How to Fix the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Issue in Google Search Console – 6 Easy Steps!

The “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status in Google Search Console (GSC) can be a frustrating issue for website owners and SEO professionals. This status indicates that Google’s crawlers have accessed your pages but have not yet added them to the index. As a result, these pages will not appear in search results, potentially affecting your site’s visibility and traffic. Addressing this issue promptly is crucial for maintaining your website’s SEO health and ensuring that all valuable content is indexed.

Understanding the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Status

What Does “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Mean?

When a page is labeled as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” in GSC, it means:

• Crawling: Google’s bots have successfully visited the page and read its content.
• Not Indexed: Despite crawling, the page has not been added to Google’s index, which means it will not show up in search results.

Why Does This Happen?

There are several reasons why a page might be crawled but not indexed:

• Content Quality: Google may deem the content as low quality or duplicate.
• Technical Issues: Problems with the page’s technical setup, such as poor internal linking or a broken URL structure.
• Google’s Algorithms: Google’s algorithms might decide the page is not relevant or valuable enough to include in search results.
• Crawl Budget: Google might prioritize other pages due to limited crawl budget.

Step 1: Review the Page Content

1. Assess Content Quality

Ensure that the page content is high-quality and valuable to users. Google prioritizes pages that provide useful, original, and relevant information.

Checklist:

• Originality: Confirm that the content is unique and not duplicated from other sources.
• Relevance: Make sure the content aligns with the user’s search intent and adds value.
• Readability: Ensure the content is well-written, easy to read, and engaging.

2. Check for Duplicate Content

Duplicate content can lead to indexing issues. Use tools like Copyscape or Siteliner to identify and resolve any duplicate content problems.

Action:

• Consolidate Duplicate Pages: Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page if duplicates are necessary.
• Update Content: Make necessary changes to ensure content uniqueness.

Step 2: Inspect and Fix Technical Issues

1. Validate Robots.txt and Meta Tags

Ensure that your page is not being blocked by robots.txt or meta tags that could prevent indexing.

Checklist:

• Robots.txt: Check your robots.txt file to ensure the page is not disallowed.
• Meta Robots Tags: Confirm that there are no noindex directives in the meta robots tags of the page.

Example:

javascript

User-agent: * Disallow: /private/

Meta Robots Tag:

html

<meta name="robots" content="noindex">

2. Fix Broken Links and Errors

Broken links or errors on the page can affect indexing.

Actions:

• Use Screaming Frog: Analyze your site for broken links and fix them.
• Resolve 404 Errors: Ensure that pages return a 200 OK status and correct any 404 errors.

Step 3: Optimize Internal Linking

1. Improve Internal Linking Structure

A robust internal linking structure helps Google discover and index pages more effectively.

Checklist:

• Link to Important Pages: Ensure that important pages are linked from other high-authority pages within your site.
• Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Use relevant and descriptive anchor text for internal links.

Example: Instead of using "click here," use "learn more about our mortgage services."

2. Check for Orphan Pages

Orphan pages are pages that do not have any internal links pointing to them.

Actions:

• Identify Orphan Pages: Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to find orphan pages.
• Add Internal Links: Link these pages from relevant sections of your site.

Step 4: Review Your Crawl Budget

1. Optimize Crawl Budget Allocation

Google allocates a specific crawl budget to each site. If your site is large or has many low-value pages, you may need to optimize your crawl budget.

Actions:

• Prioritize High-Value Pages: Ensure that important pages are prioritized in your sitemap and internal linking.
• Manage Low-Value Pages: Consider using the noindex tag for low-value or duplicate pages to free up crawl budget.

2. Monitor Crawl Statistics

Use Google Search Console to monitor your crawl stats and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Actions:

• Check Crawl Rate: Ensure that Googlebot is not encountering too many errors or issues during its crawl.
• Adjust Sitemap: Update your sitemap to reflect the most important pages.

Step 5: Request Indexing in Google Search Console

1. Use the URL Inspection Tool

If you’ve made improvements to the page, use the URL Inspection tool in GSC to request indexing.

