Verifying a website: file or meta tag

Websites can be verified with a file, a meta tag or a DNS record. Choose the one that is easiest for you.

Verification file

1. Choose Verification file and click Get my code.
2. Create a plain text file with the file name shown, containing only the content shown. Use the Copy buttons.
3. Upload it to the main folder of your website (often called public_html, www or the web root), so it opens at the address shown in the form.
4. Open that address in your browser to make sure the code appears.
5. Click Check now.

Meta tag

1. Choose Meta tag and click Get my code.
2. Copy the tag shown.
3. Paste it into the head section of your homepage.
4. Clear your site’s cache, then click Check now.

Where to paste it:

• WordPress: an SEO plugin’s verification or header field, or a header-code plugin.
• Shopify: Online Store → Themes → Edit code → theme.liquid, just before the closing head tag.
• Wix, Squarespace and similar: the site settings for custom code in the header.

Which address do we check?

The form shows it: “We check it on: …”. If it is not right — for example your site uses www or a different domain — click Not right? Change it and correct it.

Common mistakes

• A cache or security plugin shows an old page to our checker. Clear the cache and allow the file.
• The file was saved as a document (for example .rtf or .docx) instead of plain text.
• The meta tag was added to a page other than the homepage.