Set Up Google Search Console & Submit Shopify Sitemap

Setting up Google Search Console and submitting your Shopify website’s sitemap is essential for ensuring that Google can crawl and index your site, making it discoverable in search results. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Set Up Google Search Console Account

1. Create a Google Account: If you don’t have one, create a Google account.

2. Access Google Search Console: Go to the [Google Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console/) and sign in with your Google account.

3. Add Property: Click on `Start now` and add a new property (your website).

4. Enter Your Website URL: You’ll be prompted to add your website URL. Be sure to choose the "URL prefix" option for easier verification with Shopify and enter your complete website URL, e.g., `https://www.yourshopifywebsite.com`.

5. Verify Domain Ownership: Google will provide several methods to verify your domain. The easiest method for Shopify users is through DNS verification. Copy the TXT record provided by Google Search Console.

- Go to your Shopify Admin and navigate to `Online Store > Domains`.
- Click on `Manage` next to your domain.
- Navigate to `DNS settings` and add the TXT record copied from Google Search Console.
- Save the DNS settings and go back to Google Search Console to click on `Verify`. Note that DNS updates might take some time to propagate across the internet.

Step 2: Submit Sitemap to Google Search Console

Shopify automatically generates a sitemap for your website which is usually located at `https://www.yourshopifywebsite.com/sitemap.xml`.

1. Access Sitemaps: In the Google Search Console dashboard, select your property (website), and on the left-hand sidebar, click on `Sitemaps`.

2. Enter Sitemap URL: In the `Add a new sitemap` section, enter the URL suffix of your sitemap, which is `sitemap.xml`, and click on `Submit`.

3. Refresh and Check: Refresh the page and check for any errors. Google will now crawl your Shopify website using the sitemap and will continue to check it for updates in the future.

Additional Tips

- Ensure that your Shopify website is not password-protected, as Google won’t be able to access the sitemap.

- Regularly check your Google Search Console account for any crawl errors or additional actions you might need to take.

- Utilize the performance reports available in Google Search Console to understand how your website is performing in Google Search and where there might be opportunities for improvement.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that Google is aware of your Shopify website, can crawl it effectively, and index your content in search results, which is vital for SEO and attracting organic traffic.