Blog

Shopify Google Search Console: The Complete Guide for 2024

November 7, 2024 No comments yet
Shopify google search console

Shopify Google Search Console can be a game-changer for increasing your online visibility. Is your Shopify store a hidden gem, just waiting to be discovered by eager shoppers? Many Shopify users quickly set up Google Analytics, but GSC often gets overlooked—even though it’s packed with tools to help your store rank higher, fix SEO issues, and attract the right crowd. If you’re ready to take control of your store’s search performance, then let’s dive in! This guide covers everything from setup to sitemap submission and beyond.

What is the Google Search Console for Shopify?

Think of Google Search Console for Shopify as your go-to toolkit for SEO insights and site health on Google. It’s free, and while Google Analytics helps you understand your visitors’ behavior, GSC focuses on how they got there. Here’s why GSC is invaluable for Shopify store owners:

  • SEO Insights: See which search terms (or “queries”) bring users to your store, track your top landing pages, and get details on where your visitors are located.
  • Direct Communication with Google: Google Search Console allows you to alert Google to site changes, request indexing for new pages, and monitor the indexing status of your site.
  • Alerts for Site Health: If there’s an issue affecting your search presence—like broken links, 404 errors, or mobile usability issues—GSC sends you an alert.

In short, GSC is like having a personal SEO consultant for your Shopify store. It’s the compass that helps guide Google’s attention to your best content.

Why Every Shopify Store Needs Google Search Console

Most Shopify users find it easy to set up Google Analytics, but Shopify Google Search Console doesn’t have the same simple, built-in integration, which is why it’s often left out. However, if you’re serious about attracting organic search traffic, GSC is a must-have. Here’s why:

  • Get Insight into What’s Working: Discover which keywords and pages attract the most visitors so you can focus on what resonates with your audience.
  • Speed Up Indexing: Google Search Console lets you alert Google of new products, blog posts, or updates, so they’re indexed faster and available to searchers sooner.
  • Monitor Your SEO Health: Google Search Console sends you alerts about broken links, page load issues, or mobile usability problems so you can fix them before they impact your rankings.

For an even more comprehensive look at your Shopify data, consider pairing GSC with AzLytics—a data analysis tool powered by AI that helps Shopify owners make strategic decisions. By leveraging tools like GSC alongside AzLytics, you’ll be better equipped to optimize for both search visibility and profitability.

To dive deeper into Shopify insights and tips, read more on the AzLytics blog—a valuable resource for Shopify store owners looking to enhance their data strategy.

Setting Up Shopify Google Search Console: Choose Your Method

There are two primary ways to connect Shopify Google Search Console to your site: Domain Verification and URL Prefix Verification. Both methods work well, but let’s break down each one to help you choose the best fit for your store.

Method 1: Domain Verification (Recommended)

Image Idea: Screenshot of Google Search Console “Add Property” screen, with arrows pointing to the “Domain” option.

Domain Verification is Google’s preferred method because it covers all versions of your site—http, https, www, and non-www—with just one setup. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Google Search Console: Visit Google Search Console and log in.
  2. Add Property: Click “Add Property” and choose Domain.
  3. Verify Domain Ownership: Google will provide a TXT record for you to add to your domain’s DNS settings.
    • In Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Shopify: Add a new TXT record in your DNS, paste the code, and save.
  4. Verify: Go back to Google Search Console and click “Verify.”

Note: DNS updates may take a few minutes to propagate, so if verification doesn’t work immediately, give it a moment and try again.

Method 2: URL Prefix Verification (HTML Tag Method)

If you’re not comfortable with DNS settings, try URL Prefix Verification, which involves adding an HTML tag to your Shopify theme’s code. This method verifies only the specific URL you enter.

  1. Log into Google Search Console: Use your Google account.
  2. Add Property: Select URL Prefix and enter your site’s URL (e.g., https://www.yourstore.com).
  3. Copy HTML Tag: Google will provide an HTML tag for verification.
  4. Edit Shopify Theme:
    • In Shopify, go to Online Store > Themes.
    • Select Edit Code and open the theme.liquid file.
    • Place the HTML tag within the <head> section, then save.
  5. Verify: Return to Google Search Console and click “Verify.”

Pro Tip: If your store is behind a password, temporarily disable it during verification so Google can access the site.

Submitting Your Shopify Sitemap to Google Search Console

A sitemap is like a digital map of your site, guiding Google through your content. Shopify auto-generates a sitemap, usually found at yourstore.com/sitemap.xml.

