization –> Queries –> Reporting. You’ll see the posted information below that Search Console integration needs to be enabled in order to access that SEO information within your Google Analytics dashboard.
Click the grey button to set up Search Console data sharing.
The Search Console integration is made from within the Admin –> Property Settings of your account.
Scroll down and click on Adjust Search Console.
You will see the word “none” if you do not have your site verified. Click on Edit. A new tab will open.
You are now viewing Google’s Search Console. Click on the Add a Site to Search Console button to continue.
Verify that you do want to head over to Google Analytics to continue the verification process.
Welcome to the Search Console! You can also visit https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/home to get here. Add your URL into the field provided, then click Add Property.
The Search Console provides tons of important website data like crawl and index info, linking info, and security data. Once you have verified your site in the Search Console, you can see and access all of the above.
If you’ve added an SSL to your domain, you’ll need to add it as a new property in your Search Console along with adding a new meta tag (or your preferred method of site verification) as well. Google also recommends adding both the www. and non-www. versions of your domain as additional properties within your Search Console account.
You have multiple ways to potentially verify your site with Google. You can do so with your domain name provider.
You also can pretty easily verify your site yourself by choosing either the Google Analytics or the HTML tag option. If you choose the Google Analytics option, all you’ll need to do is click to verify. You do need the correct type of Google Analytics tracking code installed on your site for this option to be a viable one, however.
Though the HTML option may sound a bit complicated, all you need to do is copy and paste a line of code into the <head> section of your site. If you use a CMS like WordPress, you likely have a field built in to your theme’s settings meant for this, so you don’t actually need to know anything about HTML or coding to verify your site this way.
It may take some time to get the green check mark. The couple times I’ve recently done it, it took about 10 minutes or so (and several failed click attempts) to work. So do try to be patient.
When you return to the Search Console page, you’ll see your verified URL now listed. Click on the radio button to select that URL, then click Save.
Next you’ll see your newly verified site listed in your Search Console. You can click on it to manage it and view all the types of important site data mentioned above (indexing, crawl, security).
Back inside your Google Analytics account, you’ll see your URL now listed in the Search Console Site settings.
Most of Google Analytics reporting is 24 hours delayed (an obvious exception to this is if you are viewing the live feed). Check back in a few days to see the new data being reported in the Search Console –> Queries section of your Google Analytics dashboard.
Excellent article, Liz on a terrifying subject for some. Was for me. Must be done and if you are like me . . . don’t hesitate to ask for help. Sounds like you know how and can help Liz! 🙂