How to Verify Squarespace domain with Bing Webmaster Tools

Bing Webmaster Tools is a free service that provides valuable insights and tools to improve your site's performance and visibility in Bing search results, similar to Google Search Console for Google search results. To start using Bing Webmaster Tools, you'll need to verify Squarespace domain with their services.

Step 1 - Add domain to Bing Webmaster Tools

This guide will walk you through the manual method of verifying your site with Bing Webmaster Tools. You also have the option to port a verified site from Google Search Console into Bing Webmaster Tools, you can learn more about it in this tutorial.

To manually verify your domain in Bing Webmaster Tools:

1. Log into Bing Webmaster Tools.

2. In the Add a site field, enter your domain then click Add.

Add your domain to Bing Webmaster Tools

Step 2 - Verify Squarespace domain

You have three methods to verify your Squarespace website with Bing Webmaster Tools:

1. HTML Meta Tag: The most straightforward method. Use this if you're on a plan that supports code injection (Business plan or higher).

2. XML File: Upload the Bing XML file to the root directory of your website. This method can be tricky for Squarespace users but does not require a Business plan.

3. Add CNAME Record to DNS: This involves adding a CNAME record to your DNS settings. For more details, check out this blog.

Bing Webmaster Tools verification methods

Option 1 - Use HTML <meta> tag

If your plan supports code injection (Business plan or higher), select to the HTML meta tag option and complete the following steps:

1. Copy the HTML code in the input.

2. Open another tab, log into your Squarespace dashboard.

3. Open the Code Injection panel

4. Paste the meta tag in the Header field.

5. Click Save.

6. Return to Bing Webmaster Tools and click Verify to complete Squarespace domain verification.

If successful, you'll be see a Congratulations! message. Step-by-step included below

10 STEPS

1. Open Bing Webmaster Tools
and Enter your site URL

2. Enter your website URL and
Click Add

3. Click HTML Meta Tag

4. Click Copy

5. Open Squarespace Code Injection

6. Paste the Bing Verification code

7. Click Save

8. Open Bing Webmaster Tools and click Verify

9. Click Done

10. That's it. You're done.

Here's an interactive tutorial

** Best experienced in Full Screen (click the icon in the top right corner before you begin) **

Next step

Option 2 - Use XML file method

Use this if you're on Personal plan currently with no access to Code Injection panel

This method requires you to upload a .xml file to your root directory of Squarespace website, which is not available for Squarespace users, but we can use 301 redirection to mimics the behavior of uploading to root directory. This is similar to upload IndexNow verification key to Squarespace, with slightly different

Bing Webmaster Tools XML verification

Download the BingSiteAuth.xml File:

• Download the BingSiteAuth.xml file from Bing Webmaster Tools.

Upload the BingSiteAuth.xml File:

• Upload the BingSiteAuth.xml file to your Squarespace website using the Link Manager.

• Once uploaded, the file should be available at https://yoursite.com/s/BingSiteAuth.xml

Upload the BingSiteAuth.xml File

Set Up a 301 Redirection:

• Get the real URL of the uploaded file using a URL tracing tool like WhereGoes or Beyondspace Redirection tracer

• In the trace URL input, enter your BingSiteAuth.xml path, e.g., https://yoursite.com/s/BingSiteAuth.xml, and click "Trace URL".

• Once tracking is complete, copy the real URL of the uploaded XML file.

Trace URL of uploaded xml file

Configure URL Mapping:

Create new URL mapping

• The redirection will be in this format /BingSiteAuth.xml -> {real-xml-path} 301.

• If you used Beyondspace Redirection tracer to trace the redirection, simply copy the redirection in Root Directory Redirection after the trace completed.

Copy root directory redirection

Add new redirection in URL Mappings

• Go to Settings > Developer Tools > URL Mappings in your Squarespace dashboard.

• Insert a new line and place the new URL mapping, eg: /BingSiteAuth.xml -> {real-xml-path} 301.

• Press Save.

Set up 301 redirection

Verify in Bing Webmaster Tools:

• Open the Bing Webmaster Tools tab and click Verify.

• If successful, you will see a "Congratulations!" message.

Option 3 - Add CNAME Record to DNS

Check the details in this blog

Conclusion

Verifying your Squarespace website with Bing Webmaster Tools may seem daunting, but with the right method and a few straightforward steps, it's entirely manageable. Whether you choose to use an HTML meta tag, XML file, or a CNAME record, each method ensures your site is properly indexed and managed within Bing's search results.

This is just the first step in managing Bing search results. You'll need to submit your sitemaps and run your first site scan to take full advantage of Bing's search engine. Although Bing's market share is currently smaller than Google's, the rise of AI makes visibility on Bing essential, as both ChatGPT and Bing search are backed by Microsoft.

We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. Happy optimizing!