--- title: "Proving you control your domain: Google Search Console and DNS TXT" slug: proving-domain-control cluster: owners-guide type: spoke description: "How to prove you control your business's domain for Business DNA using Google Search Console or a DNS TXT record, and what domain control does and doesn't prove." answer: "You can prove you control your business's domain in two ways. If you're a verified owner of the site in Google Search Console, connect it with read-only access. Otherwise, add a one-off DNS TXT record with a token we give you. Domain control proves only that you control the domain, not that you own the business or that your website's claims are true." published: 2026-11-05 updated: 2026-11-05 author: "About This Business editorial team" takeaways: - "Google Search Console is the preferred route, and only a verified site owner in Search Console qualifies." - "DNS TXT is the fallback: add a record with an exact token, then confirm." - "Search Console access is read-only and used once." - "Domain control proves control of the domain only, not ownership, authority or the truth of your claims." imagePrompt: "An antique brass key resting in an ornate brass lock plate on a heavy wooden door, a second smaller key on a ring beside it, warm raking light highlighting the metalwork, secure and calm mood" imageAlt: "An antique brass key in a lock plate on a wooden door" faq: - q: "What access does the Google Search Console check need?" a: "Read-only Search Console access, used once to confirm you're a verified owner of a property that covers your domain. We can't change anything in your Search Console account." - q: "I'm a \"full user\" in Search Console, not an owner. Will that work?" a: "No. Only a verified site owner qualifies. Ask the owner to complete the check, or use the DNS TXT route instead." - q: "How long does the DNS TXT check take?" a: "DNS changes can take time to spread. Add the record, wait, then confirm. The confirmation needs an exact match of the token." - q: "Does proving domain control make my website's claims authenticated?" a: "No. Website content stays company-stated information. Domain control only shows that you control the domain." sources: - title: "Google Search Console Help — Verify your site ownership" url: "https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9008080" - title: "Our Standards — About This Business" url: "/our-standards" --- ## Why prove domain control at all? **Because it ties your Business DNA record to the website you actually run, which helps readers and AI assistants connect the right record to the right site.** It's step 4 of [The owner's guide to building your Business DNA](/knowledge/owners-guide). It also protects you: someone copying your business's name onto a look-alike website can't prove control of *your* domain. ## What are the two ways to prove control? **Google Search Console (preferred) or a DNS TXT record (fallback).** | | Google Search Console | DNS TXT record | |---|---|---| | Best for | Owners already verified in Search Console | Anyone who can edit their domain's DNS | | What you do | Sign in with Google and approve read-only access | Add a TXT record with a token, then confirm | | Who qualifies | Only a verified site owner of a matching property | Whoever can edit the DNS | | Speed | Usually immediate | Depends on how quickly DNS updates spread | ## How does the Google Search Console route work? **You connect Google with read-only access, used once, and we confirm you're a verified owner of a property that covers your domain.** 1. In your account, open your company workspace and go to the domain-control section. 2. Choose **Check domain control with Google Search Console**. 3. Sign in with the Google account that owns the site in Search Console, and approve read-only access. 4. We look for a property that exactly covers your domain, either a domain property or a matching URL-prefix property, where you're a verified owner. If you're not an owner of a matching property, you'll see a plain-language message explaining why, and you can use DNS instead. To become a verified owner first, follow Google's guide in the sources below. ## How does the DNS TXT route work? **You add a TXT record containing a token we give you, then confirm, and the check needs an exact match.** 1. Copy the token shown in your workspace. 2. In your domain registrar or DNS provider, add a **TXT** record with that value. 3. Wait for the change to spread. This can take from minutes to hours. 4. Choose **Confirm**. We look up the record and accept only an exact token match. ## What does domain control prove, and what doesn't it? **It proves you control the domain. That's all.** - **It proves** you can make changes to this domain's DNS or Search Console property. - **It doesn't prove** you own the business or have authority to act for it. - **It doesn't authenticate** any claim on your website. Your website content, including findings you accepted in [Start with your website](/knowledge/owners-guide/gathering-your-facts-from-your-website), remains company-stated information. See [Company-provided vs authenticated](/knowledge/business-dna/company-statement-vs-authenticated). Next step: [Companies House, identity verification and your Business DNA](/knowledge/owners-guide/companies-house-and-your-record). --- Part of **[The owner's guide to building your Business DNA](/knowledge/owners-guide)**.