For digital agencies that manage multiple clients and websites, using Google Search Console is a critical part of monitoring and optimizing website performance. However, Google Search Console has property limits, which can create challenges for agencies handling large portfolios of websites. Understanding how to manage and overcome these limitations is critical to ensuring that all client sites are adequately tracked, monitored, and optimized.

In this article, we’ll explore Google Search Console’s property limits, strategies for handling them effectively, and solutions for digital agencies looking to scale their SEO operations while maintaining comprehensive visibility across all client sites.

What Are Search Console Property Limits?

Google Search Console allows webmasters to monitor and optimize the performance of their websites in Google’s search results. Each website or web property that you add to Search Console is referred to as a “property.” Google sets a limit on how many properties you can manage under a single account. As of the latest update, the limit is set at 1,000 properties per account.

For many individual users and small businesses, this limit is sufficient. However, for digital agencies managing multiple websites, clients, and subdomains, this limitation can quickly become a bottleneck. For instance, if an agency manages hundreds of clients, each with multiple subdomains, reaching the 1,000-property limit can be a real concern.

The Impact of Reaching the Property Limit

When a digital agency reaches the 1,000-property limit in Google Search Console, they will no longer be able to add new properties under that specific account. This can hinder the agency’s ability to provide comprehensive SEO services for new clients or add new subdomains for existing clients. Furthermore, managing multiple Search Console accounts to circumvent this limit can become cumbersome and inefficient.

Strategies for Handling Search Console Property Limits

To effectively manage the property limit in Google Search Console, digital agencies must implement strategies that ensure they can scale their operations without losing visibility over their clients’ websites. Here are some key approaches to consider:

1. Consolidating Properties with Domain Verification

One of the best ways to reduce the number of properties in Search Console is to consolidate them using domain verification. Rather than verifying individual URL prefixes (e.g., http://example.com or https://blog.example.com), domain verification allows you to verify the entire domain and all its subdomains under a single property.

• Example: Instead of adding http://example.com, https://example.com, and https://blog.example.com as separate properties, you can verify the domain example.com. This will automatically include all subdomains and protocol variations (http and https) under one property.

By consolidating properties in this way, you can significantly reduce the number of properties in your account and ensure that new subdomains are automatically tracked without needing to add them individually.

2. Create Separate Accounts for Different Clients

Another strategy is to create separate Google Search Console accounts for each client. This approach allows you to manage each client’s properties independently, without all of their sites counting toward your agency’s overall property limit. This method also provides greater security and privacy for clients, as their data will be isolated within their own account.

• Example: If your agency manages SEO for 50 clients, you can create a separate Google Search Console account for each client. Each account will have its own 1,000-property limit, meaning you’ll be able to manage a much larger number of properties overall.

By creating separate accounts, you can ensure that your agency has the capacity to manage as many clients as needed without hitting the property limit. However, this strategy may require more administrative effort to manage multiple logins and accounts.

3. Use a Third-Party SEO Platform

Digital agencies can also leverage third-party SEO platforms that integrate with Google Search Console. These platforms allow you to centralize your monitoring and reporting across multiple client sites without needing to rely solely on Search Console for visibility. Many of these tools aggregate data from various sources, including Search Console, and provide more advanced reporting and automation features.

• Example: SEO platforms like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz offer integration with Google Search Console and allow agencies to track multiple websites, generate reports, and automate SEO tasks—all from a single dashboard.

By using third-party platforms, you can offload some of the property management burden from Google Search Console, while still maintaining comprehensive visibility into each client’s SEO performance.

4. Optimize Property Usage

For agencies that are approaching the 1,000-property limit but don’t want to create separate accounts or use third-party platforms, another approach is to optimize how properties are added and managed in Search Console. This includes removing old or inactive properties that are no longer needed and prioritizing the properties that are essential for ongoing SEO work.

• Example: Periodically audit your Search Console properties to identify any websites, subdomains, or variations that are no longer active. Remove these properties to free up space for new clients or sites that require active monitoring.

This approach allows you to stay within the property limit while ensuring that you only track the most important websites.

Managing Multiple Search Console Accounts

For agencies that choose to create separate Search Console accounts for different clients, managing multiple accounts effectively becomes essential. Here are some tips for streamlining the process:

1. Use a Password Manager

Managing multiple accounts means dealing with multiple logins. Using a password manager ensures that you can securely store and easily access login credentials for all of your Search Console accounts without the need to remember or manually input passwords.

2. Assign Account Ownership to Clients

For added security, consider assigning account ownership to the client while maintaining access as a user. This way, the client retains control over their data, and your agency can manage SEO tasks without taking full ownership of the account. It also makes it easier for clients to transition to a new provider if necessary.

3. Delegate Permissions

If you have a large team managing different clients, use Google Search Console’s permission settings to delegate access. You can assign different team members as full users, restricted users, or owners, depending on their role and level of responsibility for each client’s properties.

The Future of Google Search Console and Property Management

As digital agencies continue to grow and manage more websites, it’s possible that Google may revisit the current property limits or introduce new features that make it easier for agencies to scale their operations within Search Console. For now, agencies must rely on strategic management and third-party tools to handle their growing portfolios.

Conclusion

Handling Google Search Console’s property limits is a common challenge for digital agencies managing multiple clients and websites. By consolidating properties with domain verification, creating separate accounts for different clients, and utilizing third-party SEO platforms, agencies can overcome these limitations while maintaining comprehensive visibility and control over their clients’ SEO performance.

For digital agencies seeking expert guidance in managing SEO for large client portfolios, Web Zodiac’s SEO Services offer tailored solutions that help agencies scale their operations effectively. Whether you’re looking for white-label SEO services or enterprise SEO services, we help you navigate the challenges of property management and deliver exceptional results for your clients.