Use OAuth 2.0 with the exact scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing. For unattended jobs, create a service account, verify the site in Google Search Console, add that service-account email as an owner of the property, obtain a bearer token, and call the Indexing API. Google Cloud IAM permissions alone do not grant Search Console access, and an HTTP 200 response confirms receipt of a notification—not that Google indexed the URL.
What the Indexing API authentication actually authorizes
Authentication answers two separate questions: which Google identity is making the request, and whether that identity is allowed to submit notifications for the target Search Console property. OAuth 2.0 supplies the authenticated identity and bearer token. Search Console property ownership supplies authority over the site. Both are required.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Google states that applications must use OAuth 2.0; no other authorization protocol is supported. Every access token must include the scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing, which grants read/write access for the Indexing API. A token issued for another Google API, even if it is valid, is not sufficient.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe API is not a general-purpose request-to-index service. It accepts notifications for pages that contain eligible structured data: JobPosting, or BroadcastEvent embedded in a VideoObject. The target URL must also belong to a Search Console property where the calling identity has owner access.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Choose the identity model before creating credentials
| Model | Identity seen by the API | Best fit | Access and operational trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct service account | The service account itself | Server applications, CI jobs, schedulers and other unattended automation | Add the service-account email as a Search Console owner. It avoids interactive user consent, but you must secure the runtime identity or key. |
| User OAuth consent | A Google user who grants consent | Interactive tools that operate on behalf of a person | The user completes an OAuth consent flow and the application stores and refreshes tokens according to that flow. The user must have the necessary Search Console property access. |
| Domain-wide delegation | A service account impersonating a Workspace or Cloud Identity user | Administrative environments that genuinely require user impersonation | Requires delegated authority and has a wider blast radius because the service account can act as delegated users. Google Cloud recommends avoiding it when direct service-account access or ordinary user consent works. |
For a normal publishing pipeline, direct service-account access is usually the narrowest design. Use user OAuth when a person must explicitly authorize an interactive application. Treat domain-wide delegation as an exception, not as a way to bypass Search Console ownership.
Prerequisites and the complete service-account setup
-
Create or select the Google Cloud project
Open the Google Cloud console and select an existing project or create a new one. The project is the container for API activation, service-account credentials and quota accounting. Keep track of its project ID because the credentials and quota must belong to the same project.
-
Enable the Indexing API in that project
In the Cloud console, go to APIs & Services → Library, search for the Indexing API and select Enable. If you use Google’s Indexing API setup tool instead, confirm that it is operating on the same project from which you will obtain credentials. Enabling the API in one project while using a service account from another is a common source of confusion.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Create the service account
Go to IAM & Admin → Service Accounts → Create service account. Give it a purpose-specific name, such as a job-publishing identity, rather than reusing a broad administrative account. Record the generated service-account email; this is the identity you will later add in Search Console.
If your runtime supports attached identities, workload identity or short-lived impersonation, plan to use one of those approaches. If you must create a JSON key, use the service-account page’s Keys tab to create and download one JSON key only after deciding where it will be stored securely.
-
Verify the site in Search Console
Add and verify the property that contains the URLs you will submit. Search Console supports both Domain properties and URL-prefix properties. Choose the property type that matches your operational boundary; a URL-prefix property is narrower, while a Domain property covers the verified domain’s protocol and host variations according to Search Console’s rules.
Rank #2
Sale
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter | USB C Dongle with 90W Max Power Delivery, 3×5Gbps USB A Data Ports, for MacBook, Dell, and More (Charger Not Included)- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
Add the service account as a Search Console owner
Open the verified property’s ownership or user-permission controls in Search Console and add the exact service-account email, taken from the account details or the JSON key’s
client_emailfield, with owner access. The email must match character for character. This is a Search Console authorization step, separate from Cloud IAM roles.Recommended: Crashes or Glitches? A Free Driver Scan Usually Finds the Culprit →Recommended: Fix Windows Errors and Clear Junk Files in Minutes - Free Scan →Recommended: Update Every Outdated Driver on Your PC in One Scan - Free →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Adding a service account to the Cloud project, granting it an IAM role, or enabling the API does not make it an owner of a Search Console property. If the ownership step is missing, requests commonly fail with a permission error even though the Cloud configuration looks correct.
