Google Webmaster tools, incidentally, do not consist of pliers, wrenches or hammers. Rather it may be considered as Google’s key contrivance for communicating with webmasters. In fact, Google Webmaster Tools (GWT) lets you ascertain issues with your site as also helps you know whether the website has been infected with malware or not. And the best part of it is that it is absolutely free. However, you need to have a GWT account in order to avail the facilities. Also, you need to prove that you are an authorized agent of the website in order to access any data on your site. This can be accomplished by way of verification which is defined below.

Verification Process

1. Even though there are 5 principal methods of verification currently in order for GWT, there is no hard and fast rule for choosing any of them. However, the first two are mostly in use by all.
2. HTML file upload. Google will provide you with a blank but specially marked file that has to be dropped in the root directory of your website. After this has been done, you need to click on the verification button to gain access to the GWT data for the website.
3. HTML tag. If you click on this option, you will be automatically provided with a metatag which you can insert into the head of your home page. Now you can click on the verify button in order to view your GWT data. Nevertheless, if the tag gets accidentally removed during an update to the home page, it would result in revocation of the verification process. But reinserting the tag will resolve the issue.
4. Domain Name Provider. If you select your Domain Name Provider from the drop down list, Google will provide you with step-by-step guidance for verification, plus a security token for your use.
5. Google Analytics. In case the Google account you’re using for GWT is the same account as for GA (assuming you’re using GA as your analytics solution), is an admin on the GA account, and you’re using the asynchronous tracking code (with the code being in the head of your home page), then you can verify the site this way.
6. Google Tag Manager. This recourse allows you to use the Google Tag Manager to verify your site.

Now that your have been verified, you can log in and begin examining the data for your website easily. However, the first screen you will come across will be the Dashboard. That will provide you with a quick review of some of the more relevant aspects of your website, along with messages from Google. Here is one:

Site Messages

When Google intends to communicate with a webmaster, this is where it is mostly done. There could be different types of messages, such as one informing you that some of your pages have become infected with malware. Messages also indicate that Google has detected some problematic pages in your site that needs deletion or thorough editing. Then there are informal messages indicating that your WordPress installation immediately needs to be updated in order to avoid the probability of someone exploiting known security lapses in that platform. But before I forget, let me add that there are encouraging messages too, such as one congratulating you on the recent increase in traffic to one or more pages.

Some Controversies

It may not be out of place to mention here that on certain controversial issues, Google oftentimes keeps mum. For instance, the list of inbound links on Google Webmaster Tools is much longer than the inbound links that could be found out by using the link: somewebsite.com search query on Google itself. Moreover, the list on Google Webmaster Tools contains ‘nofollow’ links that do not project search engine optimization authority to the linked website. Whereas, the list of links generated with the link somewebsite.com sort of query are considered by Google as IMPORTANT links! And last but not of least significance is the issue where both Google Webmaster Tools as well as Google Index routinely ignore link spam. Can you beat it?