Google Site Kit is a revolutionary plugin for WordPress sites that brings the best of Google tools to the websites. Introduced earlier this year, this plugin by Google helps site owners to see key metrics and insights from four Google tools— Search Console, Google Analytics, Google AdSense, and PageSpeed Insights.
The main reason behind the popularity of Site Kit is that it brings four platforms to a single plugin. Whether you are blogging or running a business website, this plugin is a must have for you.
Here is how you can set up this Google Site Kit plugin for your WordPress site:
Installing the Google Site Kit plugin in WordPress
- The first step is to install this plugin for your site. Since it is currently not available in the WordPress plugin repository, you can download it from here in the form of a zip file.
- After downloading, open your WordPress dashboard. Visit Plugins section and click on Add New.
- Here, you have to click on Upload Plugin option and then upload the zip file that you downloaded above.
- Click on Install Now.
- The plugin will get installed. Now, it is time to activate the plugin, which can be done by clicking on the Activate button.
You have successfully activated the Site Kit plugin.
How to configure Google Site Kit in WordPress?
Once you have activated the plugin, it is time to configure it. This step will build a bridge between your WordPress site and Google’s tools. It is necessary to build this bridge to connect the Site Kit and make use of the properties.
For this, you first need to create a client configuration in the Google Developer Console. For the creation of client configuration, generate new OAuth Credentials from your Google Cloud account.
The good thing about this process is that it is completely automated. You don’t have to create a Google Cloud account by following a manual process. There is no need to add any payment method or handle any other configuration. Google Site Kit do this automatically.
This process works fine for both new and existing Google accounts. The OAuth client is set up via the new client configuration that you created in above step. Remember that your OAuth client will need access to Google Analytics and Google Search Console data that you would like to add to the Site Kit.
Linking Google Search Console account to Google Site Kit
As mentioned above, the client configuration creation is an automatic process that will establish communication between your Search Console data and WordPress site. Below are the steps to link your Search Console account in Site Kit:
- Open your Google account in the browser. Make sure that you have disabled the ad-blocker (if you are using any).
- In a new tab, open your WordPress dashboard and visit the Site Kit page.
- Here, click on the link that looks highlighted.
- The plugin will automatically get access to your website data and send it to the client configuration page in the Google Developer Console.
- Now click on the Get OAuth Credentials button.
- Site Kit will use the information from your website and generate a new project in the Google Cloud account. Once this gets done, you will receive a new client configuration code, which you have to copy to the clipboard. Now, click on Done button.
- Next, you have to paste the copied code in the Client Configuration box. Once done, click on Proceed button.
- Now, it is time for authentication. For that, first check if you have signed in to the Google account that has rights for the Google Analytics and other services. Click on Sign in With Google. Select/sign in to the Google account and Allow the needed permissions.
- Once done, Google Site Kit plugin will automatically fetch the data from Search Console to your WordPress site.
You will now be able to see all the Google Search Console data and analytics right from your blog setup. You can also check the organic traffic coming to your posts and pages.
Linking Google Analytics account to Google Site Kit
Since Site Kit allows you to add your Google Analytics account as well, it is time for you to do it. If you are not having an existing Google Analytics account, first create one. Site Kit wouldn’t create the Analytics account automatically, like it did for Search Console. Once you have created the Analytics account, follow the steps below to link it to the Site Kit in your WordPress:
- Open your WordPress dashboard and go to the Site Kit.
- From the Settings, click on Connect More Services tab.
- Click on Analytics option. An Unverified App Screen will appear to notify you that when you open your Google account, it may show you some Unverified App warning.
- Click on Proceed.
- Now, select your Google account that can access Google Analytics.
- The warning about which we talked above will appear now. Here, click on the Advanced option. A new section will open.
- Click on “Go to {your domain} (unsafe)” to proceed further. Talking of domains, you can get one for yourself through NameFresh.
- You will be asked to grant some permissions that are necessary to link the Site Kit and Analytics account. Review and grant all the permissions. Click on Allow button.
- Site Kit will again open in the WordPress dashboard. Here, you will get the option to link the Analytics property. Click on Configure Analytics.
You have done it. All your Analytics data will be fetched to Site Kit which you can view from your WordPress dashboard.
Google Site Kit: Wrapping up
WordPress has become the ideal choice for a massive number of website owners. And that’s the reason even Google has released plugins for it. By integrating the Google Site Kit in your blog, you can make the most out of it right from your dashboard.
If you have any query, let us know via the comments below.
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