Could you please clarify the how to verify ownership of the Substack sub-domain for the Google Search console? I want to copy and paste the meta tag into the analytics section in settings as you suggested, but which is the appropriate field to drop this into?
I dont see Google site verification row in My Substack Analytic setting. So I am unable to past the the meta HTML content. Any reason why I dont have it in my Substack settings?
Fantastic breakdown, Colin. Most creators underestimate how much Search Console and internal linking can elevate discoverability on Substack. Your step-by-step approach makes it approachable instead of technical, which is rare in SEO guides.
I’ve been experimenting with similar optimization techniques through my own publication, Collaborate with Mark, but focused more on alignment between message clarity and audience intent. Especially for thought leaders and nonfiction writers. Your article fills a real gap here. 👏
Do you have any idea why Substack wouldn't be generating a sitemap for me yet? I've had my Substack (https://fountainpengirl.substack.com) since May and it has 37 posts - more than my other Substack that somehow does already have have a sitemap?
Hi Colin. Very helpful post. Thank you. I created a substack in January and haven’t seen a sitemap.xml file yet. From what I’m reading in Reddit and similar spots, substack may have stopped providing the files (perhaps related to the fact that google is leaning so hard into their ‘AI generated search results’, which is a major shift for SEO because it basically has stopped driving traffic to sites. )
Hi Colin, thank you for your article. I don't believe that the Google Search Console works anymore. I tried your steps and it looks like SubStack no longer allows this option.
Thanks for this guide! The best practice is share overall, good job for the SEO tips in Substack in this case, knowledges of SEO nice. Lear how to work the SEO here and it's of many help for understand the evosystem with other platforms for growth. Remembering the times of Community Manager, actualised, best practices in the moment a long of time the crawlers change "Index, Keywords, links, back link...." Recommend this publication.
Love this! I’ve setup my console but turns out there are other things I need to do to maximize it, thanks!
Could you please clarify the how to verify ownership of the Substack sub-domain for the Google Search console? I want to copy and paste the meta tag into the analytics section in settings as you suggested, but which is the appropriate field to drop this into?
Thanks for sharing these detailed insights, Colin
I will update everything on the weekend as you suggested. Thanks
Very good insight about seo. Can i translate last part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter?
Of course! Thanks for asking.
Dear Colin, this is the translation:
https://liderar.substack.com/p/guia-completa-para-optimizar-tu-newsletter
And very impressed by this article:
https://www.gardinercolin.com/p/why-is-marketplace-revenue-so-funky
I read your article and I am blown away
🙏
I dont see Google site verification row in My Substack Analytic setting. So I am unable to past the the meta HTML content. Any reason why I dont have it in my Substack settings?
I have the same problem and would like further instructions, thank you!
Hey Evelyn, I've managed to find a complementary source of info for this. DM me and I'll share, as I don't want to link away from Colin's content.
@Emily
Bonjour, je n'ai pas trouvé où coller la balise méta dans les paramètres de Substack. Pouvez-vous m'aider ?
Au plaisir,
Gabrielle
Fantastic breakdown, Colin. Most creators underestimate how much Search Console and internal linking can elevate discoverability on Substack. Your step-by-step approach makes it approachable instead of technical, which is rare in SEO guides.
I’ve been experimenting with similar optimization techniques through my own publication, Collaborate with Mark, but focused more on alignment between message clarity and audience intent. Especially for thought leaders and nonfiction writers. Your article fills a real gap here. 👏
The beginning instructions may be missing some important details.
Substack does have a place for just the 'html' tag. Its either the tag manager or the analytics codes.
The instructions depart pretty early, is it due to an update?
Do you have any idea why Substack wouldn't be generating a sitemap for me yet? I've had my Substack (https://fountainpengirl.substack.com) since May and it has 37 posts - more than my other Substack that somehow does already have have a sitemap?
Wow that’s super useful!
Hi Colin. Very helpful post. Thank you. I created a substack in January and haven’t seen a sitemap.xml file yet. From what I’m reading in Reddit and similar spots, substack may have stopped providing the files (perhaps related to the fact that google is leaning so hard into their ‘AI generated search results’, which is a major shift for SEO because it basically has stopped driving traffic to sites. )
But that’s a whole other conversation.
A workaround that I just did was the following:
1) Substack still creates an RSS feed for you.
2) So just go to yoursubstack.substack.com/feed and you can download the file
3) if you’re not into coding, you can upload that .rss file into ChatGPT and ask it to convert it to a sitemap.xml file.
4) you can then upload that file to the search console.
Hi Colin, thank you for your article. I don't believe that the Google Search Console works anymore. I tried your steps and it looks like SubStack no longer allows this option.
Thanks for this guide! The best practice is share overall, good job for the SEO tips in Substack in this case, knowledges of SEO nice. Lear how to work the SEO here and it's of many help for understand the evosystem with other platforms for growth. Remembering the times of Community Manager, actualised, best practices in the moment a long of time the crawlers change "Index, Keywords, links, back link...." Recommend this publication.
This is the best thing I’ve read on Substack this week. Thank you so much for sharing this information!