Fixing “Crawled-currently not indexed” Pages in GSC

If your website has indexing problems, you’re in good company. Many webmasters see the “Crawled-currently not indexed” status in Google Search Console (GSC). This means Google has visited your pages but won’t show them in search results. This “Fixing “Crawled-currently not indexed” Pages in GSC” post will help you understand and solve this SEO problem. We’ll examine why Google might not index some pages and share ways to make your site more visible. By fixing these issues, you can make your site better and more likely to appear in search results.

Knowing about the “Crawled-currently not indexed” status is key for good SEO. This status means Google has crawled your pages, but they’re not good enough for indexing. Problems like thin content, duplicate information, or technical issues can cause this. Finding and fixing these problems can improve your site and attract more visitors.

Understanding the “Crawled-currently not indexed” Status

Google indexing is key to being seen online. Seeing “Crawled-currently not indexed” in Google Search Console means Google has checked your page but won’t show it in search results. This can hurt your website’s ranking if it affects more than 5% of your pages.

Definition and implications

The “crawled-currently not indexed” status hints at content quality or relevance problems. Pages with this status might see a drop in rankings and visitors. Fixing these issues quickly is crucial to keeping your site visible online.

Why Google might choose not to index a crawled page

Several reasons can cause pages to be “crawled-currently not indexed“:

• Poor content quality or thin content
• Duplicate or AI-generated content
• Spammy content
• Inadequate internal linking and site structure
• Crawl budget issues
• Technical SEO problems (e.g., poor user experience, soft 404 errors)

Difference between “Crawled-currently not indexed” and “Discovered-currently not indexed”

Both statuses show indexing problems, but “Discovered-currently not indexed” is worse. This means that Google knows about the URL but hasn’t crawled it yet.

Identifying Affected Pages in Google Search Console

Google Search Console has tools for finding pages with indexing problems. Start with the Page Indexing report to find “crawled-currently not indexed URLs.“ The Page Indexing report in Google Search Console provides website owners with valuable insights into which Google is indexing pages of their site and which are not. This report is essential for understanding the status of your website’s pages in Google’s index, enabling you to identify indexing issues and improve visibility in search results. The report shows the number of indexed and non-indexed pages, detailing specific reasons why certain pages might not be indexed, such as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed,” “Duplicate Without User-Selected Canonical,” and “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed.” By analyzing this data, website owners can address specific technical issues, optimize content, and make informed decisions to ensure key pages are visible in Google’s search results.

Additionally, the Page Indexing report offers historical data that can help track the progress of indexing efforts over time. This historical perspective is beneficial for monitoring the impact of site updates, structural changes, and SEO efforts on Google’s ability to crawl and index your content. The report also highlights whether your submitted sitemap matches the indexed pages, crucial for maintaining an efficient site architecture. With this information, webmasters can fine-tune their SEO strategies to resolve crawling and indexing issues, ultimately enhancing their website’s overall performance in search rankings.

Navigating to the Page Indexing Report

Log into your Google Search Console account. Then, find the “Indexing” section in the left menu. Click on “Pages” to see the Page Indexing report. This report shows how many URLs Google has crawled and indexed.

Locating “Crawled-currently not indexed” URLs

Look for the “Why pages aren’t indexed” in the report. Find the “Crawled-currently not indexed” category. Click on it to see the affected URLs. Note that over 5% of pages in this status can hurt your ranking.

Using the URL Inspection Tool for Detailed Insights

Use the URL Inspection tool for more details on specific URLs. It offers SEO diagnostics to understand why a page isn’t indexed. Once problems are fixed, you can request indexing.

Not all pages need to be indexed, especially duplicates or those lacking substantial information. Improve content quality and site structure to increase your chances of being indexed.

Common Causes of “Crawled-currently not indexed” Status

When your pages show “Crawled-currently not indexed” in Google Search Console, it means Googlebot has visited but not added them to the index. This status can come from many issues. These include content quality, website architecture, and technical SEO problems.

Poor content quality is a big reason. If your pages don’t offer new information or lack expertise, Google might not index them. Also, having duplicate content on your site can cause indexing issues.

Website architecture is also essential. URLs without links from other pages often face indexing problems. Good internal linking helps Google understand your site better.