  1. Locate Your Sitemap: Go to https://yourstore.com/sitemap.xml. This file includes your product pages, collections, and other important pages.
  2. Submit in Google Search Console:
    • In Google Search Console, select your property and go to Sitemaps.
    • Enter sitemap.xml in the URL field and click Submit.

Submitting your sitemap helps Google crawl and index your pages more effectively, increasing your chances of appearing in search results.

Using Google Tag Manager to Set Up Shopify Google Search Console

If you’d like a one-stop place to manage Google tools like Analytics and GSC, consider using Google Tag Manager (GTM). GTM allows you to add various tags and tracking codes without editing your Shopify code repeatedly.

  1. Create a Google Tag Manager Account: Head to Google Tag Manager and create a new account.
  2. Install GTM on Shopify:
    • In GTM, select Install Google Tag Manager and copy the code snippets.
    • In Shopify, go to Online Store > Themes > Edit Code and paste the GTM code in both the <head> and after <body> tags.
  3. Verify in Google Search Console: Once GTM is live, verify your Shopify store in Google Search Console. Now you can manage tags and tracking codes directly from GTM.

Bonus: GTM makes it easy to add or update tags in the future without needing to adjust Shopify’s code.

Key Features of Shopify Google Search Console for SEO

With Google Search Console set up for your Shopify store, let’s explore a few essential features that can help you optimize for SEO:

  • Performance Reports: Track keywords, click-through rates (CTR), and top-performing pages. These insights reveal trends and highlight what’s working.
  • Index Coverage: The Coverage report highlights indexing issues like “404 Not Found” pages, duplicate content, or server errors.
  • Mobile Usability: See if there are mobile-specific issues (like small text or unclickable buttons) that could affect user experience.
  • Enhancements: Get insights on rich results like product snippets, breadcrumbs, and videos. Adding structured data can make your listings more appealing in search results.

Monitoring and Optimizing Shopify SEO with Google Search Console

Once you’ve set up Google Search Console, make a habit of checking in monthly or whenever you add major updates. Here’s a quick SEO checklist for keeping your store optimized:

  1. Analyze Performance: Look for keywords with high impressions but low CTR, and adjust titles and meta descriptions to boost clicks.
  2. Spot Opportunities: If a blog post or product collection is gaining traction, update it with fresh content to keep the momentum.
  3. Fix SEO Errors: Use the Coverage report to locate 404 errors, redirects, and duplicate pages.
  4. Add Schema Markup: Structured data, like review stars on product pages, helps your listings stand out in search results.

For a deeper dive into data-driven insights, try AzLytics, a strategic AI-powered data analysis tool for Shopify store owners. AzLytics not only helps you interpret complex data but also provides actionable steps to maximize your store’s profitability.

Integrating Google Analytics with Google Search Console

While GSC shows how users find you, combining it with Google Analytics offers a full view of what visitors do once they arrive on your site. Here’s how to link them:

  1. Open Google Analytics: Go to Admin > Property Settings.
  2. Link GSC: Under Search Console Settings, choose the relevant property.
  3. View Integrated Data: In Analytics, you can access Search Console data under Acquisition, giving a deeper view of traffic sources.

Pro Tip: Linking GSC and Analytics lets you track the full user journey—from search query to conversion.

Troubleshooting Common Shopify Google Search Console Issues

Running into problems? Here’s how to fix common GSC issues on Shopify:

  • Verification Errors: Double-check your verification method. DNS changes may take time to update, so be patient.
  • URL Not Indexed: Use the URL Inspection Tool to request indexing for any new pages.
  • Mobile Usability Errors: Address mobile usability issues, such as small text or closely spaced buttons, that GSC flags to improve the mobile experience.

Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Shopify SEO Strategy Fresh

With Shopify Google Search Console in your toolkit, you can track and optimize your store’s search performance. Whether you’re addressing technical SEO issues or finding new growth opportunities, GSC is the resource you need to boost visibility.

Call to Action
Ready to climb the Google ranks? 🎉 Have questions, ideas, or even a good SEO story? Drop a comment below! And hey, don’t miss out—subscribe to our newsletter for more tips, tricks, and Shopify magic! 🌟

Remember, you don’t need to check GSC daily—a monthly check will keep you on top of trends and issues. Here’s to making your Shopify store a search engine superstar—because who doesn’t want to be on page one?To dive deeper into Shopify insights and strategies, check out the AzLytics blog—a valuable resource for store owners looking to enhance their data strategy.