Google Search Console Integration
See Google Search Console clicks, queries and indexing for every child site in your MainWP Dashboard.
Search Console performance, sitemaps and reports per site
The Google Search Console Integration is a Pro MainWP add-on that shows Google Search Console performance and indexing data for all your child sites in your MainWP Dashboard. Clicks, impressions, CTR, average position, top queries and sitemap indexing sit next to the rest of your site work, and Pro Reports can carry the numbers into client reports.
Switching properties one site at a time
To check a traffic drop or answer a client question about search, you log in to Google Search Console and switch to that site’s property. The Google Search Console Integration lets you connect your Google account or a Service Account once, gives each child site its property, and shows the data in your MainWP Dashboard.
Features
The Google Search Console Integration covers search performance, indexing, refresh timing and reporting for each child site.
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Search performance data | See Total Clicks, Total Impressions, Avg. CTR and Avg. Position for a site, with a chart and widgets for Top Queries, Top Pages, Top Performing Countries, Devices, Search Appearance and Dates. |
| Sitemap and indexing data | The Sitemaps tab shows submitted vs. indexed counts for each sitemap, the indexing rate, last processed dates and error totals. |
| Google Search Console widget | Enable the widget on the MainWP Operations page and switch sites with its site selector. It shows the four KPIs, an interactive performance chart and shortcuts to the Search Performance and Sitemaps sections. |
| Two ways to connect | Use Sign in with Google, or upload a Service Account JSON key from your own Google Cloud project. You can use both. |
| Automatic property assignment | A property is matched to a child site when its URL or domain matches the site’s URL. You can pick a different property on any site’s Settings page. |
| Scheduled and on-demand refreshes | Fetch data automatically every 1, 3, 9, 15, 18 or 24 hours (9 by default), or click Refresh Data when you need current numbers. |
| Pro Reports tokens | Add Search Console data to client reports with tokens such as [gsc.total.clicks], [gsc.total.impressions], [gsc.ctr], [gsc.average.position], [gsc.top.queries], [gsc.top.pages] and [gsc.sitemap.indexing.rate]. |
| MainWP AI Assistant actions | Version 6.3 adds ten abilities, so the AI Assistant and API clients can show connections and properties, change site mappings and refresh settings, read cached performance summaries and request refreshes. Mapping and setting changes show a preview before you confirm. |
Requirements
The Google Search Console Integration reads properties you already have in Google Search Console, so your sites need to be verified there first.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| License | MainWP Pro |
| Google account | A Google account or Service Account with access to each Search Console property you want to see in MainWP |
| Child sites | Each child site verified in Google Search Console, with a matching property in the connected account. Nothing to install on the child sites. |
| PHP | 8.1 or higher, required by the Google libraries. MainWP Dashboard 6.4 needs PHP 8.3 or higher on your Dashboard server. |
| WordPress | 6.2 or higher on your Dashboard site for Google Search Console Integration 6.3 |
| PHP BCMath extension | Enabled on your Dashboard server, for the background processes used by Pro Reports |
| WordPress REST API | The default endpoint (/wp-json/) on your MainWP Dashboard reachable for Sign in with Google |
| Service Account connection (optional) | A Google Cloud project with the Google Search Console API enabled |
Setup: connect an account and assign properties
The Google Search Console Integration connects through Sign in with Google, a Service Account JSON key, or both, and then each child site gets its property.
Connect with Sign in with Google
- In your MainWP Dashboard, go to MainWP > Add-ons > Analytics > Google Search Console and open the Add Property tab.
- Click Sign in with Google and follow the prompts to authorize access.
- Select the properties you want to connect, then click Continue and Confirm.
- Your properties appear under Manage Properties, ready to assign to child sites.
Connect with a Service Account JSON key
- In the Google Cloud Console, open APIs & Services > Enabled APIs & services and enable the Google Search Console API.
- Click + Create credentials, select Service Account, give it a name and click Done.
- Open the Service Account, go to the KEYS tab and click Add Key > Create new key > JSON > Create. The JSON file downloads.
- In Google Search Console, open Settings > Users and permissions, click Add user, paste the Service Account email, set Permission to Full and click Add.
- In MainWP, go to MainWP > Add-ons > Analytics > Google Search Console > Add Property > Import JSON File, upload the key and click Connect Account.
Assign a property to a child site
- Go to MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites, click the site’s name and open its Settings page.
- In the Google Search Console section, select the matching property.
- Click Save Settings.
Full instructions for connections, data views and troubleshooting: Google Search Console Integration documentation.
How the account connection works
The Google Search Console Integration runs on your MainWP Dashboard and reads the data already in your Search Console properties. Sign in with Google goes through MainWP Bridge, which handles authorization and token renewal. Your Dashboard stores the tokens encrypted and then talks to Google directly. Automatic refreshes run on your Dashboard’s cron system, and as of version 6.3 scheduled refreshes skip overlapping runs.
Search Console FAQ
Can I add Google Search Console data to client reports?
Yes, with Pro Reports you add Google Search Console data to client reports with tokens such as [gsc.total.clicks] and [gsc.top.queries]. When Google returns no usable data for the report’s date range, the report uses cached Dashboard metrics where available, and those may cover a different period.
What does Sign in with Google need on my Dashboard?
Sign in with Google needs the WordPress REST API endpoint at /wp-json/ on your Dashboard to be reachable, because MainWP Bridge connects to your Dashboard through it. If /wp-json/ is blocked, disabled, filtered or behind HTTP basic auth, allow access to it, or connect with Import JSON File, which works in either case.
Which file permissions does the Service Account JSON file need?
The Google Search Console Integration 6.3 needs the stored Service Account JSON file set to 600. Version 6.3 rejects credential files readable by group or other users, such as 644 or 755. Set the file, normally under wp-content/uploads/mainwp/google-search-console/, to 600, then click Refresh Data for the connection on the Manage Properties tab.
Where do I get support?
Google handles issues with Google Search Console itself. See the Google Search Console developer site. MainWP support handles issues with the integration.