How to Fix the 403: Google Search Console Not Configured Correctly Error

Last Updated on Mar 24, 2026

If you’re seeing a 403: Google Search Console is not configured correctly error in MonsterInsights, don’t worry; this is one of the most common setup issues and it’s straightforward to fix once you know where to look.

This guide walks you through the fix step by step. Start at Step 1 and work your way down. Most users resolve it within a few minutes.

Before You Begin: Two Things to Know

1. There Are Two Types of Google Search Console Properties

When you set up Google Search Console, Google asks you to choose a property type. There are exactly two options:

  • Domain — covers your entire domain across all protocols and subdomains (e.g., everything under example.com)
  • URL Prefix — covers a specific URL you enter, including the protocol and subdomain (e.g., https://www.example.com)

MonsterInsights requires a Domain property. URL Prefix properties are not supported. If your Search Console property is set up as a URL Prefix, you’ll need to add a Domain property before MonsterInsights can connect correctly.

2. Your Google Analytics and Search Console URLs Must Match Exactly

MonsterInsights connects Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Search Console together. For this connection to work, the URL registered in Google Analytics must be identical to the URL registered in Google Search Console — including the http vs https and www vs non-www parts.

For example, these two URLs would not match:

  • Google Analytics: https://example.com
  • Google Search Console: https://www.example.com

We’ll show you exactly where to find both URLs in Step 1.

Step 1: Check That Your URLs Match

Start here. This is the most common cause of the 403 error.

Find your URL in Google Analytics:

  1. Go to analytics.google.com and sign in.
  2. Click the gear icon (Admin) in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Under the Property column, click Property Settings.
  4. Look at the Property URL field at the top of the page. Note this URL exactly, including whether it starts with http:// or https:// and whether it includes www..

Find your URL in Google Search Console:

  1. Go to search.google.com/search-console and sign in.
  2. In the top-left corner, click the property dropdown (it shows your current site name).
  3. Look at the URL shown for your property.
    • If it’s a URL Prefix property, the full URL is displayed (e.g., https://www.example.com/).
    • If it’s a Domain property, only the domain is displayed without a protocol (e.g., example.com).

Check your property type. If your Search Console property shows a full URL like https://www.example.com/, it’s a URL Prefix property and won’t work with MonsterInsights. You’ll need to add a Domain property instead; see Step 2 below.

If you already have a Domain property, compare the domain to the URL in Google Analytics. The base domain (e.g., example.com) should match.

Step 2: Add a Domain Property in Google Search Console (If Needed)

If you don’t already have a Domain property in Search Console, you’ll need to add one.

  1. Go to search.google.com/search-console.
  2. Click the property dropdown in the top-left corner, then click + Add property.
  3. You’ll see two options: Domain and URL Prefix. Select Domain.
  4. Enter your domain name without the protocol; for example, example.com; and click Continue.
  5. Google will ask you to verify ownership via a DNS record. This involves adding a TXT record to your domain through your hosting provider or domain registrar. Your host’s support team can help if you’re not familiar with DNS settings.

Once verified, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Link Google Search Console to Google Analytics

With your verified Search Console property in place, you now need to link it to Google Analytics.

  1. Go to analytics.google.com.
  2. Click the gear icon (Admin) in the bottom-left corner.
  3. Under the Property column, scroll down and click Search Console Links.
  4. Click Link.
  5. Click Choose accounts, select your Search Console property from the list, then click Confirm.
  6. Click Next, choose the web data stream for your site, click Next again, then click Submit.

You should see a confirmation that the link was created successfully.

Step 4: Reconnect MonsterInsights

Once your Search Console property is verified and linked to Google Analytics, reconnect MonsterInsights to refresh the connection.

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Insights → Settings.
  2. Click the Reconnect MonsterInsights button.
  3. Follow the authentication steps.

After reconnecting, visit Insights → Reports → Search Console to confirm the data is loading correctly.

Still Seeing the 403 Error?

Here are a few additional things to check:

  • Make sure you’re signed into the correct Google account. If you have multiple Google accounts, confirm that the same account owns both the Google Analytics property and the Search Console property.
  • Wait a few minutes after linking. Sometimes it takes a short time for Google’s systems to register the new connection before MonsterInsights can read it.
  • Check that your Search Console property is verified. Unverified properties cannot be linked to Google Analytics. In Search Console, a property with a warning icon next to it may have lost verification.

If you’ve worked through all the steps above and are still seeing the error, contact our support team and we’ll help you get it sorted out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Domain property and a URL Prefix property in Google Search Console?

A Domain property covers your entire domain; all subdomains, protocols, and paths under example.com. A URL Prefix property covers only the specific URL you enter, so https://example.com and https://www.example.com would be treated as separate properties. MonsterInsights requires a Domain property to connect correctly.

Do I need to delete my URL Prefix property to add a Domain property?

No. You can have multiple properties in Google Search Console. Simply add a new Domain property alongside your existing one. There’s no need to remove the URL Prefix property.

My URLs already match. Why am I still getting the 403 error?

The most likely cause is that Search Console hasn’t been linked to Google Analytics yet, or the link was made with a different Google account than the one MonsterInsights is authenticated with. Work through Step 3 to confirm the link is in place using the same Google account.

How long does it take for Search Console data to appear in MonsterInsights?

After linking, Google typically begins sending data within 12 – 24 hours. If the Search Console report in MonsterInsights shows no data immediately after setup, give it a day and check again.

Still stuck? How can we help?