This article is related to verifying a Wordpress.com website with Google.

You know how the professionals on those design shows can go into someone’s home and instantly point out the homeowner’s design shortcomings? Yet the homeowner, having been so comfortable and used to their surroundings, couldn’t see these design flaws themselves? That’s how I feel when entering a new web environment, like a professional who wonders why the homeowners haven’t fixed their place up.

And in comes a Wordpress.com question. Most anyone can appreciate the tremendous effort put into the FAQ at Click to visit this external linkfaq.wordpress.com and the support provided (including in the forums). Still, the FAQ section could still use a few tweaks here and there, as is the case with many sites around the ‘net.

How do I verify my site with Google?

You’ll find this Click to visit this external linkquestion and the answer in the FAQ. You’ll also find it being asked over and over again in the forums. The answer provided is clear and to the point. However, it lacks the answers to some of the more basic questions regarding this verification procedure.

Hopefully the common questions below can help to save someone a minute or two and a bit of frustration.

Question

I keep getting an error when I try to verify my site with Google. The error reads “We’ve detected that your verification file returns a status of 404 (Not found) in the header.” What’s wrong?

Answer(s) not in the FAQ

1. Be sure your Wordpress.com site is not hidden to Google. Go to Settings, Privacy, and ensure the first option is ticked (”I would like my blog to be visible to everyone, including search engines (like Google, Sphere, Technorati) and archivers“). Try to verify your site again.
2. Be sure the verification page you created is not set to Private (”Keep this post private“).

Question

When I create the page as instructed in the FAQ, a link to the page shows up in my theme or in my sidebar or under my header. This is unsightly. How do I keep that long Google page title/link from being shown on my Wordpress.com site?

Answer(s) not in the FAQ

1. Keep your page in draft status. Go to Manage, Pages, and choose your Google verification page. Ensure your Publish Status is set to Unpublished. Below that, ensure Keep the post private is not checked. Click Save, then try to verify your site again. Your site’s look should be back to normal.
2. Beware that Step #6 in the FAQ tells you to Click to publish your Page. Instead, click Save as above.

Now you should have a perfectly verified site. Isn’t it nice to finally receive that glorious sign: