Google Webmaster Tools

From Randy Duermyer, former About.com Guide

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Google Webmaster Tools Help Manage Your Site or Blog

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Definition:

Google Webmaster Tools is a free online service from Google that helps you manage your website or blog, or those of your clients. Out of the three major search engines - Google, Bing and Yahoo, Google's Webmaster Tools offers the most comprehensive set of useful features, including:

The ability to verify robots.txt and XML sitemap files and submit your site for indexing in Google's search engine.

Information on the keywords for which your website or blog appeared in the search results, and which of those keywords resulted in a click through from the Google's search results to your site.

Information on any issues that Google's robots (search spiders) encountered when they visited your site, including broken links.

Information on which pages within your site are indexed in Google.

And much more. For example, having a Google Webmaster Tools account for your website or blog also allows Google to send you messages if it finds any problems with your site.

In order to provide full functionality, you'll need to verify that you are the site owner or manager with Google. Two verification options are available:

You can add a piece of code within your website's or blog's home page.
You can upload a file that Google provides to your website or blog host's server.

You will need either a Google account or a Gmail account in order to log in to Google Webmaster Tools.

You can register and monitor multiple websites or blogs in Webmaster Tools.

Also Known As: Webmaster Tools, Google Tools for Webmasters

Examples:

Google Webmaster Tools is an excellent way to get your site indexed in Google because you can submit the location of your site or blog's XML site map file. This can greatly reduce the time it takes for new sites or blogs to be included in Google's index.

Google Webmaster Tools Google Links

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