# Google Search Console

When you link a Google Search Console property to a domain, VitalSentinel turns on two modules: Google Search Console and Indexing Monitoring. The access is read-only. VitalSentinel never changes anything in Google.

## What the connection turns on [#what-the-connection-turns-on]

The **This lights up** card next to the Google Search Console setup lists the two modules:

- **Google Search Console**: clicks, positions and search opportunities. See [Google Search Console](/google-search-console/overview).
- **Indexing Monitoring**: which pages Google has indexed. See [Indexing Monitoring](/indexing-monitoring/overview).

VitalSentinel asks Google for read-only Google Search Console access and your email address. It starts to import at once, together with the history that Google keeps (up to 16 months).

### Ownership proof [#ownership-proof]

If your Google access to the property is **Owner** or **Full user**, the Google Search Console link also proves that the site is yours. The setup then shows "Also proves" your domain "is yours". It adds: "Site Health Monitoring and Page Monitoring need a verified domain, so this unlocks them." See [Verify Ownership](/getting-started/domain-setup/verify-ownership).

With less access, the setup says "With owner or full-user access this also proves the site is yours. You can do that on the last step."

## Before you start [#before-you-start]

- You need a Google account with access to the property in Google Search Console. If you have no property yet, add your site in Google Search Console first.
- Only workspace owners and admins can connect Google. A member sees **A workspace admin connects Google** and the button **Ask a workspace admin**. The button copies a message that you can send to an admin.
- The Google account connection is shared with everyone in the workspace.

## Choose the right property [#choose-the-right-property]

Google Search Console has two types of property. The type decides which pages the data covers. VitalSentinel shows the type on each row of the property list: **Domain** or **URL prefix**.

### Domain property or URL-prefix property [#domain-property-or-url-prefix-property]

| Type | What it covers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| **Domain** | All subdomains (www, m and others) and all protocols (http and https). | `example.com` |
| **URL prefix** | Only the addresses that start with the exact prefix, protocol included. Subdomains are not included. | `https://www.example.com/` |

Google verifies a domain property only with a DNS record. A URL-prefix property has more verification methods. For most sites, the domain property is the best choice, because it holds all the search data of the site.

### www and non-www, http and https [#www-and-non-www-http-and-https]

A URL-prefix property counts only one version of your site. For example, `https://example.com/` does not include `https://www.example.com/` or `http://example.com/`.

- If your site has a domain property, select it. It includes all versions.
- If you have only URL-prefix properties, select the one with the address that your visitors see. This is usually the `https://` version that your site redirects to.

If you select a URL-prefix property for a different version, Google Search Console in VitalSentinel shows little or no data.

### Which property VitalSentinel suggests [#which-property-vitalsentinel-suggests]

VitalSentinel shows the properties that match your domain first and marks them **Suggested**. URL-prefix properties for the same site, with or without www, also get this chip. If you have the domain property of the domain (for example `example.com`), VitalSentinel selects it for you. If no property matches, the list says "No property matches" your domain.

## Which Google account and access level you need [#which-google-account-and-access-level-you-need]

Use a Google account that has access to the property in Google Search Console. Google gives each user of a property an access level. The **Google Search Console** tab in domain settings shows it as **Your Google access**.

### What each access level allows [#what-each-access-level-allows]

| Access level | In Google Search Console | In VitalSentinel |
|---|---|---|
| **Owner** | Full control: views all data, uses all tools, adds and removes users. | Imports the data and proves that the site is yours. |
| **Full user** | Views all data and can do some actions, for example submit a sitemap. | Imports the data and proves that the site is yours. |
| **Restricted user** | Views most data. Cannot submit sitemaps or add users. | Imports the data. Does not prove that the site is yours. |
| **Unverified** | Not a verified user of the property. | Not enough access. Ask an owner for access. |

Google treats a verified owner and a delegated owner (an owner that another owner added) the same.

