Why isn’t my website indexed by Google?
If your Ycode site isn’t showing up in Google search results, there may be some issues preventing it from being indexed. This guide highlights common reasons for indexing problems and steps to resolve them.
Before diving in, make sure you’ve set up Google Search Console (GSC) and submitted your site for indexing.
Things to keep in mind
Not every page gets indexed.
Google doesn’t guarantee indexing for all pages, especially on larger websites or pages with low value.
Fixing issues takes time.
Once you resolve an issue and resubmit your page, Google may take several days to process and validate your request. Be patient.
Identifying problem pages
To start troubleshooting, you need to find the pages Google isn’t indexing. Here’s how to check in GSC:
Log in to Google Search Console.
Navigate to Indexing > Pages.
Review the list of non-indexed pages and the reasons provided for each.
Now, let’s address some of the most common non-indexing reasons and how to fix them.
Common indexing issues and solutions
1. Excluded by ‘noindex’ tag
Why it happens: A ‘noindex’ tag is still present, often left over from development.
Fix: In Ycode, go to the page settings and uncheck the "Exclude this page from site search results" setting. Use the URL Inspection Tool in GSC to resubmit the page for indexing.
2. Blocked by password protection (401)
Why it happens: Pages behind password protection can’t be indexed.
Fix: Remove password protection if the page is ready to go live. Then, resubmit the URL in GSC.
3. Soft 404 error
Why it happens: Your server incorrectly returns a success code (200) for a non-existent page.
Fix: This typically affects your 404 page, which shouldn’t be indexed. No action is needed.
4. Page redirects
Why it happens: Pages with redirects aren’t indexed because users are immediately sent elsewhere.
Fix: Check your redirect settings in Ycode. Ensure the destination page is relevant and doesn’t have unnecessary redirects.
5. Duplicate content and canonical conflicts
Why it happens: Google finds duplicate content and selects one page to index, which might not be your preferred version.
Fix: Make your pages unique if both need indexing. Otherwise, set a canonical tag on one page pointing to the other or mark the less important page as noindex.
6. Discovered but not crawled
Why it happens: Google knows about your page but hasn’t crawled it yet.
Fix: If only a few pages are affected, give it time—this often resolves on its own. If many pages are affected, contact Ycode support for further investigation.
7. Crawled but not Indexed
Why it happens: Google has crawled the page but decided not to index it. This could be due to content quality, internal linking issues, or algorithmic concerns.
Fix: For minor issues, wait—it might resolve automatically. For larger problems, evaluate content quality and internal links, or reach out to Ycode support for guidance.
8. Manual penalties
Why it happens: Your site has violated Google’s guidelines, such as hosting spammy content or acquiring bad links.
Fix: Remove any harmful content or disavow toxic backlinks. Submit a reconsideration request through GSC after resolving the issues.
Final thoughts
A range of issues can prevent your pages from being indexed on Google, but most are straightforward to resolve. By identifying the root cause in Google Search Console and applying the solutions outlined here, you can get your site back on track.
If you’ve tried these steps and are still having issues, submit a support ticket for further assistance.
Our support team is ready to help.