Google Search Console is your direct line to understanding how Google sees your site. Here's how to use it to diagnose and fix indexing problems.
Getting Started
- Go to search.google.com/search-console
- Add and verify your property
- Wait for data to populate (may take a few days)
Key Reports for Indexing
Pages Report (formerly Coverage)
Shows the indexing status of all discovered URLs:
- Indexed: Pages successfully in Google's index
- Not Indexed: Pages Google found but didn't index (with reasons)
URL Inspection Tool
Check individual URLs for:
- Indexing status
- Crawl information
- Mobile usability
- Enhancements (schema, etc.)
Sitemaps Report
Submit and monitor your XML sitemap status.
Common Indexing Issues and Fixes
"Crawled - currently not indexed"
Google crawled the page but chose not to index it. Often means thin or duplicate content. Improve content quality or add more unique value.
"Discovered - currently not indexed"
Google knows about the page but hasn't crawled it yet. Check crawl budget, improve internal linking, or request indexing.
"Blocked by robots.txt"
Your robots.txt is preventing access. Review and update if blocking important pages.
"Excluded by 'noindex' tag"
Page has a noindex directive. Remove it if you want the page indexed.
Requesting Indexing
- Use URL Inspection tool
- Click "Request Indexing"
- Wait for Google to recrawl (hours to days)
Pro Tips
- Check Search Console weekly for new issues
- Set up email alerts for critical errors
- Validate fixes after implementing changes
- Monitor trends, not just current status
Related: Website Indexing Guide
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