API Verified : BUT – Getting 403 – Forbidden: Permission Denied

#99029
  • Resolved Ryan Cravotta

    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rank Math free

    First, thanks for making great software! My top-level goal is to set up Google analytics goals from pages and actions from a third-party URL. Secondarily, I’d like us to get some credit (ranking) for all of our content hosted on this third-party server. Right now, analytics is not recognizing the third party URLs and traffic attribution to our domain despite the CNAME redirect from our DNS.

    And so, I want to add a third-party URL to our sitemap in an effort to get analytics to start recognizing these pages as our own. I originally started to add the sitemap URL using the info on another knowledge-based ticket which provides the function code to add to the .PHP on the theme, but it didn’t work for me (or so I believe). I then read about this plugin and, because they are job listings, I was hoping this would be more suited to my purpose.

    URL detail: The corresponding pages to this third-party sitemap are served from our applicant tracking system and viewable on our website via CNAME jobseeker.thearragroup.com

    I added the plugin and followed the instructions, which BTW need a little update >
    you cannot just “add an owner” in users and permission (search console) by the “add a new user” button. As of this date 11/2020 – you now have to go to the 3 dot sub-menu on any of your current “owner” rows and then go to “manage users” and add the owner in this area. You can’t add an owner in the search console direct. It took me a little time to discover this and I thought I’d share.

    Ok, so my API address is integrated/verified into the plugin but I’m still getting a 403 denial on permission from GET “Status” (my URL provided in the sensitive area).

    Is this because the URL I’m attempting to add is not “technically” part of my domain? And if this is the case, how do I achieve my objective of getting the sitemap into the search console and/or getting analytics to recognize the traffic and pages as our own?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Michael Davis

    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rank Math pro

    Hello,

    Thank you for getting in touch and I am extremely sorry about the trouble this might have caused.

    Which API are you facing an issue with, the instant indexing or the Search Console api ?

    If you are referring to the Search Console, the following KB article should be updated on the information on how you can create and use your custom app:
    https://rankmath.com/kb/create-a-google-api-project/

    Previously, it was easy to simply use a filter but with the updated automation we have added, some coding will be required. There are clear steps there on how to achieve that.

    If it’s on instant indexing, this error suggests that the service account is not listed as Owner for the site in Search Console. It might be an issue with the URL you are targeting being a subdomain. Is your subdomain listed in your GSC ?

    If it is then you can fix this by following these steps:
    null
    On the next page, add the service account as an owner with the button:
    null

    Then, head back to the Search Console and refresh to confirm that the service account has been added correctly.​​​​​

    Hope that helps and please do not hesitate to let us know if you need our assistance with anything else.

    Ryan Cravotta

    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rank Math free

    Thanks for your response, Michael.

    I realize now that there was probably too much info in the first post, so let me be a little more direct. Also, as an update, it looks like I can add third-party sitemaps in GSC using the URL prefix method by verifying the parent level URL (verification by UA or gtag).

    1) Rank Math: I do not have an option in my Rank Math navigation for “search console”; Rank Math is on auto-update if that tells you anything, maybe the newer versions do not have it or is that a premium service?

    2) Rank Math:
    RE: Which Rank Math App:
    I am using the “instant search” indexing plugin installed on WP Rank Math app. In my original message, I explained that I already went through all of the steps about the “owner” in GSC, that was never the issue for me. In fact, if you re-read my post, I was actually letting you guys know that your documentation needed to be updated on your website with this new info.

    3) Related but not Rank Math specific: Can you confirm that if I add a property in GSC using the URL prefix method, the sitemap will reflect in GSC and attribute rank to my website? Or do third-party sitemaps not contribute rank to a website?

    4) Related but not Rank Math specific: Additionally if I link GSC to my G-Analytics account, will I be allowed to set goals for these pages in Analytics?

    Thanks in advance!

    Michael Davis

    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rank Math pro

    Hello,

    Thank you for the follow up.

    1. The search console module in our previous versions was revamped into the current analytics module. You should be able to connect to the analytics module by heading to Rank math > Analytics. Please note that you need to have the analytics module enabled in Rank math dashboard to have this option.

    2. If you are having the 403 forbidden error while setting up the Instant Indexing API, it simply means the service account does not have enough permissions on your search console. Please ensure you follow these instructions religiously: https://rankmath.com/blog/google-indexing-api/#4-2-403-permission-denied-failed-to-verify-the-url-ownership

    You should also ensure the authorized domain is the correct version(http/htpps and www/non-www)

    This is a tried and tested method and we are certain these instructions work.They have worked for 1000s of users so it has to be an issue with your setup. It is possible that you missed a step or incorrectly chose some option.

    3. Verifying your property using the URL prefix method should have no issue with your sitemap. You should just follow the usual steps to add your sitemap to your GSC. Since you referring to a third party sitemap, if you have any issues adding your sitemap on GSC, I’d recommend getting in touch with the sitemap plugin support to assist you.

    4. Setting up Google analytics should allow you to create and configure your Goals just fine, here is a guide: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1032415?hl=en

    Hope that helps and please do not hesitate to let us know if you need our assistance with anything else.

    RankBot

    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hello,

    Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.

    If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.

    Thank you.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

The ticket ‘API Verified : BUT – Getting 403 – Forbidden: Permission Denied’ is closed to new replies.