3 min read

Fixing Common Google Search Console Indexing Issues for Better SEO

Google Search Console offers the "Submit for Indexing" feature as a way to request Google to crawl and index specific URLs on your website. While this feature is helpful, it should be used thoughtfully to ensure it benefits your site’s SEO and indexing efforts. Below, we'll delve into when and when not to use "Submit for Indexing" and integrate this guidance with the action steps provided for each indexing issue.

When to Use "Submit for Indexing"

1. New Content or Page Updates:

Situation: You've added new content or significantly updated an existing page.
Reason: To expedite the crawling and indexing of fresh or updated content.
Action: Use the "Submit for Indexing" tool in Google Search Console to request a crawl. This helps ensure that the new or updated content is quickly indexed and available in search results.

2. Fixing Critical Errors:

Situation: You've fixed an error on a page, such as a 404 (Not Found) error, a redirect error, or an issue flagged in the "Crawled - Currently Not Indexed" report.
Reason: To ensure Google re-crawls the page and recognizes the fix, thereby potentially improving the page’s search performance.
Action: After resolving the issue, use "Submit for Indexing" to prompt Google to re-evaluate the page.

3. Important SEO Changes:

Situation: You've made significant SEO changes, such as updating meta tags, headers, or canonical tags.
Reason: To help Google quickly register these critical SEO updates.
Action: Use "Submit for Indexing" to speed up the indexing process for these changes.

When Not to Use "Submit for Indexing"

1. Routine or Minor Changes:

Situation: You’ve made minor updates to a page, such as correcting typos or making slight adjustments.
Reason: Google will eventually crawl these pages during its regular crawl cycles. Frequent use of "Submit for Indexing" for minor changes can be unnecessary and may not significantly impact indexing speed.
Action: Allow Google to naturally re-crawl the page over time.

2. Pages with No Significant Value:

Situation: Pages that are not crucial for SEO, such as thank you pages, admin pages, or duplicate content pages.
Reason: Using "Submit for Indexing" for these pages does not add much value and can divert attention from more critical content.
Action: Focus indexing requests on pages that offer substantial content or strategic SEO value.

3. High-Frequency Use:

Situation: Using "Submit for Indexing" repeatedly for the same set of pages within a short period.
Reason: Google’s resources are finite, and excessive use of this feature can lead to diminishing returns. It’s better to focus on quality rather than quantity.
Action: Use this feature judiciously, prioritizing pages that need urgent attention.

Integrating "Submit for Indexing" Guidance with Specific Issues

Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag:

Action: No need to use "Submit for Indexing" unless you’ve made significant updates to the canonical tags or the content itself.

Page with Redirect:

Action: Use "Submit for Indexing" if you’ve fixed redirect errors or changed the redirect path.

Excluded by ‘noindex’ Tag:

Action: If you’ve removed the ‘noindex’ tag from a page that should now be indexed, use "Submit for Indexing."

Redirect Error:

Action: After fixing a redirect error, use "Submit for Indexing" to ensure Google acknowledges the fix.

Blocked by robots.txt:

Action: If you’ve updated the robots.txt file to allow indexing of previously blocked pages, use "Submit for Indexing."

Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical Than User:

Action: Use "Submit for Indexing" after correcting canonical tags to prompt Google to re-evaluate the canonical preferences.

Crawled - Currently Not Indexed:

Action: If you’ve enhanced the page content or fixed issues that might have prevented indexing, use "Submit for Indexing."

Not Found (404):

Action: After fixing a 404 error (e.g., restoring the page or redirecting to a relevant page), use "Submit for Indexing."

Discovered - Currently Not Indexed:

Action: Use "Submit for Indexing" if the page has substantial content updates or improvements to encourage Google to index it.

Conclusion

"Submit for Indexing" is a powerful feature in Google Search Console, but it should be used strategically. Prioritize it for significant changes, critical error fixes, and important new content to make the most of its benefits. For minor updates and less critical pages, rely on Google’s natural crawl cycles to maintain a healthy and efficient indexing process. By using this feature wisely, you can enhance your website’s visibility and performance in Google search results.

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