Technical SEO issues can also block indexing. These include:

• Rendering difficulties due to JavaScript requirements
• Blocked CSS paths in the robots.txt file
• Changes in host server status, like during DDoS attacks
• Bot detection protocols interfering with crawling

Remember, just having great content isn’t enough. Core Web Vitals and mobile friendliness are now key for Google’s indexing. Fixing these common problems can help your pages index and appear in search results.

What to do When Google Search Console has “Crawled-currently not indexed” Pages

When you see “Crawled-currently not indexed” pages in Google Search Console, it’s time to act. This means Google has visited your pages but chose not to include them in search results. This can hurt your site’s visibility.

Something to also pay attention to is that there are also times when pages are in this category but are showing in Google. We frequently have clients who are concerned about this and find that the page is, in fact, showing in a search. The best way to confirm is to search the page in question using it’s exact “Title Tag” in your query. – Michael Hodgdon, SEO Expert

Step-by-step approach to addressing the issue

First, do a deep dive into SEO troubleshooting. Look for poor content, technical mistakes, or insufficient backlinks. Start by checking if your pages have unique, valuable content that Google likes.

Then, do a technical SEO audit to find and fix problems. Look for issues like robots.txt file errors, wrong canonical tags, or JavaScript problems. Fix these to help Google crawl and index your site better. WEBCEO, and SEMRush are excellent tools for auditing your website and content.

Prioritizing pages for troubleshooting

Focus on your most critical pages first. These are likely your high-traffic landing pages, key product pages, or valuable content. Choose pages based on their importance for your site’s performance and user experience.

Implementing fixes systematically

Fix indexing problems step by step:

1. Make your content better and more relevant
2. Improve your internal linking structure
3. Fix any technical SEO issues
4. Get high-quality backlinks to increase trust
5. Ask Google to re-index your updated pages through the Search Console

Google loves content with strong backlinks, so build a good backlink profile. Along with on-page optimization, this can boost your site’s visibility and rankings on Google.

Improving Content Quality to Boost Indexing Chances

Improving content quality is essential for boosting the chances of indexing because Google prioritizes well-written, valuable, and relevant content in its search results. High-quality content engages users and signals to Google’s algorithms that the page is worthy of indexing and ranking. When content is comprehensive, original, and provides valuable insights, it’s more likely to be recognized as useful to searchers, which increases the likelihood of it being indexed promptly. High-quality content attracts more backlinks, user engagement, and shares, enhancing its visibility in search engines. By delivering top-notch content that meets user intent and adheres to SEO best practices, website owners can improve their site’s chances of being indexed and ultimately achieve better rankings in search results.

For those looking to understand with great accuracy what Google considers quality content, the “Search Quality Rater Guidelines: An Overview (google.com)” handbook offers the exact specifications. Our SEO Specialists have all read it many times; it is very beneficial.

Assessing content value and relevance

Check if your content meets user needs. Use Google Analytics to see how people interact with your site. Ensure your content offers something new, answers questions, or solves problems.

Here’s a brief list of Google Analytics reports that can help assess content value and relevance:

1. Landing Pages Report: This report Shows which pages users enter your site through, revealing which content drives the most traffic.
2. Behavior Flow Report: This report visualizes user paths through the site, indicating how engaging your content is and where drop-offs occur.
3. Engagement Metrics (Bounce Rate, Average Session Duration, Pages per Session) – Assesses how long users stay on a page, suggesting the content’s appeal and relevance.
4. Exit Pages Report – Identifies where users are leaving, helping pinpoint content needing improvement.
5. Top Content Report – Displays the most visited pages, highlighting which content resonates best with your audience.
6. Conversion Goals Report: This report shows how well content drives desired actions, like sign-ups or purchases, linking content directly to business objectives.
7. Site Search Report: This report reveals what users search for on your site, providing insight into content gaps and user interests.

These reports together give a comprehensive view of how well your content meets user expectations and supports business goals.