-
Obtain an OAuth 2.0 access token
Use a Google-supported client library or token exchange to mint an access token with the scope
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing. The resulting token is sent as an HTTP bearer token. Service-account access still uses OAuth 2.0; the difference is that the service account obtains the token as an application identity instead of asking a person to complete a consent screen. -
Confirm the token identity before production use
Check that the credentials used by the running process belong to the same service account whose email you added in Search Console. In multi-project environments, log the project and service-account identity at startup (without logging private keys or bearer tokens). This catches deployments that accidentally use a developer account or a similarly named service account.
-
Send the notification request
Call the publish endpoint with JSON: https://indexing.googleapis.com/v3/urlNotifications:publish. An update notification uses
URL_UPDATED; a removal notification usesURL_DELETED. The URL must be inside the verified property and meet the API’s eligible-page requirements.What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
OAuth token details that affect reliability
Use the exact scope
The required scope is case-sensitive and must be exactly https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing. Do not substitute a broad Cloud scope, a Search Console-only scope, or a scope intended for another API. If a token was minted before the scope was corrected, obtain a new token; changing the code does not change an already issued bearer token.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Plan for token expiration
Google Cloud states that short-lived service-account access tokens normally expire after one hour. A scheduler should mint or refresh a token before each batch or whenever the current token is near expiration. Do not cache a bearer token indefinitely, and do not retry a request with an expired token without first obtaining a replacement.
Service-account keys versus keyless credentials
A downloaded JSON key is a long-lived secret that can be copied outside Google Cloud. Prefer an attached service-account identity, workload identity, or short-lived impersonation when the execution environment supports it. These approaches reduce the chance that a leaked file becomes a durable credential.
Request format and practical examples
The publish method accepts one URL notification per request. The URL and notification type are supplied as JSON, while the access token is supplied in the Authorization header.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Submit an update
curl -X POST 'https://indexing.googleapis.com/v3/urlNotifications:publish' -H "Authorization: Bearer $ACCESS_TOKEN" -H 'Content-Type: application/json' --data "{"url":"$TARGET_URL","type":"URL_UPDATED"}"Submit a removal
curl -X POST 'https://indexing.googleapis.com/v3/urlNotifications:publish' -H "Authorization: Bearer $ACCESS_TOKEN" -H 'Content-Type: application/json' --data "{"url":"$TARGET_URL","type":"URL_DELETED"}"Keep the token out of source control, shell history where practical, application logs and error reports. Validate the URL before sending so that malformed, redirected or out-of-scope addresses do not consume quota.
Batching without misunderstanding quota
Batch requests can combine up to 100 calls in one HTTP connection. Batching reduces connection overhead, but quota is counted per URL notification, not per HTTP connection. A 100-URL batch therefore consumes quota for 100 URLs.
Cloud IAM and Search Console permissions are different systems
Cloud IAM governs actions inside the Google Cloud project, such as using a service account, attaching it to a workload or minting an access token. Search Console ownership governs whether that identity may submit indexing notifications for a particular property. You need the correct setting in each system.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
| Situation | What must be true | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| Direct service-account calls | The API is enabled; the service account can obtain an OAuth token; its email is an owner of the Search Console property. | Cloud IAM roles do not replace Search Console ownership. |
| Token creation through impersonation | The calling principal has the permission to mint a token for the target service account. Google documents roles/iam.serviceAccountTokenCreator as including iam.serviceAccounts.getAccessToken. |
Token-creation permission does not authorize the resulting identity to a Search Console property. |
| Attaching a service account to a workload | The deployer has the permissions represented by roles/iam.serviceAccountUser for the attachment operation. |
Workload attachment is not Search Console ownership. |
| Domain-wide delegation | A Workspace or Cloud Identity administrator grants delegated authority, and the service account impersonates an allowed user. | Delegation is not necessary when the service account can be added directly as a property owner. |
When diagnosing a failure, identify which principal is actually in the bearer token. In an impersonation design, it may not be the service account that created the token. Compare that effective identity with the email listed as a Search Console owner.
Security controls for production deployments
- Use least privilege: give the Cloud workload only the permissions needed to obtain and use its service-account identity. Do not grant project-wide administrative roles merely to make a test pass.
- Prefer short-lived credentials: attached identities, workload identity and controlled impersonation are safer than distributing permanent key files.
- Protect unavoidable JSON keys: store them in a secret manager, restrict filesystem access, rotate them, and revoke them when the workload no longer needs them. Never commit a key to a repository or paste it into an issue tracker.
