Google Search Console Property Types Explained
Google Search Console supports properties for websites as well as eligible creator accounts and channels. The correct choice depends first on whether you want to track a website or your presence on a supported platform.
Property types compared
| Property type | What it tracks | Typical verification | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Property | A website domain across supported protocols and subdomains | DNS record | Website owners who want broad coverage of an entire domain |
| URL-prefix Property | URLs beginning with one exact protocol, host and optional path | HTML file, HTML tag, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager or DNS, depending on eligibility | Owners who need narrower coverage or a flexible verification method |
| Platform Property | An eligible creator account or channel on a supported platform | Direct platform login or an eligible automated connection | Creators and publishers tracking how platform content performs through Google |
Domain Property
A Domain Property provides broad website coverage. It can include the domain's subdomains and multiple protocols without requiring separate properties for each variation.
example.com
This can include URLs such as:
https://example.com/pagehttp://example.com/pagehttps://www.example.com/pagehttps://shop.example.com/page
Domain Properties require verification through a DNS record. This makes them especially useful when you control the domain and want a consolidated view of its search data.
URL-prefix Property
A URL-prefix Property includes only addresses beginning with the exact prefix entered. Protocol, subdomain and path can all affect what is included.
https://www.example.com/blog/
This property would include:
https://www.example.com/blog/article-onehttps://www.example.com/blog/guides/example
It would not include:
http://www.example.com/blog/https://example.com/blog/https://www.example.com/store/
URL-prefix Properties support several possible verification methods and are useful when you need to track a specific site version, subdomain or directory.
Platform Property
A Platform Property tracks a creator's account or channel on a supported third-party platform. Google currently lists Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube as supported platforms.
instagram.com/username
Platform Properties can provide reporting about how people discover eligible platform content through Google Search and, when applicable, surfaces such as News and Discover.
Each account or channel is added as its own property. Multiple social profiles are not automatically grouped together.
Google is gradually rolling out Platform Properties, so the option may not yet appear in every Search Console account.
Which property should you choose?
- Choose a Domain Property when you control the domain, can edit its DNS records and want broad website coverage.
- Choose a URL-prefix Property when you need to isolate one protocol, subdomain or directory, or when another supported verification method is more practical.
- Choose a Platform Property when you are tracking an eligible social-media account or creator channel rather than a website.
A website owner may use a Domain Property for broad reporting and one or more URL-prefix Properties for narrower analysis. A creator who also owns a website may separately add website and Platform Properties.
Does adding a property affect rankings?
Adding a property to Search Console does not make a website or creator account rank higher. It gives an authorized owner access to reporting and management features. Website inclusion in Google Search does not require a Search Console account.
Property definitions and verification details were checked against Google Search Console Help. Platform support and availability may change. Last reviewed: July 30, 2026.