Are You Brave Enough to Fix the Silly “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Error? Or Are You Just Going to Let Your Site Stay Invisible?

What Exactly Does “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Even Mean? (And Why Should You Care?)

Let’s start by making sure you fully understand the problem at hand. I don’t want to assume you know what “Crawled—currently not indexed” actually means because, clearly, you wouldn’t be here if you were the SEO genius you claim to be.

Here’s the deal: Googlebot (Google’s own little army of robots) crawls the web to discover new pages and content. Think of it like Google sending out a fleet of tiny scouts to check out your website and report back on whether it’s worth indexing. The process is simple: Google crawls your page, assesses its value, and adds it to its index if it deems the page worthy. Once indexed, your page can appear in search results whenever someone types in a relevant query.

But, oh no! Your page was crawled, meaning Google sent its scout over to give it a look, but the scout returned and decided it wasn’t good enough to index. That’s what “Crawled – Currently not indexed” means: Google saw your page, shrugged, and moved on without a second thought.

And here’s why you should care: If your page isn’t indexed, it doesn’t exist in the eyes of Google. I don’t care how great your content is, how many backlinks you’ve gathered, or how well-optimized your meta tags are—if the page isn’t indexed, you might as well have never published it in the first place.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of why this happens and, more importantly, how you’re going to fix it so your site gets the visibility it deserves.

Why ALL Your Pages Must be Indexed (Unless You Enjoy Throwing Away Traffic)

I know you’re smart enough to realize this, but I will spell it out in case you missed SEO 101: If your pages aren’t indexed by Google, they won’t appear in search results. This isn’t rocket science. It’s the foundation of SEO. Your pages need to be indexed if you want any hope of ranking, driving traffic, or gaining visibility.

Let me put it in terms even a child could understand. Imagine you’ve written a book. It’s a fantastic book—full of gripping narrative, complex characters, and groundbreaking insights. But instead of putting that book on the shelf at a bookstore or listing it on Amazon, you lock it in your closet where no one can see it, touch it, or buy it. That’s what happens when your pages aren’t indexed. They’re invisible. They don’t exist to Google, and if Google can’t find them, neither can anyone else.

So, why is it so critical to get all your pages indexed? Because each indexed page is a potential traffic source. Each page is another opportunity to rank for a different keyword, attract a different audience, and drive conversions. Whether you’re running a blog, an e-commerce store, or a corporate website, every page should work for you, pulling in traffic and helping you achieve your goals. If your pages sit in that sad “not indexed” category, they do nothing for you. But once they’re indexed, the possibilities are endless.

This isn’t just about maximizing your site’s potential—it’s about survival in the cutthroat SEO world. If your competitors are getting their pages indexed and you’re not, guess who will win? Spoiler: It’s not you.

Why Google Is Giving You the Cold Shoulder (And Why It’s Your Own Fault)

So why is Google treating your page like a wrong Tinder date and ghosting it after a quick scan? I won’t sugarcoat this for you: 99% of the time, it’s your fault. I know, I know—tough love, right? But the truth is, if your pages aren’t getting indexed, it’s likely because you’re doing something wrong. Google doesn’t just skip pages for no reason. There’s almost always a method to the madness.

Let’s examine the possible reasons Google is skipping over your pages and how you can fix them. Don’t worry—I’ll hold your hand through the entire process, but I’ll also silently judge you for not knowing this already.

Reason #1: Your Content Is About as Exciting as Watching Paint Dry

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if your page isn’t getting indexed, it could be because your content is thin, dull, or just plain useless. Google is in the business of delivering high-quality content to its users. If your page is offering the digital equivalent of a soggy piece of toast, Google’s going to pass.

Thin content is one of the biggest culprits for pages needing to be indexed. What’s thin content, you ask? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like—content that doesn’t offer much value. It could be too short, poorly written, or lacking in substance. Maybe you’re just regurgitating information already covered a million times by other websites. Either way, Google isn’t impressed.

How to Fix It: Write better content. Simple. But seriously, if you take the time to publish something, ensure it’s worth reading. This means longer, more detailed posts that provide actual value to the reader. And no, stuffing your post with keywords will take much work. Google is smart enough to see through that. You must provide in-depth analysis, useful information, and original insights that people can’t find anywhere else.

So go back to that page that needs to be indexed and ask yourself: “Is this actually valuable? Would I want to read this if I stumbled upon it?” If the answer is no, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Reason #2: Your Page Is a Loner with No Friends (AKA Internal Links)

Look, I get it. You created a new page, hit publish, and assumed Google would just magically index it because it’s excellent. Wrong. If your page is off on its own island with no internal links pointing to it, Google will have a more challenging time finding it and deciding to index it.

