Can i have both HTML file AND meta tag?

  • When connecting and verifying WP to link with Search Console etc, i have 2 tags that do this.
    I have the HTML googlee file located in the Theme root directory.
    I also have the HTML meta tag in WP Yoast/Webmaster tools.

    i have heard one cancels the other out? Is this true? Is it ok to have both or should i delete one of them or does it not make any difference to leave them both there?

    i also have the UA Global site code from the tracking sectio n in Google Analytics in the head of my source code

    Any advice if i have too many codes everywhere or if this is all ok?

    I have asked many SEO people to sort all this out and none know the definitive answer about which codes and tags and files i need.

    Please help

    • This topic was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Steven Stern (sterndata). Reason: developing -> everything else
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by Jan Dembowski. Reason: Moved to Fixing WordPress, this is not an Everything else WordPress topic
Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Moderator bcworkz

    (@bcworkz)

    We’re not privy to the inner workings of Google, so cannot give a definitive answer. As mere speculation, I doubt they’d cancel each other. One should take precedence over the other. The site verification file belongs in the site’s public root folder, not the theme root folder. But if Yoast is providing a site verification tag, I recommend removing the verification file. If the offered hexadecimal code string is the same, it’s likely safe to have both, but why tempt fate, even if conflict is unlikely?

    Thread Starter realme29

    (@realme29)

    Thank you for the reply

    I’m not a SEO person and have resorted to working it all out myself ( v limited! ) as i can’t find anyone to help me with various questions still pending about my website

    The person who designed the site is doing bits of SEO for me, but she sometimes doesn’t fully understand what to do
    I think she told me she put the googlee code (HTML file ) in the ‘child theme’ part of Bakery theme in WP?

    Anyway, i will hold out for any other answers to this, but suspect u may be right to remove it

    Moderator bcworkz

    (@bcworkz)

    In any case, if your site appears in your Google Search Console, then the site verification code is working as it should. It doesn’t affect your site’s search rankings, it’s to ensure you have sufficient control over site content to be considered the site’s owner or administrator.

    Thread Starter realme29

    (@realme29)

    Yes that’s right

    I thought i had heard its best not to have both as they cancel each other out, so may remove the html file anyway

    Would be really useful to have confirmation if anyone knows for sure

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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