Q: We changed domains and skipped the GSC Change of Address tool. Does that matter?
A: It matters, but you can still do it now. Short answer: the Change of Address tool in Google Search Console tells Google explicitly that your whole site moved, speeding up the transfer of signals to the new domain.
Long answer: 301s alone will eventually get the job done, but the tool acts like a fast-pass: it signals an intentional, site-wide move rather than letting Google infer it URL by URL. Skipping it isn't fatal, yet it can stretch your recovery timeline. It only works for full domain changes (not subdirectory or HTTPS moves), and it requires both old and new properties verified, with 301s already live.
The fix:
— Verify both old and new domains in Search Console
— Confirm sitewide 301s are working
— Run Settings → Change of Address on the old property
Next step: verify the old domain in GSC today, then submit the change of address.
Migration Helpdesk
@MigrationHelpdesk
Q: We changed domains and skipped the GSC Change of Address tool. Does that matter?
Этот пост опубликован в Telegram-канале Migration Helpdesk. Подписаться можно по ссылке: @MigrationHelpdesk.