Google Search Console access is the permission you grant to yourself or others to view performance data, submit sitemaps, fix indexing issues, and manage how Google crawls your site. There are distinct access levels: Owner (full control, can add/remove users), Full user (all permissions except managing other users), and Restricted user (view most reports but can't take actions like submitting sitemaps or requesting URL removals). You get access by adding your Google account email inside the property's settings under Users and Permissions. The property itself must first be verified through one of several methods: uploading an HTML file to your root directory, adding a DNS TXT record, using your Google Analytics admin access, or via Google Tag Manager. Verification proves you control the domain or URL prefix. At Ottawa SEO, we typically maintain Owner access on client properties and grant our clients Full or Restricted access depending on whether they want hands-on control or just reporting visibility. We've found that Restricted access works well for stakeholders who need to see organic traffic trends and click data without risking accidental changes to settings or crawl directives. One common mistake is confusing property types. A domain property (requires DNS verification) aggregates all subdomains and protocols under one view, while a URL-prefix property only tracks the exact prefix like https://www.example.com. If you verify the wrong type, you'll miss data or duplicate your reporting. Access doesn't expire unless manually revoked, but if your verification method breaks (like deleting that HTML file or DNS record), Google may revoke the property entirely. Always use a verification method you won't accidentally undo. For agencies managing multiple client sites, we recommend DNS verification because it's harder to break during routine site changes and persists across CMS migrations or redesigns.