Google verification code

[janetmaile]

The verification code is visible to site visitors. I did not put this code there. What can I do?

[rtfulk]

@janetmaile Welcome to the community! That definitely shouldn't be showing up as visible text on your website.

Google verification codes are normally placed in the background of your website so Google can verify ownership. Visitors shouldn't see them displayed on the page.

I would start by opening your Square Online website editor and checking the page where the code appears. Look for a text section or embedded-code section that might contain the verification information.

Square also has a specific location for tracking and verification codes.

From your Dashboard, go to Channels > Square Online > Settings > Tracking Tools.

That's where Google verification information should be configured rather than added as visible website content.

If you find the code in a text section, make sure it isn't needed elsewhere before removing it. Then publish your website and check the live page again.

One question: Is the verification code appearing at the top of your homepage, or somewhere else on your website?

[janetmaile]

Thanks for your reply.  I can't see anything on the page where the code appears.  It only appears when I publish the site - on the top of the Home Page. I don't have 'Channels' on the dashboard.

I'm now wondering whether the problem is caused because I used a previous website I had years ago and changed the name and domain name.

[rtfulk]

 It's possible there's some Google verification or tracking code left over from the original site, although I wouldn't say that's definitely the cause.

Since the code only appears after publishing and isn't visible in the editor, I would concentrate on the site's tracking and verification settings rather than the page content.

Square's current documentation lists these under Sales channels > Online > Settings > Tracking Tools, but the navigation can vary depending on your account and whether you're using an older Weebly-based website.

If you can find Tracking Tools in your website settings, check for any Google verification or custom header codes associated with the old website. I wouldn't delete anything just yet, especially if you're using Google Search Console.

One other thing worth trying is opening your published website in a private browser window to confirm the code is appearing for everyone.

Could you tell me two things?

1. Are you editing your website through the original Weebly editor or the newer Square Online editor?

2. Does the text at the top actually say "google-site-verification," or is it a different type of code?

Those two details would help narrow this down without having you change settings unnecessarily.

[janetmaile]

Thanks very much for your help.

I've found the tracking tools. All I've got there is Checkout Tracking. Under Google Analytics Tracking Id I've got G-

Under SEO Settings, in the Header code there is google-site-verification=0co0pmB2amv0sAFrT0xhrJfJUuWJF0kr8d9ST98HxGM. There is a note to put the code here. This is what appears at the top of the Home page.

I am using the Weebly editor.

I don't know how to open the site in a private window, but it does appear on my mobile phone as well.

[rtfulk]

 I think we've finally found what's causing the problem.

The Google verification code you've found under SEO Settings > Header Code is most likely the culprit.

The important thing is that Google verification information needs to be entered as a complete HTML meta tag, not just the text beginning with google-site-verification=.

When it's entered as plain text, it can appear visibly on your website instead of being treated as background verification information.

Here's what I would try:

1. Go back to SEO Settings and find the Header Code box.

2. Copy the existing verification information somewhere safe, just in case you need it later.

3. Remove only that verification text from the Header Code box. Leave any other code alone.

4. Save your changes and publish the website again.

5. Open your published homepage on your phone and see whether the text has disappeared.

If that fixes it, we've confirmed where the problem was coming from!

If you still need Google Search Console verification, you can get the complete HTML verification tag from Google and add it correctly afterward.

One thing to keep in mind is that removing the existing code could affect Google Search Console verification until the correct tag is restored, but it won't delete your website.

Let me know what happens after you republish. I think we're very close to getting this resolved!

[janetmaile]

Thanks for your help, but I'm afraid I still have the problem.

I removed the code, then put in the one Google gives me: google-site-verification: googlee2660109501df737.html but this still appears on the published website.

I think there might be an issue with the theme. I originally had a different theme, and the code stayed on the Home Page when published. With this theme, it disappears after a couple of seconds.

[janetmaile]

I've solved the problem! Google offers different ways to enter code. I've chosen another one and it doesn't appear on the Home Page.

However, I now have another problem. When I try to verify the site, Google says it can't find it.

[rtfulk]

Tell me which verification did you use?  The one we were working will work if you past the complete http link in that section.  

[janetmaile]

Thanks for your help. Sorry for the delay replying. I am in the UK, so it is only just morning.

I used the Google Search Console.  I use the URL prefix option as I don't have access to the DNA records. I copy the html tag and paste it into the site header.  When I click on Verify I get a message Failure reason:
Could not find your site. Please check that you provided the correct URL for your property.

I have checked that I entered the URL correctly and the html tag is correct.

[rtfulk]

Good morning! No need to apologize for the delay. We're making progress!
Since you're now getting the message "Could not find your site," I think we need to check the website address itself before making any more changes to the verification code.
Google treats different versions of a website address separately. For example, a website using https://www. is different from one using https:// without the www.
Here's what I'd like you to try:
1 Open your published website in a normal browser window.
2 Once the homepage has loaded, copy the complete website address from the browser's address bar.
3 Go back to Google Search Console and choose Add Property.
4 Select URL Prefix and paste that exact website address.
5 Choose HTML Tag as the verification method.
6 Copy the complete HTML meta tag Google provides.
7 In your Weebly editor, go to SEO Settings > Header Code and paste the complete tag there, replacing the earlier incomplete verification text.
8 Save your changes and publish the website again.
9 Return to Google Search Console and click Verify.
Make sure you're copying the entire HTML tag, not just the verification number.