Internal links are crucial for helping Google’s bots navigate your site. Think of internal links like a road map that tells Google, “Hey, this page is important! Come check it out!” If you’re not linking to your new page from other pages on your site, Google might not even realize it’s there. Or worse, Google might see it but decide it’s not important enough to bother indexing.

How to Fix It: Start linking to your unindexed page from other high-authority pages on your site. And no, I don’t mean a tiny link buried in your footer. I mean actual, meaningful internal links that signal to Google that this page is worth its time. If you have a pillar page or a hub of content that gets a lot of traffic, link to your unindexed page from there. Make it impossible for Google to ignore it.

Reason #3: Your Technical Setup Is a Mess (But Don’t Worry, I’ll Help You Fix It)

You know that saying, “The devil’s in the details”? Well, in SEO, the devil is in your technical setup. It’s not glamorous, but if your technical settings are blocking Google from crawling and indexing your page, it doesn’t matter how great your content is—it’s not getting indexed.

One common issue is your robots.txt file. This tiny file tells Google what it can and can’t crawl on your site. If you’ve accidentally blocked Googlebot from crawling certain pages, those pages aren’t going to get indexed. Another common issue is the “noindex” tag in your meta tags. This tag literally tells Google, “Do not index this page.” So, if you’ve accidentally added that tag, guess what? Your page is going to need to be indexed.

How to Fix It: First, check your robots.txt file. If you need to learn how to do this, Google it (I won’t do all the work for you). Make sure you’re not blocking Googlebot from crawling any pages you want to be indexed. Next, check your meta tags. Look for the “noindex” tag and remove it from any pages you want to be indexed. It’s like flipping the switch from “closed for business” to “open for business.”

Reason #4: Google Just Isn’t Ready to Commit (Yet)

Sometimes, it’s not you—it’s Google. Seriously. Sometimes, Google crawls your page but holds off indexing it briefly. It’s not because your content is terrible or your site is broken. Sometimes, Google needs time to figure out where your page fits in the grand scheme.

It could be that Google is still deciding how to rank your page compared to similar content. Or maybe Google’s just busy with other indexing priorities. Whatever the reason, it’s not personal. It’s just how Google works sometimes.

How to Fix It:  Patience, grasshopper. Give it some time. If your page isn’t indexed after a couple of weeks, you can manually request indexing through Google Search Console. This is like giving Google a little nudge and saying, “Hey, don’t forget about me!”

The Ultimate Fix: How to Get Your Pages Indexed Like the SEO Pro You Pretend to Be

Alright, now that we’ve covered why your pages aren’t getting indexed, let’s talk about how to fix the problem. And when I say fix, I mean fix it so thoroughly that Google can’t *wait* to index your pages. Buckle up because I’m about to turn you into an indexing machine.

Step 1: Log Into Google Search Console (Yes, You Should Already Have This Set Up)

First things first: Google Search Console is your new best friend. If you still need to set it up, I question your SEO commitment. This tool is free and gives you all the information you need to ensure your site’s performance is at its best.

Once you’re in, navigate to the “Coverage” section. This is where you’ll find a list of all the pages on your site that Google has crawled but has yet to index. These are your problem children—the pages you must fix if you want them to appear in search results.

Step 2: Audit Your Content (And Don’t Be Afraid to Be Brutally Honest)

Now, I want you to take a good, hard look at the content on the pages that need to be indexed. Is it really as good as you think it is? Or are you just throwing up thin content and hoping Google doesn’t notice? Spoiler alert: Google always notices.

If your content doesn’t provide value, it won’t get indexed. It’s that simple. So go back through your unindexed pages and ask yourself: “Is this content better than what my competitors are offering? Is it detailed, informative, and engaging? Or is it just filler?”

If your content is lacking, it’s time to rewrite. Add more detail. Answer common questions. Provide unique insights that your competitors have yet to think of. Make your content so good that Google has no choice but to index it.

Step 3: Strengthen Your Internal Linking Structure (No Page Left Behind)

Remember earlier when I said internal links are like a roadmap for Google? It’s time to break out your cartography skills and start mapping out a better internal linking structure for your site.

Go to your high-authority pages—the ones that get a lot of traffic and rank well in search results—and start linking to your unindexed pages. But don’t just slap a link in there for its sake. Make sure the link is relevant and adds value to the user experience. Internal linking isn’t just about SEO—it’s about helping your users navigate your site more effectively.

Step 4: Fix Your Technical Issues (Because I Know You’re Probably Ignoring Them)

Next, it’s time to get technical. I know—technical SEO isn’t the sexiest part of the job, but it’s essential if you want your pages to be indexed.

Start by checking your robots.txt file. This is where you tell Google what it can and can’t crawl on your site. Ensure you’re not accidentally blocking any pages you want to be indexed. If you see any disallow rules that shouldn’t be there, remove them.

