google creating pages on site

google validation on site

[MrWhippy]

Hi all,

I have just come across a file on a site that is named google"random number here" and it says that it was placed there to verify with google,

can anyone tell me if this is legimate or if it has been put that falsley.

[Trace]

It's legit. if you want to verify your site and use the Google webmaster tools, uploading a file that Google supplies is one way to do it.

www.google.com/webmasters/tools/

[MrWhippy]

Thanks for that trace,

much appreciated

[Marshall]

MrWhippy, For future reference, in lieu of the Google file, you may see meta tags in the home/index page such as
<meta name="verify-v1" content="abunchofnumbers">
or
<meta name="y_key" content="abunchofnumbers">

Again, these are placed there to verify site ownership when you want to submit a site map, the code being provided by either Google or Yahoo.

Marshall

[MrWhippy]

Marshall,

Many thanks for the info, im sure that will be most usefull.

[jdMorgan]

Be aware that this is a file that the webmaster must upload to the site -- Google does not install this verfication file, so you -- or a previous Webmaster must have done it.

If this is not the case, then it's possible that your server is insecure, and someone else has 'claimed' your site in Google Webmaster tools by uploading this verification file.

Jim

[MrWhippy]

Thanks jim,

I think one of my coleagues set up some google anyalyzer type things on there then forgot about it, i will be checking logs etc to have a look round see if i can see anythin.