Enhancing user experience and engagement

Enhancing user experience and engagement is crucial for effective SEO, as search engines prioritize websites that offer seamless, valuable interactions. A positive user experience improves on-site behavior metrics—like bounce rate, time on page, and pages per session—and builds trust and encourages repeat visits. By optimizing for user experience, you can boost engagement, enabling users to explore more of your content and complete desired actions. This, in turn, signals to search engines that your site is relevant and valuable, which can contribute to better search rankings. Here are some key strategies for enhancing user experience and engagement:

1. Improve Page Load Speed – Faster pages reduce bounce rates and improve user satisfaction.
2. Optimize for Mobile – Ensure your site is mobile-friendly to accommodate users on all devices.
3. Use Clear Navigation – Easy-to-navigate menus help users find information quickly and efficiently.
4. Create Engaging Content – High-quality, relevant content keeps users interested and encourages sharing.
5. Use Visuals and Multimedia – Images, videos, and infographics make content more appealing and digestible.
6. Ensure Accessibility– Follow accessibility guidelines to Make your site accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
7. Implement Internal Linking – Link to other relevant pages to keep users on your site longer and improve page views per session.
8. Add Interactive Elements – Quizzes, polls, and comment sections can encourage user interaction and increase engagement.
9. Optimize Calls-to-Action (CTAs) – Clear, compelling CTAs guide users toward desired actions, boosting conversions.

These strategies contribute to a more engaging and satisfying experience, which can improve SEO performance and increase user retention.

Addressing thin content issues

Thin content can hurt your chances of getting indexed. Add more depth and value to your pages. Use SEO techniques to make your content better without losing quality.

Improving your content quality can boost your site’s chances of being indexed and ranked well.

Optimizing Website Architecture and Internal Linking

A well-structured website is crucial for better crawlability and indexing. Your site’s structure is like a map for search engines, helping them find your content easily. You tell Google which pages are most important by focusing on navigation and internal links.

Begin by organizing your pages into clear categories and subcategories. A well-organized site helps users find what they need and makes it easier for search engines to understand your content’s connections.

Internal Linking

Internal linking is a crucial tool for better site crawlability. By linking related pages, you create paths for users and search engines to explore your site. This practice helps spread link value and can increase the visibility of critical pages.

Here are some tips for effective internal linking:

• Use descriptive anchor text for your links
• Link from high-authority pages to important content
• Create a balanced link structure across your site
• Avoid excessive links on a single page

Website Architecture

Optimizing your website’s architecture and internal linking can improve crawlability and indexing. This approach helps search engines understand your content and improves the user experience, leading to better search rankings and visibility. Remember, a well-organized website with a clear structure, navigable menus, and strategic internal links boosts crawling and indexing efficiency. By using these strategies, you’re preparing your site for better performance in search results and a smoother user experience.

Addressing Duplicate Content Issues

Google considers duplicate content to be substantial blocks of content that appear on multiple pages, either within the same website or across different websites. This can include identical or very similar text, images, or metadata on various URLs. While not necessarily a penalty, duplicate content can impact SEO by confusing search engines when they try to decide which version of the content is most relevant for a specific search query. As a result, duplicate content can dilute the visibility of each version, potentially reducing a site’s search rankings and traffic. To avoid these issues, Google encourages website owners to use canonical tags, 301 redirects, and unique, original content for each page. This ensures that search engines can quickly identify and rank the primary source accordingly.

Identifying duplicate or near-duplicate pages

First, check your Google Search Console reports for pages marked as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed.” Look for patterns in URLs or similar content. Product pages with small changes are often the cause of duplicate content, which can be fixed by writing additional quality content on the appropriate pages.

Implementing canonical tags effectively

A canonical tag is an HTML element that tells search engines which version of a webpage is the “master” or preferred, helping avoid duplicate content issues. Implementing a canonical tag on a webpage is straightforward and can significantly improve SEO by consolidating ranking signals to the selected page. Here’s how to do it:

1. Identify the Preferred URL: Determine the URL you want search engines to recognize as the primary or original version of the content. This is often the page you expect users to land on.
2. Add the Canonical Tag in the HTML Header: In the HTML code of the non-preferred (or duplicate) pages, add a <link> tag with the rel="canonical" attribute. This tag should go within the <head> section of the page’s HTML code.
3. Here’s what the code looks like in HTML
   • <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.example.com/preferred-page-url/">
4. Use Absolute URLs: Ensure that the URL in the href attribute is the complete, absolute URL, including the https:// or http:// prefix. This helps avoid confusion for search engines and ensures proper consolidation.
5. Check and Test: After adding the canonical tag, check the page’s source code to confirm the tag is correctly implemented. You can also use tools like Google Search Console or SEO browser extensions to verify the tag works as intended.