Actions:

• Submit URL: Enter the URL in the URL Inspection tool and click “Request Indexing.”
• Check Status: Monitor the status of your indexing request and ensure that the page is eventually indexed.

2. Monitor Indexing Progress

After requesting indexing, keep an eye on the page’s status in Google Search Console to ensure it gets indexed.

Actions:

• Check for Updates: Regularly check the indexing status and address any issues if the page is still not indexed.
• Review Coverage Report: Use the Coverage report in GSC to track indexing progress and resolve any new issues.

Step 6: Conduct a Comprehensive SEO Audit

1. Perform an SEO Audit

Conduct a thorough SEO audit to identify any underlying issues that might be affecting indexing.

Actions:

• Audit Content: Review the quality and relevance of your content.
• Audit Technical Aspects: Check for technical issues such as crawl errors, broken links, and improper meta tags.
• Audit Backlinks: Evaluate your backlink profile to ensure that your site is receiving quality backlinks.

Tools:

• Screaming Frog: For a detailed SEO audit.
• Google Search Console: For monitoring indexing and crawl issues.

2. Implement Recommendations

Based on your audit findings, implement the recommended changes to improve your site’s indexing status.

Actions:

• Fix Technical Issues: Address any technical issues identified during the audit.
• Enhance Content: Improve content quality and relevance based on audit insights.
• Strengthen SEO: Optimize your overall SEO strategy to support better indexing.

Offer: Comprehensive SEO Audit and Indexing Optimization Services

At Web Infomatrix, we specialize in diagnosing and fixing indexing issues, including the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” problem. Our comprehensive services include:

1. Detailed SEO Audit

• Content Quality Review: Assess the quality and relevance of your content.
• Technical Audit: Identify and fix technical issues affecting indexing.
• Backlink Analysis: Evaluate and optimize your backlink profile.

2. Indexing Optimization

• Internal Linking Improvement: Enhance your internal linking structure for better indexing.
• Crawl Budget Management: Optimize your crawl budget allocation.
• Request Indexing: Use the URL Inspection tool to request indexing and monitor progress.

3. Ongoing Monitoring and Support

• Indexing Status Monitoring: Regularly check and report on your indexing status.
• Continuous Improvement: Provide ongoing recommendations and support for maintaining optimal indexing.

Why Choose Us?

• Expertise: Our team has extensive experience in handling complex indexing issues and SEO audits.
• Customized Solutions: We tailor our services to meet your specific needs and goals.
• Results-Driven: Our focus is on delivering tangible improvements in your site’s indexing and search performance.

Ready to Fix Your Indexing Issues?

Contact us today to learn more about our SEO audit and indexing optimization services. Let us help you resolve indexing issues and enhance your site’s visibility in search results.

By following these six easy steps and leveraging the offered services, you can effectively address the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue in Google Search Console and improve your website’s indexing status. Implementing these strategies will help ensure that all valuable pages are indexed and visible in search results, ultimately supporting your SEO efforts and driving more traffic to your site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. What does the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status mean in Google Search Console?

The “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status means that Google’s crawlers have successfully visited the page but have not yet included it in the search index. This status indicates that while Google knows about the page, it does not currently consider it relevant or valuable enough to show in search results.

2. Why might a page be crawled but not indexed?

Several factors can lead to a page being crawled but not indexed:

• Content Quality: Google might find the content low quality or not valuable enough.
• Technical Issues: Problems with the page’s structure, such as broken links or incorrect meta tags.
• Duplicate Content: The page might have duplicate content that Google deems not worth indexing.
• Crawl Budget: Google might be prioritizing other pages due to a limited crawl budget.

3. How can I improve the quality of my page content to encourage indexing?

To enhance content quality:

• Ensure Originality: Make sure your content is unique and not duplicated from other sites.
• Add Value: Provide in-depth, relevant, and useful information that meets user needs.
• Improve Readability: Ensure that your content is well-written, easy to read, and engaging.

