How to Resolve “Publication Setup Not Set Live” in Google Publisher Center

Are you facing the “Your publication setup has not been set live” message in the Google Publisher Center? This common hurdle can prevent your content from reaching a wider audience through Google News. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a step-by-step solution to get your publication up and running.

Understanding the Issue

The message indicates that Google has not been able to verify sufficient information about your website. This is a crucial step for Google to ensure that your site is ready and meets the standards for being featured in Google News.

Key Steps to Fix the Problem

1. Verify Your Website’s Accessibility: Ensure that your website is live and can be accessed without any issues. Check for any loading errors and confirm that all pages display correctly.

2. Update Your Website Information: Provide comprehensive details about your website. This includes contact information, an ‘About Us’ section, and clear descriptions of your content.

3. Reapply After a Few Days: Sometimes, it’s just a matter of time. Make the necessary updates and wait a few days before reapplying to give Google’s crawlers time to reassess your site.

4. Access Your Publication: Use the link provided in the message from Google to access your publication directly in the Publisher Center.

5. Resubmit Your Content: Once you’ve addressed all the issues, resubmit your content via the Publisher Center. This will prompt Google to review your site again.

Additional Resources

• Google News Help Center: A comprehensive resource for all your queries related to Google News.
• Google News Help Forum: Connect with other publishers and get insights into common issues and solutions.

Conclusion

Getting past the “publication setup not set live” message is essential for leveraging the full potential of Google News. By ensuring your website is accessible, providing detailed information, and patiently reapplying, you can increase your chances of a successful submission. Remember, it’s all about making it easy for Google to find and verify your content.

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Make sure to include the keywords “Google Publisher Center,” “publication setup not set live,” “Google News,” and “resubmit content” throughout your article to optimize it for search engines. Additionally, consider creating a video tutorial or a forum post discussing the issue, as these can also help improve visibility and provide value to your audience¹²³. Good luck with your publication!

Here are more details about the verification process for Google Publisher Center:

1. Site Verification in Search Console: Before submitting your publication for approval, you need to verify your site in the Google Search Console. This involves finalizing your feed and website URL¹.

2. Ownership Verification: You must verify the entire site’s ownership in the Search Console. This is important because to associate your articles with your Google News publication, they must come from a verified domain¹.

3. Primary Website Property URL: In the Publisher Center, under “General” settings, you need to enter the “Primary website property URL” and click on “Verify in search console” to initiate the verification process¹.

4. Domain Name Provider Method: If possible, use the domain name provider method to verify ownership. This means verifying the top domain (e.g., “example.com”) rather than a subdomain (e.g., “news.example.com/news”). If you have news content from multiple subdomains, verify ownership of the top domain to set up your news sections in Publisher Center¹.

5. HTML File Verification Method: If you’re unable to use the domain name provider method, you can opt for the HTML file verification method. This alternative method involves uploading a specific HTML file to your website to prove ownership¹.

6. Resolving Issues: If you’ve followed the steps above and are still unable to verify your content, it’s recommended to contact the Google support team for further assistance¹.

7. Secondary URLs: To verify secondary and other URLs, use the “Additional website property URLs” section in the Publisher Center¹.

Remember, signing in to Publisher Center with the same email account used to verify your site in the Search Console is crucial. After verification, your domain will be discoverable in Google News, and you can submit your publication for review¹.

By following these detailed steps, you can address the verification issues highlighted by Google and move forward with setting your publication to “live” status. If you need further guidance, the Google News Help Center and the Google News Help Forum are valuable resources¹²³.

Here are some FAQs that address common questions related to the Google Publisher Center and the verification process:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Google Publisher Center Verification

Q1: What is Google Publisher Center? A1: Google Publisher Center is a tool that allows publishers to manage how their content appears across Google products, including Google News. It provides a platform to submit, manage, and monetize content effectively.

Q2: Why is my publication setup not set live in Google Publisher Center? A2: This usually happens when Google is unable to verify sufficient information about your website. It’s essential to ensure that your website is accessible, has all necessary information, and meets Google’s content policies.

Q3: How can I verify my website in Google Publisher Center? A3: You need to verify your site in Google Search Console first. Then, in the Publisher Center, provide your primary website property URL and follow the prompts to complete the verification process.

Q4: What should I do if my website fails to load during the verification process? A4: Check your website for any technical issues that might prevent it from loading, such as server downtime or DNS problems. Once resolved, reapply in the Publisher Center.

Q5: How long should I wait before reapplying after making the necessary updates? A5: It’s recommended to wait a few days after making updates to your website before reapplying. This gives Google’s crawlers time to reassess your site.

Q6: Can I contact Google support if I’m having trouble with the verification process? A6: Yes, if you’ve followed all the steps and are still facing issues, you can reach out to Google support for assistance.

Q7: What additional resources are available for publishers facing verification issues? A7: Google provides a comprehensive Help Center and a Google News Help Forum where you can find information and connect with other publishers for support.

Q8: Is it necessary to verify the top domain of my website? A8: Yes, verifying the top domain rather than a subdomain can simplify the process and ensure that all your news content is associated with your Google News publication.

Q9: What happens after I successfully verify my website? A9: Once verified, your domain will be discoverable in Google News, and you can submit your publication for review to be featured in Google News.

Q10: How important is it to include contact information and an ‘About Us’ section on my website? A10: Very important. Google requires clear information about who is behind the content, so including detailed contact information and an ‘About Us’ section is crucial for verification.

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These FAQs should help guide users through the verification process in Google Publisher Center and address common concerns. Remember to keep the content updated with the latest guidelines from Google to ensure accuracy.