Google Is Not Indexing Your Site! Want To Know Why??

Do you think that your website is not getting crawled? If that’s really the case, then you are definitely missing out on a lot of traffic. It is an essential SEO feature under which Google indexes your website to achieve organic traffic from searches. Any site that fails to get indexed would mean that you are lost amidst millions of useless websites. There would be no audience for your content, as it will not be included in Google’s search index.

Before you fix the indexing bug, you need to diagnose the indexing issues. Some of the most common reasons for your site not getting indexed are listed below. You should go through them to find out the particular reasons for your website. So, let’s begin!

20 Reasons Why Google Is Not Indexing Your Site Are:-

YOUR SITE IS INDEXED UNDER A WWW OR NON-WWW DOMAIN.

It is important to note that www is a subdomain, which is why http://website.com is quite different from http://www.website.com. To make sure both sites are indexed by Google, you have to add both websites to your Google Webmaster Tools account. You will need to verify both the sites. However, you can always set a preferred domain.

GOOGLE CAN’T FIND YOUR SITE.

New websites usually experience this. You may try waiting for a few days, but in case Google still does not index your site, check whether your sitemap is uploaded correctly and is operating the right way. You should request Google Crawl to fetch your site in this case. Here is what Google suggests:

• Go to the Webmaster Tools Home page, hover and click over the required site.
• Under the Crawl option, select Fetch as Google.
• Provide the path to the page that needs to be checked.
• Select Desktop from the drop-down list.
• Once you click over Fetch, the requested URL will be fetched by Google.
• After seeing the Fetch status of “Successful,” click Submit to Index. In the end, you need to click for the indexing type based on your choice and requirement.

 ROBOTS.TXT IS BLOCKING YOUR SITE OR WEBPAGE.

One of the significant issues faced by websites is when the developer or editor has left your website blocked through robots.txt. No worries, the fix, in this case, is easy! You just need to remove that particular entry from robots.txt. Once this is done, your website will reappear in the index.

OOPS! YOUR SITE GOT DE-INDEXED.

In case your site has been penalized manually and removed from the index, you will be notified about it beforehand. For those who have a website with a shady past, the website might be on the verge of getting penalized, which could be the reason for de-indexation.

If this is the reason for your website getting de-indexed, you have to gear up for some extra hard work.

DUPLICATE CONTENT.

The golden rule for any website is to stay away from any sort of duplicate content. In case your website is loaded with lots and lots of duplicate content, you are confusing search engines and leading them to de-index your site. When multiple URLs point towards the same material, you are confusing the search engine. You can rectify this issue by picking one page and redirecting the rest to 301.

THE DOMAIN NAME IS MISSING.

When the domain name isn’t correctly framed, it’s like having your mail delivered to the wrong house. Google loves to deliver search results accurately, but if your domain name is missing or misframed, then that’s not right.

It’s not just about having a name; it’s about having the right name. Sometimes, domain names might expire, get typos, or have technical glitches. If your website’s address isn’t clear or doesn’t match your actual content, Google might hesitate to give it a front-row seat in search results.

Imagine having a store with no signboard. Even if you have the coolest stuff inside, people might have a hard time finding it. That’s what a missing or misframed domain name feels like to Google—it’s harder for them to direct users to your site.

YOUR WEBSITE’S TECHNICAL SEO IS NOT GOOD.

If Google is the search engine superstar, technical SEO is the script that tells it what your website is all about. This lets Google understand your site’s structure, content, and overall setup.

Now, if your technical SEO isn’t up to par, then it can cause problems. Issues like broken links, slow loading times, or confusing website structure can confuse Google’s search bots. This can make it harder for them to index your site properly.

If your technical SEO is not well-organized, Google struggles to showcase your website in search results.

GOOGLE HAS PUNISHED YOUR WEBSITE EARLIER.

Let’s say Google penalized your website in the past; then it’s like having a digital record. It acts like a mark that says, “Hey, Google, this site has misbehaved before.” These penalties might be due to things like shady SEO tactics, spammy content, or violating Google’s quality standards.

These penalties can lead to lower rankings or even removal from search results, leaving your site wandering in the online wilderness.

YOU DON’T USE A SITEMAP.

In case your website doesn’t have a sitemap, it’s like handing Google a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box – a bit confusing! Without this roadmap, Google might struggle to discover and index all the valuable content on your website.

Imagine you’re in a library without a catalogue telling you where to find the books. That’s what it’s like for Google when your site lacks a sitemap – it’s tougher for them to understand and showcase your content in search results.

THE META TAGS ARE NOFOLLOW, NOINDEX.

When your website pages have these NoFollow and NoIndex tags, it’s like inviting guests to a party but forgetting to put up signs to direct them. Google gets the message not to showcase these pages in its search results, making it hard for people to stumble upon your content.

This is exactly like having a cool gallery but keeping the doors locked. That’s what it’s like when these tags restrict Google from showcasing your web pages – your awesome content remains hidden from curious visitors.

YOU HAVEN’T ADDED THE DOMAIN PROPERTIES TO THE GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE.