### Get more access from a property owner [#get-more-access-from-a-property-owner]

Only an owner of the property can add users in Google Search Console. Send these steps to the owner:

1. In Google Search Console, open the property.
2. Click **Settings**, then **Users and permissions**.
3. Click **Add user**.
4. Enter the email address of your Google account.
5. Select **Full** as the permission, then save.

After the owner adds you, sign in to Google again in VitalSentinel. See [Refresh the list of properties](#refresh-the-list-of-properties).

## Where to connect Google Search Console [#where-to-connect-google-search-console]

You can connect Google Search Console in three places:

- **Onboarding**: the third step, **Connect Google Search Console** (marked **Optional**).
- **Domain settings**: in the sidebar, select **Domain** > **Settings**, then the **Google Search Console** tab.
- **A module page**: if the module is not set up, the Google Search Console pages show **Connect Google Search Console**. The Indexing Monitoring pages show **Link a property**. Each button opens the side panel **Connect Google Search Console**.

## Connect Google and link a property [#connect-google-and-link-a-property]

The Google Search Console setup has two parts: sign in with Google, then pick the property.

### Sign in with Google [#sign-in-with-google]

1. In the **Sign in with Google** section, click **Connect Google**.
2. On the Google page, select the Google account that has access to the property.
3. Approve the read-only access.

Google then sends you back to the same place in VitalSentinel. The setup shows "Connected as" with your Google email and "Shared with everyone in this workspace."

### Pick the property [#pick-the-property]

After you sign in, the setup shows **Pick the Google Search Console property for** your domain.

1. Find the property for your domain. If you have the domain property of your domain, VitalSentinel selects it for you.
2. If you want a different property, click **Select** on its row.
3. In onboarding, click **Link property and continue**. In the side panel, click **Link property**.

A message then confirms that the property is linked. The setup shows "Google Search Console and Indexing Monitoring are on for" your domain.

### The property list [#the-property-list]

Each property row shows the property address, its type (**Domain** or **URL prefix**) and the Google account that can see it.

- Click **Pick another property** to see all properties. Click **Back to suggested** to go back.
- A property with the chip **Linked elsewhere** belongs to another domain. "Remove it from there first to use it here."
- A property with the chip **Reconnect required** belongs to a Google account that must sign in again.

If your Google account has no properties, the list shows **No Google Search Console properties found**. Add your domain in Google Search Console, then refresh the list of properties.

### Refresh the list of properties [#refresh-the-list-of-properties]

VitalSentinel reads your Google Search Console properties when you sign in to Google. If you add a property or get new access in Google later, sign in again:

1. On the workspace **Integrations** page, click **Reconnect** on the row of the Google account. You can also click **Add another account** in the setup.
2. Sign in with the same Google account.
3. Approve the read-only access.

The new properties then show in the list.

The property list also has a refresh button. On the Google Search Console page, it syncs the latest properties from your Google Search Console account. In onboarding, it reloads the list of properties.

### Add another Google account [#add-another-google-account]

If the property is in a different Google account, click **Add another account**. Then sign in with that account. The properties of all connected accounts show in one list.

## When the first data arrives [#when-the-first-data-arrives]

The Google Search Console module shows **Waiting for the first data** until the first data arrives. The sidebar shows "Linked – the first data arrives within 24 hours".

VitalSentinel imports the history first. Google adds new search data with a delay: Google says that data is normally available in 2 to 3 days. Thus the newest days are often missing or incomplete. Google can also change the newest data during the next hours.

Indexing Monitoring starts the first inspections right after you link the property.

## The Google Search Console tab in domain settings [#the-google-search-console-tab-in-domain-settings]

In the sidebar, select **Domain** > **Settings**, then the **Google Search Console** tab. The **Google Search Console property** card shows the linked property:

| Field | What it shows |
|-------|---------------|
| **Property** | The property address and its type: **whole domain** or **URL prefix**. |
| **Your Google access** | Your access in Google: **Owner**, **Full user**, **Restricted user** or **Unverified**. |
| **Linked on** | The date when you linked the property. |
| **Latest data** | How old the newest data is, for example **Today** or **3 days ago**. Before the first data, it says "None yet – nothing has been collected since the property was linked". |
| **Google connection** | **Connected**, or **Needs renewing** when Google no longer accepts the sign-in. |

The card has the buttons **Open Google Search Console**, **Change** and **Remove**. Domain **Settings** is for workspace owners and admins only.

