The "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status in Google Search Console (GSC) means that Google has crawled your page, but it has chosen not to index it. As a result, the page won’t show up in search results, making it invisible to potential visitors. Understanding why this happens is key to improving your SEO performance and boosting your site’s visibility on Google.
In this guide, you’ll learn the common reasons behind this issue, such as technical blocks, thin content, or duplicate pages. We’ll also cover practical solutions to resolve these problems and ensure your pages get indexed.
Centric specializes in addressing indexing issues and improving SEO outcomes, ensuring your website performs well in search rankings. By following the steps in this guide, you can enhance your website’s indexing and overall SEO success.
What Does 'Crawled – Currently Not Indexed' Mean?
The "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status in Google Search Console means that Google has crawled your page but has decided not to index it.
This means the page won’t appear in Google’s search results. It’s important to fix this issue, as pages that are not indexed can't drive traffic to your website.
This status is often a signal that something on the page needs attention, whether it’s content, technical aspects, or other factors affecting Crawling in SEO. Understanding why this happens is key to improving your SEO performance and boosting your site’s visibility on Google.
Why Google May Choose Not to Index a Page?
Google may choose not to index a page for several reasons. One common reason is poor content quality. If the content is thin or doesn't provide value, Google may skip indexing it. Duplicate content is another issue; if your page has content similar to other pages, Google may avoid indexing it to reduce redundancy in search results.
Technical issues like incorrect meta tags or problems with your site's structure can also cause pages to be crawled but not indexed. These factors can all contribute to "crawled – currently not indexed" issues that affect your site's visibility.
What Are The Causes of the 'Crawled – Currently Not Indexed' Status?
The "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status in Google Search Console often indicates underlying issues that prevent pages from being indexed.
Understanding these causes is crucial to resolving SEO indexing errors and ensuring your pages appear in search results. Let's dive into the most common reasons why crawled pages are not indexed.
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1. Technical Issues
Technical issues are often the primary cause of the "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status. If there are any misconfigurations, Google may crawl a page but choose not to index it.
Robots.txt Blocking
The robots.txt file controls which parts of your website Googlebot can crawl. If this file mistakenly blocks a page, Google won't be able to index it. Pages with blocked robots.txt entries will show up as "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" in GSC. Ensure that important pages are not unintentionally blocked by this file.
Noindex Meta Tags
Pages with a noindex meta tag prevent Google from indexing them. This directive tells Google not to include the page in search results. If you see "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed", check if there’s a noindex tag on the page. Remove it if you want the page indexed.
Redirects and Canonical Tags
Improper redirects or canonical tags can also cause Google to skip indexing. If a page redirects to another URL or has an incorrect canonical tag pointing elsewhere, Google may crawl it but will choose not to index it. Make sure redirects are correctly set and canonical tags point to the intended page to avoid crawled pages not being indexed.
2. Content-Related Issues
Content-related issues are among the most common reasons for the "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status. If Google deems a page's content as insufficient or duplicated, it may choose not to index it.
Thin Content
Pages with too little content or low-quality content often get ignored by Google. If your page doesn’t provide enough valuable information, Google may consider it thin content and choose not to index it. Ensure your pages have meaningful, in-depth content to avoid this issue.
Duplicate Content
If your page has the same or similar content as other pages on your site or the web, Google may filter it out. This leads to "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status, as Google prefers unique content. Avoid content duplication by rewriting and offering something new.
Search Intent Mismatch
Sometimes, even if the content is original, it might not match user search intent. If your content doesn't align with what users are looking for, Google may not index it. Review search results for similar queries and ensure your content meets user expectations.
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3. External and Internal Linking Issues
External and internal linking plays a major role in helping Google discover and index pages. Pages with no incoming links are often overlooked by Google, leading to indexing issues.
Orphan Pages
Orphan pages are pages that have no incoming internal links. Without internal links, Google may not discover or index them. If your page is "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed," check for internal linking issues. Linking from other pages on your site can help Google recognize the page’s relevance and index it.
Lack of Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from external sites signal to Google that your content is authoritative and worth indexing. Without quality backlinks, Google may decide not to index your page. Build backlinks from reputable sources to improve your page’s chances of being indexed.
How to Fix 'Crawled – Currently Not Indexed' Pages?
If your pages are marked as "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" in Google Search Console, it's important to take the necessary steps to resolve the issue. Fixing these SEO indexing errors will help improve your website’s visibility and ensure that more of your pages are indexed. Here’s how to address this issue and get your pages indexed. Start by improving your content quality and conducting an SEO audit to ensure there are no underlying technical issues. A thorough SEO audit will highlight problems such as missing meta tags, noindex issues, or poor content quality that may cause indexing problems.
1. Improve Content Quality
One of the primary reasons for "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" pages is poor content. Improving the content quality will help make your pages more valuable to Google and its users.
- Add Unique, High-Value Content: Ensure your content offers something unique and valuable. Pages with rich, informative content are more likely to be indexed. Google prioritizes content that answers users’ queries and provides a better user experience.
- Content Length: Google compares your pages with top-ranking competitors. If your page lacks depth compared to other pages covering the same topic, it may not be indexed. Add more details to make your content comprehensive and relevant.
2. Fix Technical Issues
Technical issues often prevent Google from indexing your pages. Fixing these issues is key to fixing indexation issues.
- Check and Correct Robots.txt: Your robots.txt file may be blocking important pages. Ensure that this file allows Googlebot to crawl the pages you want indexed.
- Update Meta Tags: Look for noindex meta tags on your pages. If they’re mistakenly added, remove them. These tags tell Google not to index the page, so make sure the correct pages are set to "index."
- Resolve Redirects and Canonical Tags: Improper redirects or canonical tags can prevent indexing. Make sure your redirects go to the correct pages and that canonical tags point to the right URLs to avoid "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status.
