Getting Google Search Console takes about 10 minutes. Visit search.google.com/search-console and sign in with any Google account—doesn't have to be a business email. Click the "Add property" button in the top-left dropdown, then choose between Domain property (covers all subdomains and protocols) or URL prefix property (covers only the exact URL you enter, like https://www.yoursite.com). For most sites, we recommend URL prefix because it's faster to verify and you can always add more properties later. Domain properties require DNS access, which some clients don't control directly. Google offers five verification methods. HTML file upload works for anyone with FTP or hosting panel access—just download the file and upload it to your root directory. HTML tag verification means pasting a meta tag in your homepage head section, which takes 30 seconds if you use WordPress or Shopify. Google Analytics and Tag Manager auto-verify if you already have those installed with the same Google account. DNS verification (required for Domain properties) means adding a TXT record through your registrar, which can take 10 minutes to 48 hours to propagate. At Ottawa SEO, we typically verify using HTML tag for clients on managed WordPress or the Analytics method if they already have GA4 connected. We avoid DNS verification unless the client specifically wants a Domain property to track staging subdomains or international ccTLDs together. Once verified, data appears within 24–48 hours. You won't see historical data from before verification, so set this up immediately on any new site. If you're launching a redesign or migration, verify the new domain at least two weeks early so you have baseline data when you flip the switch. Common mistake: verifying with a personal Gmail, then losing access when that employee leaves. Use a company Google account or add multiple verified owners under Settings > Users and permissions. We always add at least two owner-level accounts for clients to prevent lockouts.