Google To Update Webmaster Tools API Verification Tag

Oct 28, 2009 - 8:38 am 0 by

Not sure how important this is, but it is one of those minor changes that I particularly enjoy covering. The Google Webmaster Tools API lets you verify and reverify sites directly in the API. The thing is, they have changed the meta tag name for the verification process and the API has yet to be updated.

For example:

Old Meta Name:
<meta name="verify-v1" content="0wrupKGUMvPxWPChV4qaKdewvwXnZQ9AJmg/mAc7An0=" />

New Meta Name:
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rlnJZRMNYtwGmLlQYpDhSNnxz41TLLd-3xZSaEIbagw" />

Dennis G. from the Google Webmaster team, who is specifically involved with verification (I believe) said:

We will update the API to return the new meta tag name and content sometime (relatively) soon, but sites that are already verified with the current "verify-v1" tags will not be unverified. Only new verification attempts will need to switch to the new tag.

So I suspect, if you are trying to verify a new site using the API, it won't work just yet.

Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 9, 2026

Sep 9, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Sometimes There Is No Absolute Right Answer For SEO

Sep 9, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Merchant Center AI Performance: AI Search Intent, Terms & Attribution

Sep 9, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Local Customer Optimization & Store Sales In Data Manager

Sep 9, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google

Almost 100% Of People Also Ask Results Are Answered By Google AI Overviews

Sep 9, 2026 - 7:21 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Location Asset Requirements Update

Sep 9, 2026 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Google Releases New Google Mobilizer