Site verification is a crucial step in establishing the authenticity and ownership of a domain. It involves confirming that you are the rightful owner or administrator of a website, giving you control over how it appears on search engines and ensuring secure access to essential tools and analytics. Among the various search engines, Bing, one of the major players, provides a straightforward process for domain verification.
Why is Site Verification Important?
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Verified sites often receive preferential treatment in search engine rankings. Search engines, including Bing, prioritize verified sites, as they are deemed more trustworthy and genuine.
2. Access to Webmaster Tools: Verification grants access to valuable webmaster tools and analytics provided by search engines. This access allows you to monitor and improve the performance of your website effectively.
3. Trust and Credibility: A verified site instills trust in visitors. It assures them that the website is legitimate and operated by the rightful owner, enhancing the overall credibility of your online presence.
Now, let's delve into the steps to verify your domain on Bing:
Step 1: Log in to Bing Webmaster Tools
Begin by logging in to your Bing Webmaster Tools account. If you don't have an account, you'll need to create one.
Step 2: Access the Verification Page
Navigate to the "Configure My Site" menu, usually found on the left-hand side of the dashboard. Within this menu, look for the "Verify Ownership" option or a similar term. On the field, "Add your site manually", type the URL of your website with the https pattern. For example: https://yoursite.com, and hit "Add".
Step 3: Choose the HTML Tag Verification Method
Select the HTML tag verification method. Bing offers various verification options, but for the purposes of this guide, we'll focus on the HTML tag method. Copy the provided HTML tag.
Step 4: Paste the HTML Tag and Save Changes
Paste the HTML tag on the Bing verification field of your eDirectory website. It's located under Promote → SEO Center → Webmaster tools → Bing / Yahoo meta tag. Paste the Bing-provided HTML tag into the designated section in your eDirectory admin panel. Ensure that you save the changes to apply the verification code to your site.
Step 5: Confirm Verification on Bing Webmaster Tools
Return to Bing Webmaster Tools and click the "Verify" button. Bing will then check for the presence of the HTML tag on your site. If successful, your domain will be verified.
By following these steps, you'll successfully verify your domain on Bing, unlocking the full range of benefits associated with ownership confirmation and enhanced search engine visibility. Remember, site verification is an ongoing process, and maintaining a verified status ensures continued access to valuable tools and resources for website management.