4. What technical issues should I check for if my page is not being indexed?

Common technical issues to check include:

• Robots.txt File: Ensure that the robots.txt file does not disallow Googlebot from accessing the page.
• Meta Robots Tags: Check for noindex tags in the page’s meta robots tags.
• Broken Links: Fix any broken links or 404 errors on the page.
• Page Status Codes: Ensure that the page returns a 200 OK status and not a 4xx or 5xx error.

5. How can I improve my site’s internal linking structure?

To enhance internal linking:

• Link to Important Pages: Ensure key pages are linked from other high-authority pages on your site.
• Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Implement relevant and descriptive anchor text for internal links.
• Add Links to Orphan Pages: Ensure that all important pages are reachable through internal links.

6. What is crawl budget, and how does it affect indexing?

Crawl budget is the number of pages Googlebot will crawl on your site within a given time frame. If your site has many low-value pages or technical issues, Google might prioritize crawling other pages over yours, affecting indexing. To optimize crawl budget:

• Prioritize Important Pages: Focus on crawling and indexing high-value pages.
• Manage Low-Value Pages: Use noindex tags for pages with low SEO value.

7. How do I use the URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console?

To use the URL Inspection Tool:

1. Open Google Search Console: Navigate to the URL Inspection Tool.
2. Enter the URL: Paste the URL of the page you want to inspect.
3. Check Status: Review the information about the page’s crawl status.
4. Request Indexing: If necessary, click “Request Indexing” to ask Google to reconsider the page for indexing.

8. How often should I update my sitemap to address indexing issues?

Update your sitemap regularly to reflect changes in your site’s content and structure. Ensure that your sitemap:

• Includes Important Pages: Lists all important pages that should be indexed.
• Is Free of Errors: Does not contain broken links or incorrect URLs.

9. What tools can help with diagnosing indexing issues?

Useful tools include:

• Google Search Console: For monitoring indexing status and requesting indexing.
• Screaming Frog: For analyzing your site’s structure and identifying technical issues.
• Ahrefs/Moz: For tracking SEO performance and addressing indexing issues.

10. What steps should I take if my page remains “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” despite fixing issues?

If issues persist:

• Review Changes: Ensure that all recommended changes have been implemented correctly.
• Check for Updates: Monitor the indexing status in Google Search Console for updates.
• Consult an Expert: If problems continue, consider seeking help from an SEO expert for a more detailed analysis.

11. Can external factors affect indexing status?

Yes, external factors can influence indexing:

• Backlinks: Quality backlinks can enhance a page’s credibility and likelihood of being indexed.
• Site Performance: Slow loading times or server issues can impact crawlability and indexing.
• Competitor Content: High competition or similar content on other sites might affect indexing decisions.

12. How long does it take for a page to be indexed after requesting indexing?

The time it takes for a page to be indexed can vary:

• Immediate Updates: Sometimes indexing can be relatively quick, within a few days.
• Extended Time: In other cases, it may take weeks, especially if there are many pages or issues on your site.

13. What should I do if Google still does not index my page after multiple requests?

If indexing issues persist:

• Reevaluate Content: Double-check the content quality and relevance.
• Review Technical Aspects: Ensure there are no overlooked technical issues.
• Seek Professional Help: Consult with SEO experts for a thorough review and resolution.

14. Is it normal for some pages to remain unindexed?

Yes, it’s normal for some pages to remain unindexed:

• Low-Value Content: Pages deemed low-value or redundant may not be indexed.
• Crawl Limitations: Google’s crawl budget and algorithms might affect which pages are indexed.

15. How can I ensure that my entire site is effectively crawled and indexed?

To ensure effective crawling and indexing:

• Optimize Content: Provide high-quality, relevant content.
• Fix Technical Issues: Address any technical problems that could hinder indexing.
• Monitor and Update: Regularly use SEO tools to monitor your site’s status and make necessary updates.

By understanding and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can effectively tackle the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue and improve your website’s indexing status, ensuring better visibility and performance in search engine results.

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