There are a number of troubleshooting suggestions on the verification guide at https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-verify-my-account in the section marked "My website address won’t turn green! How do I make it happen?"

If none of the suggestions work, try putting this in your site header instead:

<link href="(URL OF YOUR MASTODON PROFILE HERE)" rel="me">

In the past I had to remove it from my profile, wait a while (I left it a day because I forgot) and then add it back in. I think one time I only left it for an hour. But I’ve had to do this twice.

ha! So, no rhyme or reason, but that worked? I may have to try it. Thank you. 🙂

The order you do things has an effect, you have to save your profile on Mastodon after you've added the verification code to your webste.

If you just add the verification code and don't re-save your profile afterwards, your server doesn't know to check your site for the link.

ah, yay! I used the debugging tool & it suggested I just resave my profile and try again.

That worked! Thanks!

Brilliant! Great to hear! 🥳