Think of it as your website’s backstage pass to the Google search engine. When your site isn’t added as a domain property in the Search Console, it’s like missing out on an invitation to the coolest party in town.

When your website isn’t added to Google Search Console, it’s like opening a shop but not telling anyone about its grand opening. Google doesn’t know your site exists or how to navigate through it effectively.

JAVASCRIPT-POWERED CONTENT DISPLAY ON YOUR WEBSITE. 

JavaScript is like the magician behind the curtains, making your website’s content come to life. But here’s the catch: sometimes, Google’s search bots might not fully understand JavaScript-powered content.

When your website heavily relies on JavaScript for content display, it’s like writing a fantastic story but in invisible ink. Google’s search bots might struggle to read or comprehend this content, making it harder for your website to appear in search results.

When Google can’t decode your content, your website might miss out on appearing in search results, leaving your valuable content unseen by searchers.

USE OF PLUGINS BLOCKING GOOGLE TO CRAWL YOUR WEBSITE.

Website plugins – they’re like the extra tools that enhance the functionality of your website. But here’s the thing: certain plugins can sometimes act like closed doors to Google’s crawlers, hindering their ability to fully explore and index your site’s content.

When plugins are blocking Google from crawling your website, it’s like hosting a fantastic event but forgetting to send out invitations. Google crawlers find it difficult to access or navigate through your site, resulting in your content not showing up prominently in search results.

When these plugins restrict Google’s access, your website remains hidden from potential visitors searching for what you offer.

YOUR WEBSITE HAS A REDIRECT LOOP.

Redirect loops can make Google dizzy instead of helping it navigate your website. A redirect loop occurs when pages on your website keep redirecting in an endless loop, confusing search engines like Google.

When your website has a redirect loop, it’s like giving Google a map that leads to never-ending roads with no destination. Google gets stuck in this loop, unable to properly crawl and index your website’s content.

LACK OF ENGAGEMENT FOR YOUR AUDIENCE.

Audience engagement is like a friendly conversation between your website and its visitors. When your website lacks audience engagement, it’s like a conversation where no one responds. Google notices this and might think your site isn’t interesting or useful for people searching online.

When there’s a lack of engagement, it’s like throwing a party with no music or laughter. Visitors quickly lose interest and leave, signalling to Google that your website doesn’t keep people interested or involved.

When there’s no engagement, everyone leaves quietly, and Google notices the lack of excitement and interaction.

MINIMAL, WELL-CRAFTED CONTENT FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE.

Content can be said as the storybook of your website, inviting visitors to read and engage. When your website has minimal, well-crafted content, it’s like a bookshelf with only a few pages. Google might not find enough valuable information to share with searchers.

When there’s minimal content, it’s like having a conversation with too many pauses. Visitors might not find enough useful information and quickly move on, and Google takes notice of this.

YOUR WEBSITE’S LOADING SPACE IS SLOW.

Website loading speed is like the speedometer of your online presence. When your website’s loading speed is slow, it’s like taking a walk while others run ahead. Google notices this and might not be keen on showcasing a slow-loading website to searchers.

When there’s a slow loading speed, it’s like standing in a long line – visitors get impatient and leave. This signals to Google that your website isn’t delivering a swift and smooth experience.

When your website lags, visitors might abandon it, and Google sees this lack of interest.

THE USE OF A CODING LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT FOR GOOGLE TO UNDERSTAND.

Coding language acts as the building blocks that create your website. When your website uses a coding language that’s difficult for Google to understand, it’s like speaking in a secret code. Google might struggle to interpret and properly index your site’s content.

When using a complex coding language, it’s like writing a fantastic story but using words that confuse instead of enlighten. Google might not understand this language barrier and may not display your website in search results effectively.

WEBSITE IS NOT OPTIMIZED FOR MOBILE DEVICES.

Mobile optimization is exactly like tailoring your website to fit different-sized screens, just like finding the right-sized shoe for every foot. When your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, it’s like wearing clothes that don’t fit properly – Google sees this and might not showcase your website prominently in mobile searches.

When the website isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s like trying to read a book with tiny print – visitors get frustrated and leave quickly. This signals to Google that the website isn’t user-friendly on mobile devices.

When your website isn’t optimized for mobile, Google might not consider it reliable for mobile users.

YOUR WEBSITE HAS GEOGRAPHICAL OR REGIONAL RESTRICTIONS.

The geographical or regional restrictions are like having a fence around your website, limiting who can enter. When your website has these restrictions, it’s like putting up a ‘closed’ sign for Google. This affects its ability to fully explore and index your site’s content.

When there are restrictions, it’s like hosting a gathering but only allowing a few guests inside. Google notices this and might not promote your website widely in search results.

Final Words

We’ve looked at various reasons that influence how Google sees and shares your website. Each of these factors links together, shaping how Google decides which sites to show in search results. Fixing these issues can help Google notice and display your website better.

Remember, every change you make can bring your website into the spotlight, making it more appealing for users and Google. So, take these steps and let your website stand out in the vast online space.