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When changing a site domain name with Google Webmaster Tools, how can I verify both sites?

Google seems to require that both sites are simultaneously validated (by the same method) but with different meta tag codes. This is obviously impossible to achieve. I can't seem to to use the "change of name" function as even if I put both meta tags in the header at the same time (which allows me to validate both sites) the transfer fails as Google then seems to re-check the meta tags and finds the wrong one for one of the sites.

Am I doing something wrong?

All that's happened is that the domain name has changed, so it's not possible for me to use different meta tags on different sites. Is there a way I can tell Google about the domain name change?

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  • Can't you just verify by another means like uploading the file to the server? – zigojacko Jan 28 '14 at 17:18
  • I can't - Google requires that both sites are validated by the same method :( – NickG Jan 28 '14 at 17:18
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    Select a different validation method for both then. Neither have to use a meta tag for verification. – zigojacko Jan 28 '14 at 17:19
  • Oh I see what you mean. Let me try that... – NickG Jan 28 '14 at 17:20
  • Hmm, now it wants me to verify the root URL (without the www.) which I have no (easy) control over so I think I'll have to give up. Thanks for your help anyway. – NickG Jan 28 '14 at 17:50
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The easiest way to verify for domains where you don't have a live site is via DNS. Go into Alternate Methods and Google Webmaster Tools will provide you with a TXT record that you just need to add to your domain, regardless of whether you have any content on it.

See this from Google Webmaster Tools for more info: Verification: Domain name provider

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If the above does not work then you have to use the header validation. You can put that along with an HTML redirect on a page and try that.

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