The SEO Workbook and other Content Optimization features in your Raptive dashboard use Google Search Console data from a domain property to help you focus on the content updates most likely to make an impact.
What’s the difference between a URL-prefix property and a domain property?
Google Search Console offers two ways to add your site:
- A URL-prefix property includes only URLs that begin with one specific address. For example, https://www.yourdomain.com/ doesn’t include http://yourdomain.com/, https://yourdomain.com/, or subdomains.
- A domain property includes your entire domain, including www and non-www versions, subdomains, and both HTTP and HTTPS.
The SEO Workbook and Posts and Briefs require a domain property because it shows a more complete view of your site’s Search Console data, which helps it surface reliable recommendations.
Before you begin
The SEO Workbook also requires:
- At least 10 months of Google Search Console data in a domain property
- At least 104 weeks of Google Analytics data
- A WordPress site
- A Search Console connection to your Raptive dashboard
How to check whether you already have a domain property
- Sign in to Google Search Console with the Google account that has access to your site
- Open the property selector
- Find your site in the list
- Look at how the property is listed
A domain property for your full site appears as your domain name, such as yourdomain.com. It won’t include https://, www, or a page path.
If you see yourdomain.com, you already have a domain property and can connect it to your Raptive dashboard.
If you only see properties such as https://www.yourdomain.com/ or https://yourdomain.com/, you have URL-prefix properties.
You can see the difference between the two in the image below:
You’ll need to add a Domain property before you can use the SEO Workbook and other Content Optimization features that require it.
How to create a domain property
You’ll need access to your domain’s DNS settings. These settings are typically managed through your domain registrar, hosting provider, or a DNS provider such as Cloudflare.
If someone else manages your DNS settings, you can ask them to complete the verification steps for you.
- In Google Search Console, open the property selector.
- Select + Add property.
- Under domain, enter your root domain, such as yourdomain.com. Don’t include https://, http://, www, or anything after the domain name. Select Continue.
- Follow the verification instructions Google provides. If your domain provider is listed, you may be able to verify by signing in to your provider directly. Otherwise, Google will ask you to add a DNS verification record. TXT is the most common record type.
- If Google provides a TXT record, copy the full value exactly as shown. It will look similar to google-site-verification=....
- In a new browser tab, sign in to the provider that manages your domain’s DNS.
- Open the DNS records for your domain and add the record Google provided:
- Type: TXT
- Host/Name: Leave blank or enter @, depending on your DNS provider
- Value/Content: Paste the complete Google verification value
- Save the DNS record
- Return to Google Search Console and select Verify
DNS changes may not appear immediately. Google notes that manually added records can take up to two or three days to become available. If verification doesn’t work right away, try again later.
Keep the DNS verification record in place after verification. Removing it may cause your Domain property to lose verification.
Then you’re ready to connect your domain property to Raptive.
How to connect your domain property to Raptive
- Sign in to your Raptive dashboard
- Find the Google Search Console connection prompt in your dashboard
- Select Sign in with Google
- Choose the Google account that has access to your site’s Google Search Console account
- Select Continue to allow Raptive to view your Google Search Console data
- Select Allow when prompted to grant the additional permissions
- Back in your Raptive dashboard, select the Domain property for your site. It will begin with sc-domain:, such as sc-domain:yourdomain.com
- Select Confirm
You’ll see a confirmation message when the connection is complete.