The ‘NoIndex’ error in Google Search Console can be a frustrating obstacle for website owners aiming to enhance their online visibility. When a URL is marked as ‘NoIndex’, it signals to search engines that the page should not be included in their index, which can impact your site’s performance in search results. In this guide, we’ll provide a straightforward approach to troubleshoot and resolve this error effectively, ensuring your important pages are indexed as intended.
Understanding the ‘NoIndex’ Error
When a URL is marked as ‘NoIndex’, it typically means that the page, while included in your sitemap, contains a directive that instructs search engines not to index it. This situation can waste valuable opportunities for website indexing space, as search engines only crawl a limited number of pages at a time. Therefore, addressing ‘NoIndex’ errors is crucial, even for pages you may not want indexed.
Step 1: Verify the ‘NoIndex’ Meta Tag
To start troubleshooting, you need to identify if the ‘NoIndex’ meta tag is present on the page in question. Here’s how you can check:
- Open the page in your browser.
- Right-click and select "View Page Source" or press
CTRL + U(Windows/Linux) orCommand + U(Mac). - Use the search function (
CTRL + ForCommand + F) to look for<meta name="robots" content="noindex">.
If you find this tag, it confirms that the page is marked as ‘NoIndex’.
Step 2: Configuring Settings for Pages You Want Indexed
If you determine that the page should be indexed, follow these steps to rectify the issue:
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Check the Default ‘NoIndex’ Setting:
- Access your WordPress admin dashboard.
- Navigate to Rank Math and then to Titles & Meta settings.
- Ensure that the ‘Index’ option is selected instead of ‘NoIndex’ for that specific post type. Certain page types, such as miscellaneous pages and author archive pages, may be suitable for ‘NoIndex’, but most content pages should be indexable.
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Review WordPress Reading Settings:
- Go to Settings > Reading in the WordPress sidebar.
- Make sure the “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” option is unchecked.
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Edit the Individual Page:
- Open the page in the WordPress editor.
- Access the Rank Math Metabox for SEO settings.
- Under the Robots Meta options, ensure the ‘NoIndex’ checkbox is not selected. Instead, check the ‘Index’ box and update the page.
Step 3: Expedite Indexing (Optional)
If you want immediate indexing for the page, consider using an Instant Indexing plugin. If you prefer a regular approach, Google will likely index your page within a few weeks if it’s included in your sitemap.
Step 4: Handling Pages Not Meant for Indexing
If the page should remain ‘NoIndex’, ensure it is excluded from your sitemap:
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Access Your Sitemap:
- Verify if Google can access your sitemap. If you use a specific plugin for sitemaps, check through its settings.
- For Rank Math users, confirm that the Sitemap module is active.
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Resolving Sitemap Issues:
- If your sitemap is returning a 404 error, adjust the “Links per Sitemap” settings and re-save your permalink settings in WordPress.
- Ensure that your caching plugin is not interfering with your sitemap by caching outdated versions.
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Resubmit Your Sitemap:
- Go to Google Search Console.
- Click on Sitemaps on the left panel: delete and resubmit your sitemap by inputting
sitemap_index.xml.
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Ping Search Engines:
- In Rank Math’s Sitemap Settings, ensure the "Ping Search Engines" option is enabled. This notifies Google of updates in real-time.
Conclusion
Resolving ‘NoIndex’ errors is vital for optimizing your website’s visibility on search engines. By following the outlined steps—verifying meta tags, adjusting configurations, and appropriately managing your sitemap—you can effectively troubleshoot and resubmit your URLs for indexing. Regular monitoring through tools like Google Search Console will keep your site’s online presence healthy. For any lingering questions or support, utilizing the resources available via your SEO tool’s knowledge base can provide additional assistance.