If no property is linked, the card says **No Google Search Console property linked to this domain**, with the button **Connect Google Search Console**.

## Reconnect when Google asks you to sign in again [#reconnect-when-google-asks-you-to-sign-in-again]

When Google stops accepting the saved sign-in, VitalSentinel gets no new Google Search Console data. Your data stays as it is. You see this in these places:

- On the Google Search Console pages: **Google needs you to sign in again**. "The Google access for this workspace expired or was revoked. Data stays frozen until you reconnect."
- In the setup: "Google needs you to sign in again. Your data stays as it is."
- In domain settings: **Google connection** shows **Needs renewing**. If access was withdrawn, the text gives the date. Otherwise it says "Google no longer accepts the saved sign-in, so no new data arrives."
- On the workspace **Integrations** page: the account row shows **Needs reconnecting**.

### Reconnect Google [#reconnect-google]

1. Click **Reconnect Google**, or **Reconnect** in domain settings.
2. Sign in with the same Google account.
3. Approve the read-only access again.

Your domains keep their property links. A new sign-in also updates the list of properties that VitalSentinel can see.

### Why Google stops accepting a sign-in [#why-google-stops-accepting-a-sign-in]

Google describes these common causes:

- Somebody removed the access of VitalSentinel in the Google account.
- The Google Workspace admin of your company restricted Google Search Console for third-party apps.
- You gave access for a limited time only, and the time ended.
- The sign-in was not used for six months.

## Change the property [#change-the-property]

<Callout type="warn">
  If you switch to a new property, VitalSentinel permanently deletes all Google Search Console data that it collected for the current property. You cannot undo this.
</Callout>

1. In domain **Settings** > **Google Search Console**, click **Change**.
2. In the dialog **Change Google Search Console property**, read the list of data that VitalSentinel deletes.
3. In **Select new property**, select the new property.
4. Click **Change property**.

Collection starts at once for the new property. A message says "Property changed successfully. Data collection will begin shortly."

The deleted data is all performance metrics and timeline data, all queries and pages data, and all device and country data. It also includes the URL inspection and sitemaps history, unless the property is still in Indexing Monitoring. If no other property is free, the dialog says "No other Google Search Console properties are available to switch to."

## Remove the property [#remove-the-property]

<Callout type="warn">
  If you remove the property, VitalSentinel permanently deletes all Google Search Console data that it collected for this domain. The property stays in your Google account and you can link it again later, but the deleted data does not come back.
</Callout>

1. In domain **Settings** > **Google Search Console**, click **Remove**.
2. In the dialog **Remove Google Search Console property**, read the list of data that VitalSentinel deletes.
3. Click **Remove property**.

A message confirms the removal. If the property is still in Indexing Monitoring, the message says that VitalSentinel kept the URL inspection and sitemaps history.

## Disconnect a Google account [#disconnect-a-google-account]

To remove the link between one domain and its property, use **Remove** in domain settings. To disconnect a Google account from the whole workspace, use the workspace **Integrations** page. See [Integrations](/workspace/integrations).

## Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

### I connected the wrong Google account. What do I do? [#i-connected-the-wrong-google-account-what-do-i-do]

If the property is in another Google account, click **Add another account** in the Google Search Console setup. On the Google page, select the correct account, then approve the access. The properties of both accounts then show in one list. If no domain uses the wrong account, you can remove it on the workspace **Integrations** page.

### Why does my property not show in the list? [#why-does-my-property-not-show-in-the-list]

- If the property is in another Google account, click **Add another account** and sign in with that account.
- If you added the property or got access a short time ago, refresh the list. See [Refresh the list of properties](#refresh-the-list-of-properties).
- If the property shows **Linked elsewhere**, remove it from the other domain first.
- If the list says "No property matches" your domain, click **Pick another property** and look for the property there.