- Separate environments: use distinct service accounts or controlled identities for development, staging and production so a test job cannot submit notifications for every property.
- Audit ownership changes: review the Search Console owner list and Cloud IAM bindings periodically. Remove identities that no longer run the job.
- Scrutinize domain-wide delegation: it can let a service account impersonate users across a domain. Use it only when an administrative requirement cannot be met with direct service-account access or normal user consent.
Quotas, limits and eligible use
Google’s documented default quotas are measured per Cloud project:
| Quota | Default value | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Publish requests | 200 per day | Per project; the daily quota resets at midnight Pacific Time. |
| Metadata requests | 180 per minute | Per project. |
| Total requests | 380 per minute | Per project. |
These limits do not make the API suitable for arbitrary site-wide recrawling. Use it for eligible pages and send notifications when the relevant structured-data page is created, materially updated or removed. Google’s quickstart says that all submissions undergo rigorous spam detection and warns that abuse, including using multiple accounts to exceed quotas, can result in access being revoked.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What an HTTP 200 response means
An HTTP 200 response means Google accepted the notification request. It does not prove that the URL was crawled, indexed, displayed in search, or removed from the index. Google may attempt to recrawl the URL, but crawl scheduling and indexing decisions remain separate from authentication.
The metadata operation reports the latest notification Google received for a URL. It is not a final indexing or removal-status endpoint. For operational monitoring, record the notification type, timestamp, URL, response code and request identity, then verify crawl and indexing outcomes separately in Search Console and your site’s own logs.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Permission-denied and authentication troubleshooting
-
Confirm the API project
In the Cloud console, verify that the Indexing API is enabled in the same project associated with the credentials used by the running process. A correctly enabled API in a different project does not help.
Best Value
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display | 85W Max PD, 1 Powered USB-C 5Gbps & 2 Powered USB-A 3.0 5Gbps Data Ports, for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Dell and More (Black)- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
-
Inspect the OAuth scope
Ensure the access token was minted with
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing. If the token was created with another scope, discard it and mint a new one. -
Match the effective identity
Compare the service-account email or impersonated user represented by the token with the exact owner entry in Search Console. Check for spelling, project changes and credentials loaded from an unexpected environment.
-
Check the property boundary
Verify that the submitted URL belongs to the verified Domain or URL-prefix property. Protocol, host and path differences can place a URL outside a URL-prefix property even when the site appears related.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Validate page eligibility
Confirm that the page contains the supported
JobPostingstructured data or aBroadcastEventinside aVideoObject. Authentication cannot make an unsupported page type eligible. -
Classify the error
Quota failures include categories such as
dailyLimitExceeded,quotaExceededandrateLimitExceeded. AninsufficientPermissionserror points toward scope, effective identity or Search Console ownership. Expired credentials require a fresh access token rather than a repeated request. -
Separate acceptance from outcome
If the response is HTTP 200, stop treating authentication as the problem and monitor recrawl and indexing results separately. Repeatedly resubmitting the same URL will not turn acceptance into a guarantee and can consume quota.
Service account or user OAuth: a practical decision framework
- Choose a direct service account when a backend, deployment pipeline or scheduled task must run without a person present and you can add that account as a Search Console owner.
- Choose user OAuth when users select properties interactively, grant consent themselves or need an application to act under their individual accounts.
- Choose domain-wide delegation only when a Workspace or Cloud Identity administrator requires controlled impersonation and direct ownership or user consent cannot satisfy the workflow.
For each design, document the identity type, consent or ownership procedure, token lifetime, key exposure, required scope, Search Console permissions, runtime support for keyless credentials, quota behavior and audit trail. Those details determine whether the implementation remains maintainable after credentials, projects or team members change.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Deployment checklist
- Cloud project selected and recorded.
- Indexing API enabled in that project.
- Service account created with a purpose-specific identity.
- JSON key avoided, or protected and rotatable if unavoidable.
- Search Console property verified.
- Exact service-account email added as a property owner.
- OAuth token minted with
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/indexing. - Runtime refreshes short-lived tokens and does not log secrets.
- Requests use
URL_UPDATEDorURL_DELETEDonly for eligible URLs. - Quota counters, response codes and effective identity are monitored.
- HTTP 200 is tracked as notification acceptance, with indexing results checked separately.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
