How to set up Google Search Console to import search keywords

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Google Search Console is a free service provided by Google that helps monitor and maintain your site’s presence in Google Search results.

This guide explains how to set up Google Search Console and verify your website so Matomo can import keyword data from Google Search.

How to set up Google Search Console and verify your website

To import your Google Search Keywords in Matomo, you need to sign in to the Google Search Console and check your website is verified.

  1. Sign in to Google Search Console.
  2. Click Add property from the Search property dropdown in the top-left corner.
    upload property GA
  3. Select the property type that matches the website or URL scope you want to import keyword data for in Matomo. For guidance on choosing the right option, see Which property type should I use?
    Ga property
  4. Enter your Domain or URL Prefix and follow the verification instructions provided by Google.
  5. Once your website has been verified, continue with configuring the Google Search Keywords import in Matomo.
  6. If using Matomo Cloud, it is recommended to use the Quick Connect option for a faster and easier keywords import to Matomo Cloud.

Which property type should I use?

Use a Domain property for most websites to import complete keyword data into Matomo. A Domain property includes all subdomains, all protocols, such as http and https, and www and non-www versions. Domain properties require DNS verification (TXT record via domain registrar).

WordPress websites verified through Google Site Kit often use a URL Prefix property by default. If your website uses multiple protocols or subdomains, create a Domain property in Google Search Console and connect that property to Matomo instead.

URL Prefix property

Use the URL Prefix property only when you do not have access to DNS configuration or you only want to import keyword data for a specific URL, subdomain, or directory. A URL Prefix property only includes the exact URL and protocol entered.

Note: If your website uses multiple versions and you connect a URL Prefix property, Matomo only imports keyword data for that specific URL variant. Search traffic for other variants may appear as missing or lower-than-expected keyword data.

URL Prefix properties support several verification methods, including HTML file upload, HTML meta tag, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and DNS verification.

Troubleshoot missing or low keyword data

Check which Google Search Console property type is connected to Matomo. If the connected property is a URL Prefix property, verify that your website does not use additional variants excluded from that prefix, such as (http/https, www/non-www, subdomains). Matomo only imports keyword data for the exact URL variant included in the connected URL Prefix property.

Previous FAQ: What do I need to import my Google Search Keywords?