Then, check your meta tags for any “noindex” tags that could prevent Google from indexing your pages. If you find a “noindex” tag on a page you want to be indexed, remove it. It’s as simple as that.

Step 5: Request Indexing (Because Sometimes Google Needs a Nudge)

Once you’ve made all the necessary changes to your content, internal links, and technical setup, it’s time to request indexing through Google Search Console. This is your way of saying, “Hey, Google, I’ve done the work—now go ahead and index my page.”

To do this, return to the “Coverage” section in Google Search Console, find the unindexed page you’ve been working on, and click on it. You’ll see an option to “Request Indexing.” Click that button, sit back, and wait for Google to do its thing.

Step 6: Monitor Your Pages (Because SEO Is a Never-Ending Battle)

Congratulations! You’ve successfully requested indexing for your page. But wait to pop the champagne. SEO is an ongoing process, and you need to stay on top of your site’s performance to maintain your rankings.

After you’ve requested indexing, monitor your page in Google Search Console. Review your changes to see if they need to be indexed after a week or two. Did you miss something? Could you do more to improve the content, internal linking, or technical setup? SEO is all about constant iteration and improvement, so don’t be afraid to go back and make further tweaks if necessary.

Why Every Page Matters: The Importance of Getting ALL Your Pages Indexed

Alright, let’s talk about the big picture here. Why is it crucial to get every page on your site indexed by Google? The short answer: Because every page represents an opportunity.

Every page on your site is a potential traffic source. Whether it’s a blog post, a product page, or an about page, each one has the potential to rank for relevant keywords, attract visitors, and drive conversions. The more pages you indexed, the more opportunities you have to rank in search results and increase organic traffic.

But it’s not just about quantity—it’s about quality. Every page on your site should work for you, contributing to your overall SEO strategy. If you’ve got unindexed pages, you leave money on the table. You’ve already done the hard work of creating content, so why let it go to waste by not getting it indexed?

In Conclusion: You’re Welcome (Now Go Fix Your Site)

There you have it—the ultimate guide to fixing the “Crawled – Currently not indexed” error. I’ve given you everything you need to know, from why this error happens to how to fix it step by step. So what are you waiting for? Get out there, implement these changes, and start getting your pages indexed.

And remember, SEO is a never-ending process. Your work must still be completed even if you’ve fixed this issue. You must stay on top of your site’s performance, constantly improving your content, internal linking, and technical setup. If you do that, I promise you’ll see results.

And when you do, you can thank me later.

Why is “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” happening to my website?

The “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue can occur for various reasons. One of the most common causes is low-quality content. If Google’s algorithms deem your content thin, lacking depth, or useless to users, it may choose to avoid indexing the page. Another reason could be that your page needs to be correctly linked internally. Pages isolated without internal solid links may be crawled but often left out of the index. Technical issues also play a significant role, such as misconfigured robots.txt files or incorrect meta tags that prevent indexing.
Additionally, duplicate content or pages with little original value can trigger the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status. Sometimes, Google needs more time to process and assess the page. It could also be a case of Google prioritizing other pages to index first. Whatever the reason, resolving “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” is essential if you want your page to show up in search results.

Does “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” mean my page is bad?

Not necessarily, but “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” indicates that Google doesn’t see enough value in your page to include it in its search index. This doesn’t automatically mean your content could be better, but it could mean that improvements are needed. The issue could stem from thin content, lack of originality, or simply that your page is too similar to others already indexed by Google. It could also mean that your page needs internal links, making it easier for Google to understand its importance within your website. Sometimes, “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” happens because of technical problems, such as a wrongly placed “noindex” tag or a blocked robots.txt file.
Additionally, Google may take longer to index certain pages if they are new or if the search engine is processing a large volume of content. It’s important to investigate why your page is marked as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” and address any issues you find. Taking the time to optimize your page could result in Google deciding to index it in the future.

Does “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” affect my overall SEO performance?

The “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue can significantly affect your overall SEO performance. When your pages aren’t indexed, they won’t appear in Google’s search results and won’t drive any organic traffic to your site. This limits your ability to rank for the keywords you’re targeting and can hinder your site’s growth. The more pages that remain “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed,” the more invisible your site becomes in the eyes of Google. Over time, this can negatively impact your website’s authority and relevance in search engines, especially if you have many unindexed pages.
Additionally, if critical pages such as product listings, service pages, or high-value blog posts still need to be indexed, you’re missing out on potential conversions and engagement from users who could benefit from that content. The good news is that addressing the root causes of “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” can improve your overall SEO performance. Once indexed, those pages can begin contributing to your site’s visibility and rankings.

