As the title suggests, is it worth using and does it have any advantages/disadvantages in your overhaul SEO/page ranking? I ask because when submitting your website sitemap.xml url for indexing you could just as well do it without going through “webmaster tools†and it is just another way for Google to know how many sites you have.
yep it is neccassary i guess , my freiend had a pr3 blog , which he never submitted on webmaster her google would only crawl the homepage and index that . where as if u submit the sitemap, google will crawl each and evry page and plus u can diagnose ur site performance and key word density, as i own a soccer blog , and i add around 30 post everyday, google index my post in 10min not necessary but preffered
No it is not necessary, but it gives you vital information about your site in google serp's. And also an alert if there is any violation of their t.o.s.
From my experience - if you have a big site it's mandatory; if you have a small one, it's not necessary.
I agree with "choice's" post. It is so easy to get your site validated, and then you get the multiple, free benefits of Google Webmaster Tools.
Those who have something to hide will not use G's webmaster tools. What does that tell G? If site 'A' uses webmaster tools, the owner has nothing to hide, therefore increase trust factor by x%. I do not claim to know that G is doing this. I only know that it makes perfect sense for G to do it. /*tom*/
What I like about google webmaster tool is it actually tells you what keyword your site or page is ranking for. I've got one of my site trying to rank for a keyword and never ranked. Lo and behold google webmaster tools tells me that I already on first page for another but still ok keyword. It also tells you if youre accidentally block SE bots
Using any service that Google offers you as a webmaster can not hurt. I do believe, but can't prove, that you get more respect from Google by using the webmaster tools.