### Why does Google Search Console say "Google needs you to sign in again"? [#why-does-google-search-console-say-google-needs-you-to-sign-in-again]

The Google access for the workspace expired or was revoked. Click **Reconnect Google** and sign in with the same Google account. Your data stays, and new data arrives again after you reconnect. If the Google account was deleted or you lost access to it, connect another account that has access to the property.

### What happens if somebody removed VitalSentinel in the Google account? [#what-happens-if-somebody-removed-vitalsentinel-in-the-google-account]

A Google account owner can remove app access at [myaccount.google.com/linkedapps](https://myaccount.google.com/linkedapps). After that, VitalSentinel gets no new Google Search Console data. The Google Search Console pages then show **Google needs you to sign in again**, and domain settings show the date when the access was withdrawn. To fix it, click **Reconnect Google** and approve the access again.

### Why does Google say that the app is blocked? [#why-does-google-say-that-the-app-is-blocked]

If your Google account belongs to a company Google Workspace, the admin can block third-party apps. Google then shows a message that the app is blocked, and nothing connects. Ask your Google Workspace admin to allow VitalSentinel. In the Google Admin console, the setting is under **Security** > **Access and data control** > **API controls** > **Manage Third-Party App Access**. Then click **Connect Google** again.

### Why does Google Search Console show no data after I linked the property? [#why-does-google-search-console-show-no-data-after-i-linked-the-property]

The first data arrives within 24 hours. If no data arrives after that, the page shows **Google Search Console has not sent any data yet**. Make sure that you linked the right property and that Google reports search data for it. A new site, or a URL-prefix property for the wrong version of the site, can have little or no search data.

### Why are the newest days missing? [#why-are-the-newest-days-missing]

Google adds search data with a delay. Google says that data is normally available in 2 to 3 days. The newest data can also change during the next hours, while Google still collects it. Wait a few days, then look again.

### Why do the numbers differ from Google Search Console? [#why-do-the-numbers-differ-from-google-search-console]

- Make sure that you compare the same property. A domain property and a URL-prefix property count different pages.
- Compare the same dates. Google counts each day in the local time of California.
- Google adds or changes the newest days later.
- Google aggregates totals by property, but data grouped by page is aggregated by page. Thus the sum of the rows can differ from the total.
- Google does not show some queries, for example anonymized queries. Totals can include clicks from queries that no row shows.

### Why did Google Search Console stop sending data? [#why-did-google-search-console-stop-sending-data]

If the page says **Google Search Console stopped sending data**, VitalSentinel got no new data from Google for a while. Make sure that the property still exists in Google Search Console and that your Google account can still see it.

### Why does Indexing Monitoring not start? [#why-does-indexing-monitoring-not-start]

- If Indexing Monitoring shows **Link a property**, no property is linked to the domain. Link one in the Google Search Console setup.
- If the page says "We're reading your sitemaps for the first time.", wait. Indexing Monitoring checks the pages of your sitemaps.
- If a property shows **Access revoked**, reconnect Google.

See [Indexing Monitoring settings](/indexing-monitoring/settings).

### Why does the link not prove that the site is yours? [#why-does-the-link-not-prove-that-the-site-is-yours]

Only **Owner** or **Full user** access proves ownership. If your access is **Restricted user**, ask an owner of the property to give you **Full** or **Owner** access. Then sign in to Google again. You can also verify the site in another way. See [Verify Ownership](/getting-started/domain-setup/verify-ownership).

### Why can I not click Connect Google? [#why-can-i-not-click-connect-google]

Only workspace owners and admins can connect Google. Click **Ask a workspace admin** and send the copied message to an admin.

## Related [#related]

- [Google Search Console](/google-search-console/overview) - the module that the connection turns on
- [Indexing Monitoring](/indexing-monitoring/overview) - index status of your pages
- [Verify Ownership](/getting-started/domain-setup/verify-ownership) - other ways to prove that the site is yours
- [Integrations](/workspace/integrations) - connected Google accounts of the workspace
- [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting) - fixes when no data arrives