API Returned a 403 Response / Error: We encountered an error when fetching the report data

Are you seeing an error when you try to view your Search Console Report?

The error message might say:

The API returned a 403 response with this message: ExactMetrics failed to retrieve the new report data.

Or you might see:

Error: We encountered an error when fetching the report data

If you’re seeing these errors while trying to view your Search Console report within ExactMetrics, follow this guide to learn how to resolve the issue.

The following steps are only for troubleshooting issues with Universal Analytics (UA) properties. For users that have a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property instead, try creating a Domain property type in your Search Console. Read more here: Google Search Console Domain Property Support.

Are you unsure which Analytics property type you have? Learn more here: Google Analytics 4 Versus Universal Analytics

Step 1: Within Analytics, click into Admin.

While viewing the Admin page, open Property Settings and note whether or not your URL is http or https. Also, note if your URL is correct.

 

Step 2: You can then open a new tab, or simply click into Admin » All Products » Search Console. Click the Adjust Link button to view the URL configured for Google Search Console.

 

Step 3: If you haven’t created a Search Console property for your website yet, you can follow this guide: How to Verify Your Site in Google Search Console with Google Analytics.

If you do have a Search Console property connected, compare the values between Step 1 and Step 2.

Pay particular attention to:

  • If your URL is http or https.
  • If your URL begins with www or not.
  • If your URL has any spelling errors.

The 403 error you’re seeing is caused by the URLs not being exactly the same:

  • If your Google Analytics property has a value of http://example.com but your Google Search Console is using https://example.com, this will cause an error.
  • If your Google Analytics property has a value of http://www.example.com but your Google Search Console is using http://example.com, this will also cause an error

Correct the mismatch by doing either the following:

After making changes, you should be able to view your Search Console report at ExactMetrics » Reports » Search Console.

I’m still getting an error

If you still see an error, you can try the following suggestions:

Confirm that the Google account connected to ExactMetrics also has full access or permissions to your Analytics property and Search Console property.

Then try reconnecting ExactMetrics and Google Analytics, but before doing so, fully disconnect ExactMetrics and Google Analytics first. This can be done at ExactMetrics » Settings.

If you get an error on the first try when disconnecting, that’s okay. Try disconnecting again by clicking on Force Deauthenticate. This will fully disconnect ExactMetrics and Google Analytics. When reconnecting, make sure to use the Google account that has access to both your Analytics and Search Console property.

If you prefer, you can create a Domain Search Console property type instead of using a URL prefix property type.

Once this property has been created and verified, wait 24-48 hours before checking if your Search Console report is accessible. To learn how to create a Domain property type, see here: Google Search Console Domain Property Support.

Submit a ticket

After following all of the above steps, if you still get an error when trying to access your Search Console report, please feel free to reach out to our support team, who will be happy to help.

While logged into your ExactMetrics account, click on the Support page.

Fill out the support form and share as much detail as possible in terms of what steps you’ve taken. Once the support form is filled out, Submit your ticket. You’ll receive an automated email to confirm your ticket has been received. A support team member will follow up with you as soon as possible.

During this time, please know you’ll be able to view your Search Console property reports directly at https://search.google.com/search-console/.