3. Build Strong Internal Links
Internal linking helps Google discover and index your pages. Without internal links, your pages may remain unindexed.
- Link to Non-Indexed Pages: Find pages on your site with similar topics and link to the non-indexed pages. Internal links signal to Google that these pages are important and should be indexed.
- Optimize Site Architecture: Ensure your site has a logical structure. Easy navigation and well-organized internal links improve the chances of Google indexing your pages. A clear, user-friendly site layout helps Google understand your content.
4. Update Your Sitemap
A sitemap guides Google to the pages you want indexed. Updating your sitemap can help Google crawl and index your pages more effectively.
- Submit or Resubmit Your Sitemap: Make sure your sitemap is up-to-date and includes all relevant pages. Submit or resubmit it through Google Search Console (GSC) to ensure Google is aware of all your pages.
- Use URL Inspection Tool: After making corrections, use the URL Inspection tool in GSC to manually request indexing. This tool helps Google reevaluate your page for indexing sooner.
How to Monitor and Track Indexing Status in Google Search Console?
Monitoring and tracking your site's indexing status is essential for ensuring pages are properly indexed. If you're facing "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" issues, using tools like Google Search Console (GSC) will help you diagnose and fix the problem. Here's how you can monitor and improve page indexing effectively.
You can use SEO reporting tools to track the progress of your site's indexing status. These tools will provide you with regular updates on the crawl status of your pages and help you understand whether improvements are being made.
1. Understanding the Coverage Report
The GSC Coverage report provides valuable insights into your website's indexing status. It helps you identify pages that are "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" and other issues affecting your site’s visibility.
Walk through the GSC Coverage report and how to interpret the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status:
In the Coverage report, pages with the "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status are listed under the "Excluded" tab. Click on the issue to see details on why Google is not indexing these pages.
You can then use this information to address issues like poor content, technical problems, or missing internal links. This report is crucial for improving page indexing by providing clear action steps.
2. Using URL Inspection Tool
The URL Inspection tool in GSC is another powerful way to check and troubleshoot crawled pages not indexed issues. It allows you to get detailed information on how Googlebot crawled your page and why it might not have been indexed.
Explain how to use the URL Inspection tool to see indexing issues and request re-indexing:
To use the URL Inspection tool, simply enter the URL of the page you want to check in GSC. The tool will show you the current Google indexing status for that page, including whether it was successfully indexed or not.
If the page is marked as "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed," the tool will highlight any issues, such as noindex tags or technical problems. After fixing the issues, you can request re-indexing directly through the tool to speed up the process.
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2 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Addressing 'Crawled – Currently Not Indexed'
When fixing "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" issues, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder your progress. These mistakes often result in pages remaining unindexed, affecting your SEO performance. Here are some key mistakes to watch out for when addressing Crawled vs indexed pages issues. Ignoring keyword research can lead to content that doesn’t align with what users are searching for. Proper keyword research ensures that your content matches the search intent of users and increases the chances of being indexed.
1. Relying Too Much on Automatic Fixes
While tools like Google Search Console (GSC) and automated redirects are helpful, relying solely on them can be problematic. These tools can only detect and fix certain technical issues, but they won't always address content quality or more complex indexing problems.
Why relying solely on tools like GSC and automated redirects can be problematic:
GSC can identify issues like "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed", but it can’t automatically improve content quality or understand user intent. Automated redirects can fix some problems but won't solve issues related to duplicate content or thin pages.
Always pair these tools with a hands-on approach, focusing on content optimization and strategic internal linking to avoid crawled pages not being indexed.
2. Ignoring the Quality of Content
Focusing only on technical fixes can leave content issues unaddressed, leading to persistent "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" pages. Google values high-quality content, and without it, your pages are unlikely to be indexed.
Emphasize the importance of content quality over just fixing technical issues:
Even if you fix technical problems like meta tags or robots.txt, poor content will still prevent indexing. Pages with thin, low-value, or duplicate content are likely to remain unindexed.
Ensure your pages offer unique, informative, and valuable content that aligns with user intent to improve your chances of getting indexed. Quality content is just as important as technical SEO when it comes to Crawled vs indexed pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" Mean In Google Search Console?
“Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" means Google has crawled your page but hasn’t indexed it. This status typically indicates issues like poor content quality, duplicate content, or technical problems preventing Google from including the page in search results. To fix this, make sure you have conducted an SEO audit to detect these issues early and take corrective actions.
How Can I Fix "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" Pages?
To fix this issue, improve content quality, resolve technical problems like noindex tags, and ensure proper internal linking. Updating your sitemap and submitting it in Google Search Console can also help Google re-crawl and index these pages for better visibility.
Why Is Content Quality Important For Indexing?
Content quality is crucial because Google prioritizes pages with valuable, unique information. Thin or duplicate content can lead to pages being "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed". High-quality content aligned with user intent improves your chances of being indexed and ranking in search results.
Can I Request Re-Indexing After Fixing Issues?
Yes, you can request re-indexing using Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool. After fixing issues like noindex tags or improving content, use the tool to notify Google about the changes. This helps speed up the indexing process for affected pages.
Conclusion
Addressing the "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status is crucial for SEO success. Pages that are not indexed cannot contribute to your website’s visibility on Google. By fixing these issues, you ensure better search rankings and higher organic traffic. Taking the time to improve content quality, resolve technical problems, and optimize internal linking will lead to better visibility on Google. Regularly monitor your site’s indexing status using Google Search Console to stay ahead of potential issues. Centric can assist with identifying and fixing indexing problems to boost your SEO rankings. It will ensure your site’s pages are properly indexed and perform well in search results. Consider using the best SEO tools available for tracking and optimizing your site’s SEO performance.
