Site Not Showing on Google? Check for a Leftover noindex Tag First
You launch a site, wait a few weeks and still cannot find it on Google. Before you blame content or links, check for a noindex setting. It tells search engines to keep the page out of results, and it is easy to leave switched on after building on staging. This guide shows where to look and what to do once it is gone.
What noindex does
A noindex instruction asks search engines not to show a page in results. It can be set in a meta tag in the page head or in an HTTP response header. Either way, a page marked noindex will not appear for any search.
How to see it on a live page
- Open the page in your browser and view the page source.
- Search for the word noindex in the head section.
- Check the response headers too, since the instruction can be sent there.
- Or run a Nyrolo audit, which flags pages that carry a noindex instruction.
WordPress
In the dashboard, open the Reading settings and look for the option that discourages search engines from indexing the site. If it is ticked, clear it and save. An SEO plugin can also set noindex on individual pages or post types, so check there too.
Webflow
In the project settings, check the SEO section for the option that disables indexing, and review individual page settings for a noindex toggle. Make sure the custom domain, not the Webflow subdomain, is the version you want indexed.
Shopify
A store that is password protected cannot be indexed. Remove the storefront password in the online store preferences when you launch. Also check that no theme code adds a noindex tag to pages you want to rank.
After you remove it
- Confirm the page source no longer contains noindex.
- Make sure robots.txt does not block the page, since Google must be able to crawl it to see the change.
- In Search Console, inspect the address and request indexing.
- Submit your sitemap if you have not already, and check back in a few days.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to appear after I remove noindex?
It varies from a few days to several weeks. Requesting indexing in Search Console and having a sitemap can help, but Google decides when to crawl.
Can I use noindex on purpose?
Yes. It is the right tool for thank-you pages, internal search results, login pages and other pages you do not want in results.
Is a site: search a reliable check?
It gives a rough idea but is not exact. The Search Console page indexing report and URL inspection tool are more reliable.
Keep reading
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