By implementing a canonical tag, you signal to search engines which page version should be prioritized in search results. This helps consolidate ranking signals and improve the visibility of the preferred page.

Consolidating or differentiating similar content

If you find near-duplicate pages, you can choose to merge them or make them unique. For merged content, use 301 redirects to point to the main page. If you keep separate pages, ensure each offers something unique to users and search engines.

Google likes original, valuable content. Fixing duplicate content issues solves a technical problem and boosts your site’s quality. This can lead to better indexing and ranking.

Leveraging XML Sitemaps for Better Indexing

XML sitemaps are key to better site crawling and Google indexing. They help search engines understand your site’s layout. A well-made XML sitemap is like a map for search engines. It shows them where to find your important pages. This is very helpful for big sites or those with lots of pages. Make sure to include all the URLs you want indexed in your sitemap.

For big sites, consider creating different sitemaps for different types of content. This will help search engines find what they need. Also, update your sitemap often to keep it accurate.

Optimizing Your XML Sitemap

To make your XML sitemap work best:

• Make sure all URLs are real and lead to pages that can be reached
• Don’t include URLs you don’t want indexed, like duplicates or low-quality pages
• Only include the canonical version of each page to avoid confusion
• Follow the correct format and rules for sitemaps

Using XML sitemaps well can help your site get crawled and indexed better by search engines¹⁶.

By following these tips for your XML sitemap, you can make your site more visible and improve its performance in search results.

Utilizing the URL Inspection Tool for Re-indexing Requests

The URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console is a key SEO tool. It helps manage your website’s indexing status, shows Google’s indexed version of a page, and lets you test URL indexability.

How to submit URLs for recrawling

Use the URL Inspection Tool to submit a URL for recrawling. Type the URL in the search bar or click the Inspect link next to a page URL in reports. After fixing any page issues, request indexing through this tool.

To submit URLs for recrawling in Google Search Console, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Google Search Console: Go to Google Search Console and sign in with your account.
2. Select Your Property: Choose the website property where you want to submit the URL for recrawling.
3. Use the URL Inspection Tool: In the left-hand menu, click “URL Inspection” and enter the URL you want Google to recrawl in the search bar. Press Enter to inspect the URL.
4. Request Indexing: After the inspection results appear, click the “Request Indexing” button. Google will begin adding the URL to its priority crawl queue.
5. Check Status: You’ll see a confirmation message indicating that the URL has been submitted. While it may take time for Google to recrawl the page, this step ensures that your changes are prioritized for re-indexing.

This process lets you notify Google of new or updated content, helping it appear in search results more quickly.

Understanding Google’s response to indexing requests

When you submit a URL, Google shares detailed indexability information. This includes if it’s eligible for Search results, any issues, or reasons for not being indexed.

Remember, submitting a URL doesn’t mean it will be indexed immediately. It gets placed in a priority crawl queue. Google might not index pages with machine-translated, AI-generated, or thin content.

Monitoring the status of submitted URLs

After submitting, you can check your URL’s status with the URL Inspection Tool. It shows if a URL is on Google, its Search results eligibility, and any appearance issues.

If your pages are still unindexed, try building more links or fixing UserAgent discrepancies. Also, check for server-side errors. Remember, it may take time for changes to show in Google’s index.

Fixing “Crawled-currently not indexed” Pages in GSC Conclusion

Addressing the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status in Google Search Console can significantly reward businesses by ensuring valuable content becomes visible in search results, attracting more organic traffic. When pages aren’t indexed, it’s as though they’re invisible to search engines, meaning customers can’t find them. By enhancing content quality, businesses can make these pages more appealing to Google, increasing their chances of being indexed and displayed to potential customers. Solutions like creating unique, informative content and resolving technical issues like slow loading times or crawl errors can help these pages stand out, enabling them to reach their intended audience and generate higher engagement.

Moreover, boosting internal linking and optimizing site structure can elevate a business’s web presence. By connecting “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” pages to other high-traffic pages on your site, you signal their importance to search engines, which can lead to quicker indexing and increased visibility. Submitting pages for re-crawling through Google Search Console also fast-tracks this process, making it easier for businesses to showcase updates or new content. These actions improve the likelihood of indexing and can drive better SEO performance, leading to higher rankings, increased organic reach, and more conversions from potential customers discovering your site.

Fixing “Crawled-currently not indexed” Pages in GSC FAQs