Google Adds “Associate” Feature To Google Webmaster Tools For YouTube Integration

Google products integration seems to be getting stronger day by day. Google has added the “Associate” feature to Google Webmaster Tools for organizations having multiple presences on the web. This feature allows webmasters to add "associates" -- trusted users who can act on behalf of your site in other Google products. Unlike site owners and users, associates can't view site data or take any site actions in Webmaster Tools, but they are authorized to perform specific tasks in other products.

Google Webmaster Tools logo (Photo credit: Kinologik)

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For example, Webmaster Tools lives atwww.google.com/webmasters, but it also has a Twitter account and a YouTube channel. It's important that visitors to these other properties have confidence that they are actually associated with the Webmaster Tools site. To add or change associates In Webmaster Tools: 1. On the Webmaster Tools home page, click the site you want. 2. Under Configuration, click Associates. 3. Click Add a new associate. 4. In the text box, type the email address of the person you want to add. 5. Select the type of association you want. Settings In YouTube Account: It’s also possible for users to request association from a site’s webmaster. 1. Log in to your YouTube partner account. 2. Click on the user menu and choose Settings > Associated Website. 3. Fill in the page you would like to associate your channel with. 4. Click Add. If you’re a verified owner of the site, you’re done. But if someone else in your organization manages the website, the association will be marked Pending. The owner receives a notification with an option to approve or deny the request. 5. After approval is granted, navigate back to this page and click Refresh to complete the Google explained on its official blog that - for example, Webmaster Tools lives at  www.google.com/webmasters, but it also has a Twitter account and a YouTube channel. It's important that visitors to these other properties have confidence that they are actually associated with the Webmaster Tools site. Currently , there is only the YouTube option available for this feature. It will not be surprising if gradually other Google products also get added to it. I presume (Just guessing) Google+ to be the immediate next product to be integrated soon. August 1, 2012