Google Indexing

Google indexing is the critical process of adding web pages to Google's searchable database so they can appear in search results. Proper indexing is essential for driving organic traffic to a website.

Google Indexing
Photo by Farhat Altaf / Unsplash

What is Google Indexing?

Google indexing is the process of adding websites and web pages to Google's search index, which is the database that Google uses to power its search engine. Here are the key points:

Google's web crawlers, called Googlebot, discover and crawl websites on the internet. During the crawling process, Googlebot analyzes the content and structure of each page.

The pages that Googlebot crawls are then indexed, meaning the content and metadata of the pages are stored in Google's search index database. This allows Google to quickly retrieve and display relevant pages when a user searches on Google.

For a page to appear in Google's search results, it must first be indexed. If a page is not indexed, it will not show up in Google searches.

Why Google Indexing?

  • For a page to appear in Google's search results, it must first be indexed. If a page is not indexed, it will not show up in Google searches, meaning it will not receive any organic traffic from Google.
  • Indexing is a crucial process that allows Google to quickly retrieve and display relevant pages when a user searches. The indexed pages and their content are stored in Google's search index database.
  • Without proper indexing, search engines would have no structured way to find and present information to users. Indexing enables the core functionality of search engines.
  • For website owners, getting pages indexed by Google is essential for driving organic traffic and visibility in search results. Improving indexing is a key part of search engine optimization (SEO).

Is Google indexing automatic?

  • No, Google indexing is not fully automatic. While Google's web crawlers (Googlebot) continuously discover and crawl websites, the actual indexing process involves several steps that are not automatic.
  • When Googlebot crawls a website, it analyzes the content and structure of each page. Pages that meet Google's indexing criteria are then added to Google's search index database.
  • However, the timing and decision of when to index a page is ultimately determined by Google's algorithms, not an automatic process. There are many factors that can affect whether and when a page gets indexed.
How to Get Your Website Indexed by Google
Learn more about the Google index and how to ensure your website gets indexed by the search engine.

Is Google Indexing free? How long does Google Indexing take?

Google indexing is free for website owners. However, the process of getting pages indexed can take some time:

  • Google's web crawlers, called Googlebot, continuously discover and crawl websites on the internet. This crawling process is free for all websites.
  • During the crawling process, Googlebot analyzes the content and structure of each page. Pages that meet Google's indexing criteria are then added to Google's search index database.
  • For a page to appear in Google's search results, it must first be indexed. If a page is not indexed, it will not show up in Google searches.
  • The actual timing of when a page gets indexed is ultimately up to Google's algorithms. It can take a few days or weeks before Google crawls and indexes a new page or website.
  • Resubmitting indexing requests or sitemaps won't speed up Google's response time. The best approach is to submit your sitemap or URL and then focus on creating high-quality content and improving your website.
  • Using a free Google indexing tool can help notify Google about new content and get pages indexed faster. These tools submit URLs in batches to Google's Indexing API.

While Google indexing itself is free, the time it takes for Google to discover, crawl, and index a page can vary. Using a free indexing tool can help expedite the process, but patience is still required as Google's algorithms determine the final indexing timeline.

How long does it take for Google to index pages
The time it takes for Google to index a new page can vary significantly, ranging from several hours to several weeks. With Indexly, you can get indexed within 24-48 hours.

How to Improve Google Indexing? What are Google Indexing Tools?

1. Create and Submit an XML Sitemap

An XML sitemap helps Google discover and index all the pages on your website. Submit your sitemap through Google Search Console to make it easier for Googlebot to crawl your site.

2. Optimize Page Titles and Descriptions

Ensure your page titles and meta descriptions are concise, and compelling and include relevant keywords. This helps Google understand your content and display it properly in search results.

3. Improve Internal Linking

Adding internal links between your web pages makes it easier for Google to crawl and index your full site. Link to important pages from your homepage and other high-traffic pages.

4. Remove Noindex Tags

Check that you don't have any "noindex" tags on your pages, which tell Google not to index that content. Remove these if you want a page to be indexed.

Top Google Indexing Tools

1. Google Search Console

Google's free webmaster tool allows you to submit sitemaps, check indexing status, and identify crawl issues on your site.

2. Paid Indexing tools

Tools like Indexly offer paid plans by using Google's Indexing API for faster indexing. Features like Auto indexing, Instant indexing, and bulk indexing. It also provides website monitoring for the status of pages being indexed by Google.

How to Setup Auto Indexing on Google
Setup Auto Indexing on Google with Indexly. Get Your Website Crawled Immediately by Google, and appear in the search engines when you publish a new page or a post.

3. WordPress Indexing Plugins

Plugins like Yoast SEO make it easy to create and submit XML sitemaps from within your WordPress dashboard.


Supercharge your SEO with Indexly

It usually takes a few weeks for Googlebot to crawl and index your website's pages. However, Indexly can simplify this process by automatically checking your sitemaps, finding new pages, and submitting them to Google Search Console.

This reduces human effort and errors and significantly reduces the time it takes to get indexed. When your website's pages are indexed, they rank higher on search engines, ultimately boosting organic traffic.