We compiled a few tips on how to verify you property in Search Console using the DNS method. Those tips were inspired by common issues posted throughout the Google Search Central forums.

Domain properties show data for all URLs under the domain name, including different protocols, subdomains, and paths. They give you a complete view of your website in Search Console. DNS record provides an alternative way to verify for folks who struggle with the existing HTML file or meta tag methods. With a domain property you can verify just once and have a property with information for all your URL-prefix pages (http, https, with and without www).

Before you read this you should check our help article on how to verify a domain property. Every hosting provider or domain register has a slightly different location where they keep the DNS records where you can update them. Your host or domain registrar is the best point of contact for information on steps you need to follow in order to set your DNS records.

Of course, there are other verification methods besides DNS, so you should ask yourself if doing this is necessary or beneficial. You’ll have to access your DNS records on your server, host provider or domain register and make some modifications there, so if you are not sure of what you are doing, you should look for professional help. 

TIP #1: When you try to verify a domain-level property on Google Search Console you’ll see a small sample list with instructions for specific host providers in the section “Instructions for:”

But If you verify using the webmaster tools you’ll see more options:

TIP #2: You can also see a list of hosts' specific verification processes on this Google Workspace Admin Help Article. Although these are the steps for verification for Google Workspace (Previously G-Suite), the steps are exactly the same as you would do to verify your domain in Search Console. Simply select your provider from there and follow the steps.

TIP #3: You can verify your property through a CNAME or TXT register, Search Console supports both formats. So if one fails, try the other!

Click here for more information.

TIP #4: It might take up to 24 hours for your DNS settings to propagate properly, so please wait if the verification doesn’t work right away. One thing you can try is to flush Google’s DNS (that is, clear its cache). Go to https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/cache, insert your domain name, change the RR type to ALL and click on “Flush Cache”

TIP #5: you can use Google’s Admin Toolbox to check whether the TXT or CNAME records are showing up: https://toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/dig/ (change the record type to TXT or CNAME and check the results).

TIP #6: We still suggest verifying using both domain-property (DNS) and URL-prefix methods for a couple of reasons: