SEO Audit: Why is my site not indexed?
In the world of search engine optimization, having your website or page indexed by search engines is crucial for visibility and organic traffic. However, there are instances where websites or specific pages may not get indexed as desired. In this article, we delve into a discussion between Martin, John, and Gary, who share insights on the potential reasons for indexing issues. We also explore the various tools and reports available in Google Search Console that can help identify why your website is not being indexed.
I. Understanding Website Indexing:
- Importance of website indexing for search engine visibility
- How indexing works: search engine crawlers, sitemaps, and the index
II. Technical Factors Affecting Indexing:
A. Martin’s Perspective:
1. Website crawling issues: server errors, robots.txt, and noindex directives
2. XML sitemaps: proper implementation and submission
3. Canonicalization: handling duplicate content effectively
4. URL structure and parameters: ensuring crawl ability and indexability
B. John’s Perspective:
1. Page loading speed and mobile-friendliness: impact on crawl and indexing
2. JavaScript-rendered content: ensuring proper rendering for search engines
3. Structured data and schema markup: enhancing search engine understanding
III. Quality Factors Affecting Indexing:
A. Gary’s Perspective:
1. Content relevance and uniqueness: providing value to users and search engines
2. Thin or low-quality content: addressing the content depth and quality issues
3. User experience signals: bounce rate, engagement metrics, and their impact on indexing
4. Manual actions and penalties: recovering from search engine penalties
IV. Utilizing Google Search Console:
- Overview of Google Search Console and its Importance for website owners
- Martin, John, and Gary discuss the various tools and reports available in Search Console to diagnose indexing issues, including:
- Index Coverage Report: Identifying crawl and indexation problems
- URL Inspection Tool: Checking individual page indexing status and troubleshooting
- Sitemaps Report: Verifying sitemap submission and indexing status
- Manual Actions Report: Detecting manual penalties and resolving issues