🧭 Overview
When integrating Google Search Console (GSC) with Search Atlas, you will be asked to select a property. GSC offers two property types: URL-prefix (for example, https://wiise.com/) and domain (for example, wiise.com). Choosing the right type affects how much data Search Atlas can access and display for your site.
📋 Understanding the Two Property Types
URL-prefix property covers only the exact URL you enter, including its protocol and subdomain. For example, https://wiise.com/ would include HTTPS pages on the root domain but would not include http://wiise.com/, https://www.wiise.com/, or any subdomains such as https://blog.wiise.com/. This makes URL-prefix properties narrower in scope.
Domain property covers all URLs across every protocol, subdomain, and path associated with a domain. Connecting wiise.com as a domain property gives Search Atlas visibility into http://, https://, www., and all subdomains in a single connection. This is the broader and more complete option.
✅ Search Atlas Recommendation
Search Atlas recommends connecting a domain property wherever possible. Here is why:
- Complete data coverage: A domain property aggregates clicks, impressions, and ranking data across all protocols and subdomains, giving you an accurate picture of your site's full organic performance.
- Fewer gaps in reporting: URL-prefix properties can create blind spots if your site serves traffic across both HTTP and HTTPS, or across multiple subdomains.
- More reliable rank tracking: Features in Search Atlas such as Rank Tracker and Keyword Magic benefit from having the widest possible data set to surface accurate keyword positions and trends.
- Simplified management: One domain property replaces multiple URL-prefix properties you might otherwise need to create to achieve the same coverage.
⚠️ When a URL-Prefix Property May Be Appropriate
A URL-prefix property can be the right choice in specific situations:
- You only want to track a specific subdomain or subdirectory (for example, a blog at
https://blog.wiise.com/that is managed separately). - You do not have access to your DNS settings, which are required to verify a domain property in GSC. URL-prefix properties can be verified through alternative methods such as an HTML file upload or a meta tag.
- Your organisation requires separate reporting for different sections of a site for internal or client billing purposes.
🔄 Implications of Switching Property Types
If you currently have a URL-prefix property connected to Search Atlas and want to switch to a domain property, be aware of the following:
- Historical data continuity: Search Atlas pulls data from whichever GSC property is connected at the time. Switching to a domain property will give you broader data going forward, but historical reports already generated under the URL-prefix property will reflect that narrower scope.
- Re-verification in GSC: You must verify the domain property inside Google Search Console before connecting it to Search Atlas. Domain verification requires adding a DNS TXT record through your domain registrar or DNS provider.
- Reconnection required in Search Atlas: After verifying the domain property in GSC, you will need to disconnect the existing URL-prefix property in Search Atlas and connect the new domain property. To do this, go to Left sidebar → Home and follow the GSC integration steps to select the updated property.
- No data is lost in GSC: Both property types coexist independently in Google Search Console. Switching in Search Atlas does not delete or alter your existing GSC properties.
🛠️ How to Connect or Switch Your GSC Property
- Verify your domain property (
wiise.com) in Google Search Console by adding the required DNS TXT record. Refer to Google's official GSC documentation for step-by-step verification instructions. - Once verified, log in to Search Atlas and navigate to Left sidebar → Home.
- Open the GSC integration settings and select the domain property (
wiise.com) from the list of available properties. - Save your selection. Search Atlas will begin pulling data from the domain property immediately.
- Allow up to 48 hours for data to fully populate across features such as Site Metrics, Rank Tracker, and Keyword Magic.
💡 Quick Reference
- Domain property (
wiise.com) — recommended for most users; covers all protocols and subdomains. - URL-prefix property (
https://wiise.com/) — use only when you need isolated tracking or cannot verify via DNS. - Switching is safe and does not delete GSC data, but requires re-verification and reconnection inside Search Atlas.
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.