Adding users to Google Search Console is a simple yet crucial task for website owners and managers. Whether you’re collaborating with an SEO agency, a developer, or a teammate, granting the right level of access ensures everyone can contribute effectively. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to add a user to Google Search Console.
Step 1: Access Google Search Console
To get started, navigate to Google Search Console. This will bring you to your Google Search Console dashboard.
Ensure You’re in the Correct Domain
• Verify that you’re logged into the account with access to the domain you want to manage.
• If the domain you’re working on doesn’t appear in the dashboard, double-check you are signed into the correct account.
Step 2: Navigate to Settings
Once you’re in the correct domain, locate the Settings option in the left-hand menu. Click on it to open the settings panel.
Step 3: Go to Users and Permissions
Under Settings, click on Users and Permissions.
Important Note
To add a new user, you must be an Owner of the property. If you don’t have owner-level access, you won’t be able to complete this process. Reach out to the current owner to request the necessary permissions.
Step 4: Add a New User
1. In the Users and Permissions section, click the Add User button.
2. Enter the email address of the person you want to add.
3. Select the appropriate permission level:
• Owner: Full control, including the ability to add or remove other users.
• Full: Access to most features, but cannot manage users.
• Restricted: Limited access, typically restricted to viewing data.
4. Once you’ve selected the permission level, click Add.
Google Search Console User Permissions
This is the current (as of November 2024) user permissions for Google Search Console.
For more details about permission levels, you can refer to Google’s official documentation on permissions.
| Feature | Owner | Full user | Restricted user |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add / remove property owners |  | ||
| Add users | | ||
| Blocked URLs | | | |
| Change of Address | | View only | View only |
| Data Highlighter | | | |
| Disavow links | | | |
| Index Coverage | | | View only |
| Link Google Analytics account | | ||
| Link Merchant Center account | | | View only |
| Links | | | |
| Performance | | | |
| Property settings (crawl rate) | | | View only |
| Receive messages | | | 1 |
| Reconsideration request | | | |
| Remove URLs | | | View only |
| Rich result status reports | | | |
| Share report links | | | |
| Shipping and returns | | | |
| Submit sitemap | | | |
| URL Inspection | | | Fetch only |
| User administration | | Details | Details |
| Verify fixes | | | |
| View all reports | | | |
Step 5: Notify the User
New users typically won’t receive an automatic email notification when they’re added. Be sure to inform the person you’ve added so they can log in to Google Search Console using the email address you provided.
Key Takeaways
• Only owners can add new users to a Google Search Console property.
• Choose the appropriate permission level based on the user’s role and responsibilities.
• Don’t forget to manually notify the user, as Google Search Console doesn’t send an automatic notification.
By following these steps, you can easily manage user access in Google Search Console and ensure your team or collaborators have the right tools to analyze and optimize your website’s performance.
