How to Add a User to Google Search Console

Find out how to easily add a user or owner to Google Search Console. Learn about permissions and the difference between an owner and a user.

This post will show you how to add a new owner or a new user to your Google Search Console account.

Google Search Console used to be called Google Webmaster Tools, so if you hear someone say, “Webmaster Tools,” they mean Search Console.

Why would you want to add a user? Well, if you've hired someone like me to help you with your blog, they'll need access to your account. I use your data to give you recommendations on how to grow your traffic.

Note: Adding a user to Google Search Console doesn’t give that person access to your actual website. It only gives them access to the data that Google has collected for your site.

If you prefer to watch a video to learn how to add a user to your Google Search Console account, scroll on down! There’s one at the bottom of this post.

Log in to your Google Search Console account.

If you don't see the menu items on the left side of your screen, just click the hamburger icon next to the words Google Search Console.

You'll see your website name in the top left. Most of you will only have one website here.

I have access to my Cub Scout Ideas site and to some clients' sites.

If you do have more than website, make sure you're in the right one before you add a user.

Google Search Console Permissions

You'll first need to decide on the permission level that you'll give your new user. For Google Search Console, there are three options. 

The first option is Owner. An owner has complete control of their Google Search Console.

When you first set up your Search Console account, you have to prove that you own the website before you can have access to the account. After you've done that, you can add other owners.

An owner can impact the way your site shows up in search results, so be very careful about who you add as an owner.

Users have two permissions levels: Full and Restricted.

A full user can see all of your Search Console data and can make some changes.

A restricted user can see most of your data, but they can't make any changes

How to Add a User to Your Google Search Console Account

Adding an owner is a little different than adding a user, so I'll show you how to do both. I'm going to start with adding a user since that's the option you'll probably use most.

First, let's click on the Settings gear icon on the bottom left side of our screen.

You'll see a screen with your property settings. We want to click on Users and Permissions.

Click the blue “Add User” button on the top right side of your screen, and enter the email address of your new user.

The default permission level is Full. To change this to restricted, click the arrow. You'll probably leave it as full for most users.

Click add, and you'll see the new user on the list.

Click Overview or any of the options on the left to get back to your account data.

How to Add an Owner to Your Google Search Console Account

Start by clicking the three dots next to your name.

Click Manage Property Owners. This will open up a new tab.

You'll see your website listed below Properties. Click on your site to open the owners screen.

Click Add an Owner, and enter the email address and click continue. They'll be added, and when you click on their verification details, you can see they are considered verified by delegation because you added them.

To delete a verified owner, just click unverify.

When you're finished, you can close that tab.

When you refresh the Users and Permissions page, you can see the new owner.

Again, click Overview or any of the options on the left to get back to your account data.

Was this tutorial helpful? Leave a comment, and let me know!