You’ve written engaging content, expecting it to drive significant traffic. However, the anticipated influx of visitors isn’t materializing. Puzzled, you turn to Google Search Console (GSC) and notice a status that reads “Crawled – currently not indexed” for your page. So, what does this mean, and more importantly, how can you address it?
Let’s break it down!
Understanding “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” in GSC
The status “Crawled – currently not indexed” in Google Search Console is a crucial signal for website owners and search engine optimization (SEO) professionals. This status indicates that Google’s bots, also known as crawlers, have visited (crawled) your page. However, despite this crawl, the page hasn’t been added to Google’s searchable index. In simpler terms, while Google knows your page’s existence, it has not been deemed suitable for inclusion in search results. This could be due to various factors, ranging from content quality to technical issues on the page.
Identifying this issue is the first step towards resolution. You need to access your Google Search Console account to find this status. Once logged in, navigate to the Indexing report, which provides detailed insights into the indexing status of pages on your website. This report is instrumental in identifying the ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’ status and offering clues as to why your page might not be making it into Google’s index. Understanding this status is key to implementing the right strategies for ensuring your content gets the visibility it deserves in Google’s search results.
Strategies to Resolve “Crawled ‐ Currently Not Indexed”
Resolving the issue of a page being “Crawled – currently not indexed” involves a multi-faceted approach:
- Build Quality Content: The cornerstone of resolving indexing issues is to produce high-quality, informative, and engaging content. Google favors content that adds value to users, offering fresh perspectives, comprehensive information, and an engaging narrative. Ensure that your content efforts are well-researched, accurately reflects user intent, and provides a satisfying answer to your audience’s queries. This could mean in-depth articles, insightful blog posts, or useful guides that attract users and encourage Google to index your page.
- Design a Balanced Website Structure: A logically organized website structure is crucial for efficient crawling and indexing. Your website should have a clear hierarchy, with easily navigable menus and internal links guiding users and Google’s bots through your content. A well-structured website enhances user experience and allows search engines to understand the relationship between different pages, improving the likelihood of indexing.
- Monitor Your Index Coverage: Use Google Search Console’s Index Coverage report to keep tabs on your site’s indexing status. This free tool provides valuable insights into the indexing of your pages and flags potential issues. Regular monitoring lets you quickly identify and address any problems, such as crawl errors or security issues, which might prevent your pages from being indexed.
- Check for Duplicate Content: Duplicate content can be a major barrier to indexing. Google strives to provide unique content in its search results, so if your page is too similar to others on the web, it may not be indexed. Ensure that your content is original and offers something new to your audience. This doesn’t mean you can’t cover topics written about before, but approach them with a fresh perspective or new insights.
- Request Indexing for False Positives: Occasionally, pages are mistakenly marked as ‘not indexed.’ If you believe your page should be indexed but isn’t, you can use the ‘Request Indexing’ feature in Google Search Console. This prompts Google to review the page again, which can sometimes resolve indexing issues if the page was erroneously excluded.
Implementing these technical SEO strategies can significantly improve the chances of indexing your pages, ensuring your valuable content gets the visibility and traffic it deserves.
“Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” vs. “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed”
Understanding the distinction between the “Crawled – currently not indexed” and “Discovered – currently not indexed” statuses in Google Search Console is vital for effective SEO management.
- Crawled – Currently Not Indexed: This status signifies that Google’s bots have visited (crawled) your webpage and analyzed its content but ultimately decided not to include it in the search index. This decision could be due to various reasons, such as the quality of content, site architecture issues, or the page not meeting Google’s guidelines. The crawling process means Google has a complete understanding of what’s on the page but has chosen not to display it in search results at this time.
- Discovered – Currently Not Indexed: On the other hand, the “Discovered – currently not indexed” status indicates that Google is aware of the page’s existence, typically because the URL has been found in an XML sitemap or linked from another site. However, Google’s bots have not yet visited the page to crawl its content. This could be due to various factors, such as crawl budget constraints or a backlog in Google’s crawling queue. In this case, Google needs more information about the page’s content and can only index it once a crawl has occurred.
Understanding these differences is crucial for diagnosing and addressing URL indexing issues. For a page marked as “Crawled – currently not indexed,” the focus should be on enhancing the page’s content and structure. For a page with a “Discovered – currently not indexed” status, it’s often a matter of waiting for Google’s crawl. However, checking the page’s accessibility and ensuring it’s included in a sitemap can expedite the process.
Let Experts Tackle Your GSC Challenges
Resolving these GSC issues can be complex. If you’re struggling to index your pages, it might be time to consult technical SEO experts who can dive deep into these issues and implement effective solutions. Reach out to Zero Gravity Marketing today to get started. We’re the perfect digital marketing partner to help you solve your GSC issues.