> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hiveku.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Google Search Console

> Import search performance data for SEO tracking

Connect Google Search Console (GSC) to pull in impressions, clicks, CTR, and average position for every query and landing page on your site. Hiveku uses this data to power SEO dashboards, content recommendations, and reporting.

<Info>
  Before you start: [Set up a Google Cloud OAuth app](/how-tos/google-oauth-app) and enable the **Google Search Console API** in your Google Cloud project.
</Info>

## Before You Start

* A [Google Cloud OAuth app](/how-tos/google-oauth-app) registered in Hiveku's **Settings > OAuth Apps**
* The **Google Search Console API** enabled in your Google Cloud project (**APIs & Services > Library > Google Search Console API**)
* At least one verified property in [Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console) that the connecting Google account has access to

## Two Ways to Connect

GSC can be connected in Hiveku via:

* **One-click OAuth (recommended)** — browser-based flow using your registered Google app
* **Manual refresh token (fallback)** — generate a refresh token via OAuth Playground and paste it in. Useful when the OAuth flow isn't practical, e.g., for service-account style setups

## Connect via One-Click OAuth

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the integration">
    Go to **Marketing > SEO > Add Connection > Google Search Console** in Hiveku.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your Google OAuth app">
    Pick the Google app you registered under **Settings > OAuth Apps**. If none exist, create one first — see [Set up a Google Cloud OAuth app](/how-tos/google-oauth-app).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize with Google">
    Click **Authorize**. You're redirected to Google, sign in with an account that has access to your Search Console property, and consent to the `webmasters.readonly` scope.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a property">
    After consent, Hiveku shows a dropdown of every verified GSC property the account can see. Pick the one to connect.

    Property formats:

    * **Domain property** — `sc-domain:example.com` — covers all subdomains and both HTTP/HTTPS
    * **URL-prefix property** — `https://www.example.com/` — only this exact prefix

    Choose a Domain property when possible — it captures all traffic for the domain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the connection">
    The connection saves and Hiveku starts fetching performance data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect via Manual Refresh Token (Fallback)

Use this path when you can't complete the browser flow or want to generate tokens out-of-band.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open OAuth Playground">
    Go to [developers.google.com/oauthplayground](https://developers.google.com/oauthplayground).

    In the gear icon (top right), check **Use your own OAuth credentials** and paste your Client ID and Client Secret from your Google Cloud OAuth app.

    <Warning>
      Also add `https://developers.google.com/oauthplayground` as an authorized redirect URI in your Google Cloud OAuth client — temporarily, for this flow. Remove it after you've generated your token.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize the Search Console scope">
    In OAuth Playground, find **Google Search Console API** and select the scope:

    ```
    https://www.googleapis.com/auth/webmasters.readonly
    ```

    Click **Authorize APIs**, sign in with your GSC-owning Google account, and consent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Exchange for a refresh token">
    Click **Exchange authorization code for tokens**. Copy the **Refresh token** value.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste into Hiveku">
    In **Marketing > SEO > Add Connection > Google Search Console**, switch to the **Manual** tab. Paste:

    * **Refresh token**
    * **Site URL** — `sc-domain:example.com` or `https://www.example.com/`

    Save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What You Get

Once connected, Hiveku pulls:

* **Impressions, clicks, CTR, and average position** for every query
* **Landing page performance** — which pages get the traffic
* **Device breakdowns** — desktop, mobile, tablet
* **Country breakdowns**

Historical data is backfilled up to GSC's 16-month window, then refreshed on an ongoing schedule. Expect data to appear on the SEO dashboard within a few minutes of connecting.

## Connect Multiple Properties

Repeat the flow for each additional GSC property. Each becomes its own connection in Hiveku and can feed different sites or reporting views.

## Verify the Connection

* Connection status shows **Active**
* The SEO dashboard populates with query and page data within 5-10 minutes of connecting
* Top queries, top pages, and trend charts all show data

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No properties appear in the dropdown">
    The Google account you authorized with isn't a verified owner or user of any Search Console property. Go to [search.google.com/search-console](https://search.google.com/search-console) and verify that the account has access to your site. Then disconnect and reconnect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'Insufficient permission' error">
    The `webmasters.readonly` scope wasn't granted during authorization. This usually means the user unchecked a scope on the consent screen, or the scope isn't listed in your OAuth consent screen config. Review the scopes on your OAuth consent screen and reconnect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data stuck at zero">
    Some properties genuinely have no recent search data — verify in [Search Console](https://search.google.com/search-console) directly. If you see data there but not in Hiveku, check that the right property was selected (a URL-prefix property won't capture traffic from other subdomains; try a Domain property).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Selected the wrong property">
    Disconnect the GSC connection and reconnect — you'll get the property picker again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'Search Console API not enabled'">
    Enable the Google Search Console API in your Google Cloud project: **APIs & Services > Library > Google Search Console API > Enable**. Retry the connection.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up SEO" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/how-tos/seo">
    Use GSC data for content and optimization workflows
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect Google Business Profile" icon="store" href="/how-tos/connect-gbp">
    Add local SEO data alongside search data
  </Card>
</CardGroup>