Which Google Search Console Property Should I Use?
Most website owners should start with a Domain Property when they control the domain's DNS settings. A URL-prefix Property is useful when you need narrower reporting or cannot use DNS verification. Platform Properties are for eligible creator accounts and channels—not websites.
Choose by what you want to track
Use a Domain Property
Best when you want one property covering the domain across protocols and subdomains.
- Requires DNS access
- Includes HTTP and HTTPS
- Includes www and other subdomains
- Provides broad website reporting
Use a URL-prefix Property
Best when you want to track only URLs beginning with one exact prefix.
- Supports several verification methods
- Can isolate a protocol
- Can isolate a subdomain
- Can isolate a directory
Use a Platform Property
Best for an eligible account or channel on a supported third-party platform.
- Not used for your website
- Added separately for each account
- May not be available to every user yet
- Uses platform connection or login
Search Console property decision guide
Are you adding a website you own?
If yes, choose between a Domain Property and a URL-prefix Property.
Can you edit the domain's DNS records?
DNS access normally means you can verify a Domain Property.
Do you want all subdomains and protocols included?
example.com.
Do you need reporting for one directory?
A Domain Property cannot be limited to one path. A URL-prefix Property can include an exact directory prefix.
https://www.example.com/blog/ to focus on the blog
section.
Do you manage several versions of the same site?
You can use a Domain Property for the broad view and additional URL-prefix Properties for narrower analysis.
example.com as the main property, then add selected
prefixes when their separate reporting is useful.
Property types compared
| Question | Domain Property | URL-prefix Property | Platform Property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracks a website? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tracks a creator account? | No | No | Yes |
| Includes all protocols? | Yes | No—only the entered protocol | Not applicable |
| Includes subdomains? | Yes | Only the entered hostname | Not applicable |
| Can target a directory? | No | Yes | No |
| Verification | DNS record | Several possible methods | Platform login or eligible connection |
| Typical recommendation | Best general starting point for a website | Best for narrow scope or flexible verification | Best for supported creator accounts |
Common examples
I own a simple website on one domain
Start with a Domain Property:
example.com
This keeps your reporting together if Google discovers www, non-www, HTTP, HTTPS or subdomain versions.
I use Netlify, Cloudflare or another host but control my DNS
Use a Domain Property. Search Console verification is performed through the DNS provider, not necessarily through the company hosting the site.
I cannot change DNS records
Use a URL-prefix Property and choose one of the verification methods available for your site.
https://www.example.com/
I want separate data for a blog or language section
Keep the Domain Property for the whole website and add a URL-prefix Property for the section.
https://www.example.com/blog/
https://www.example.com/es/
I run several subdomains
A Domain Property can include all of them:
www.example.comshop.example.comtools.example.com
Add separate URL-prefix Properties only when you need more focused reporting for an individual subdomain.
I want to track my YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or X presence
Use a Platform Property when the feature and platform connection are available to you. Add each account or channel separately.
http://example.com/ does not
include https://example.com/. If your live site uses HTTPS,
make sure the property matches it or use a Domain Property.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add both a Domain and URL-prefix Property?
Yes. The properties can coexist. Use the Domain Property for broad coverage and URL-prefix Properties for focused reporting.
Will duplicate properties hurt my rankings?
No. Search Console properties control reporting access. Adding overlapping properties does not create duplicate webpages or directly affect rankings.
Should I add www and non-www separately?
A Domain Property includes both. Separate URL-prefix Properties are optional when you need to inspect them independently.
Should I add HTTP if my site redirects to HTTPS?
A Domain Property includes both. When using only URL-prefix Properties, the HTTPS property is normally the important property for an HTTPS site, although an HTTP property can sometimes help investigate old URLs or migration issues.
Does a Domain Property include folders?
It includes URLs throughout the verified domain, but its reporting scope cannot be limited to one folder. Add a URL-prefix Property when you want a property dedicated to a directory.
Does adding Search Console make my site appear in Google?
A site can appear in Google without a Search Console account. Search Console helps you monitor discovery, crawling, indexing and performance, but adding a property does not guarantee indexing or rankings.
Property scopes and verification methods were reviewed against Google's property setup documentation and Google's ownership verification documentation. Features may change. Last reviewed: July 30, 2026.