Can duplicate content cause “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

Yes, duplicate content is a significant factor that can cause the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue. Google prefers to index unique, valuable content that adds something new to the internet. If your page’s content is too similar or identical to other pages on your site or across the web, Google may decide it’s not worth indexing. This is because Google wants to keep its index manageable with repetitive content that doesn’t enhance the user’s search experience. Duplicate content can happen unintentionally, such as when you have multiple pages targeting the same topic or product. It can also result from poor content management, where the exact text is reused across different pages. In these cases, Google might crawl your page but choose not to index it, deeming it redundant. To avoid this, ensure each page on your site has unique, high-quality content. Addressing duplicate content issues can help resolve the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status and increase the chances of your page being indexed.

Should I be concerned if multiple pages on my site show “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

You should be concerned if multiple pages on your site show “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed.” When only one page has this status, it might be an isolated issue, but if several pages are being skipped by Google, it indicates a more significant problem with your site’s content or technical setup. This could be a sign that your content quality across the board needs to meet Google’s standards or that your site’s structure is making it difficult for Google to properly assess and index your pages. The more unindexed pages, the less visibility your site will have in search results, directly impacting your traffic and SEO performance. Multiple unindexed pages could also signal a technical SEO issue, such as improper use of robots.txt files, meta tags, or server errors affecting Google’s ability to crawl and index your site efficiently. Conducting a comprehensive audit of your content and technical setup is essential to resolve the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue across multiple pages.

Can a poor user experience cause “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

Poor user experience can contribute to the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” problem. Google’s algorithms consider user experience when deciding whether to index a page. Pages that are slow to load, difficult to navigate, or not mobile-friendly may be crawled but not indexed because Google perceives them as offering a subpar experience to users. For example, if your page takes too long to load, Google’s bots might give up on fully crawling it, leading to it being skipped in the indexing process. Similarly, cluttered, confusing pages or with poor design elements might be deemed less valuable, resulting in a “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status. Improving your site’s user experience—optimizing loading speeds, ensuring mobile usability, and creating a clean, intuitive design—can help resolve this issue. When users can easily access and engage with your content, Google is more likely to index it, giving your page the visibility it needs in search results.

Can submitting my page through Google Search Console help with “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

Submitting your page through Google Search Console can help resolve the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue. When you manually request indexing through Google Search Console, you’re prompting Google to revisit the page and reevaluate it for inclusion in the search index. This can be particularly useful if you’ve recently made improvements to the page, such as enhancing the content, fixing technical issues, or adding internal links. However, remember that submitting your page through the Search Console does not guarantee that it will be indexed. If the underlying issues that caused the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status remain, Google may still decide not to index the page. That’s why it’s essential to address those issues before requesting indexing. Submitting the page is a way to ensure that Google takes another look, and it can be an effective tool in getting the page indexed after making necessary improvements.

What is the impact of a “noindex” tag on “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

The presence of a “noindex” tag is a direct cause of the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue. The “noindex” tag tells Google not to include a particular page in its search index, even if it is crawled. This tag is typically used intentionally when site owners want to keep certain pages out of search results, such as thank-you pages, duplicate content, or low-value pages. However, if you mistakenly add a “noindex” tag to a page you want to be indexed, Google will follow the directive and exclude the page from the index. Removing the “noindex” tag is the first step toward resolving that page’s “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue. After removing the tag, you can request indexing through Google Search Console to ensure that Google re-crawls and indexes the page. It’s essential to carefully manage your use of the “noindex” tag to avoid unintentionally blocking pages you want to rank in search results.

Can a newly published page show “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

Yes, it’s common for newly published pages to initially show “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed.” When you publish new content, Google may crawl it relatively quickly but choose not to index it immediately. This can happen for several reasons, such as Google taking time to assess the page’s quality, relevance, and how it fits into the larger context of your website. Sometimes, Google must prioritize indexing other pages, so your new page gets placed in a temporary holding pattern. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your page, but it indicates that Google is still evaluating it. If you’ve recently published a page and see this status, it’s a good idea to monitor the page and give it some time. However, if the page remains unindexed after a few weeks, you should revisit the content, internal links, and technical setup to ensure everything is optimized. Requesting indexing through Google Search Console can also help speed up the process for new pages.

How does content freshness impact “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”?

Content freshness can significantly impact the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status of your pages. When deciding what to index, Google prioritizes fresh, up-to-date content, especially in fast-moving niches like news, technology, and trends. If your page contains outdated or stale information, Google may crawl it but choose to avoid indexing it because it’s no longer relevant to users’ current needs. Regularly updating your content with new insights, data, and developments can improve your chances of getting indexed. Fresh content signals to Google that your site is active and provides current, helpful information to users. If you see the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” message on older pages, consider revisiting them to add more recent information or give them a facelift. Keeping your content fresh improves your chances of getting indexed and keeps users coming back for more, which can enhance your overall SEO performance.