Connect guide · Claude Code

Connect Google Search Console and GA4 to Claude Code

Direct answer

Claude Code needs one command and one sign-in to reach Search Console and GA4. Run claude mcp add --transport http rankgaroo https://mcp.rankgaroo.com/mcp, start a session, open /mcp, select rankgaroo and choose Authenticate. Your browser opens the Rankgaroo consent page, then Google. Adding the server does not start sign-in by itself, so the Authenticate step is required. The server is read-only, so Claude Code cannot change anything in your Google accounts.

Steps from Claude Code's docs, checked 2026-10-25. Rankgaroo is in private beta: join the list to get access.

Connector URL

https://mcp.rankgaroo.com/mcp

Steps

In your terminal, run:

Command

claude mcp add --transport http rankgaroo https://mcp.rankgaroo.com/mcp

Scope is local by default (this project only). Add --scope user to use it in all projects, or --scope project to save it in .mcp.json.
Start Claude Code and run /mcp.
Select rankgaroo, then choose Authenticate.
Finish sign-in in the browser: Rankgaroo consent page, Continue to Google, then Google's access screen. Return to the terminal.
Optional check: claude mcp list shows ! Needs authentication until sign-in is done.

Prefer a file? Put this in .mcp.json:

Config (JSON)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "rankgaroo": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.rankgaroo.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Sign-in starts when you choose Authenticate in /mcp, not when you add the server. Your browser opens the Rankgaroo consent page, which names Claude Code. Click Continue to Google. Google asks for read-only Search Console and Analytics access, and you can untick either one.

What you need

Claude Code installed, with its own Claude account or API access. The docs set no MCP-specific plan.
A browser on the same machine for sign-in. For headless machines, see the quirks below.
If your organization uses managed MCP settings, an admin may need to allow this server.

Good to know

claude mcp add does not start OAuth. Use /mcp, select the server, then Authenticate.
Do not set an Authorization header on this server. If you do, a 401 or 403 shows as failed and Claude Code does not start sign-in.
In a JSON entry, include "type": "http". A url without a type is read as a local stdio server and gives a config error.
If the browser redirect fails, paste the full callback URL into the prompt in Claude Code.
Headless machine: claude mcp login rankgaroo, with --no-browser if you want a URL to open elsewhere. claude mcp logout rankgaroo signs out.
If you are signed in to Claude Code with a Claude account, connectors you added on claude.ai also load there.
Claude Code asks permission the first time it calls a tool on the server.

First questions to try

List my Search Console properties and tell me which has the most clicks in the last 90 days.
Which pages have impressions but a click-through rate under 1 percent in Search Console this month?
Compare organic sessions in GA4 for the last 30 days against the previous 30 days.

Questions

Does Claude Code support remote MCP servers with OAuth?

Claude Code supports remote HTTP MCP servers with OAuth. Its docs call HTTP the recommended option for remote servers, and it handles both Dynamic Client Registration and Client ID Metadata Documents. Rankgaroo works with either.

Is the Rankgaroo connection in Claude Code read-only?

Yes, the Rankgaroo connection in Claude Code is read-only. Google's screen asks only for read-only Search Console and Analytics access, and you can untick either one. The five tools are whoami, gsc_list_properties, gsc_search_analytics, ga4_list_properties and ga4_run_report. None of them can change your data.

Why does claude mcp list show Needs authentication?

The Needs authentication status in claude mcp list means the server is added but you have not signed in yet. Open /mcp inside a session, select rankgaroo, and choose Authenticate.

Why doesn't Claude Code show the Rankgaroo tools?

Claude Code lists no Rankgaroo tools until sign-in finishes. Run /mcp and check the status of rankgaroo. Also check that the JSON entry has "type": "http" and no Authorization header.

How do I get access to Rankgaroo while it is in beta?

Rankgaroo is in a private beta, so access is by invite from the beta list. Join the list on the Rankgaroo site and we will send an invite when a spot opens.

Sources: Claude Code: connect to MCP servers, Claude Code: MCP quickstart, Claude: connectors getting started