Introduction
What Is a Non Indexed Page?, When we browse the internet, we come across billions of web pages, but did you know that not all of them are indexed? Some pages, intentionally or unintentionally, remain non-indexed. In simple terms, a non-indexed page is one that search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo don’t include in their searchable index. This means that if you search for content on these pages, they won’t appear in the search engine results.
Why Does Indexing Matter?
To better understand non-indexed pages, let’s first explore why indexing matters. Imagine the web as a gigantic library with millions of books. In a well-organized library, books are cataloged, making it easy to find a specific title. Search engines do something similar when they index a webpage: they catalog and organize the page so people can easily find it.
If a page is non-indexed, it’s like a book that’s been left on a shelf but never recorded in the library’s system. No matter how hard you search for it, you won’t find it unless you already know its exact location.
What Makes a Page Non-Indexed?
There are many reasons why a page might be non-indexed, and it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it’s intentional; other times, it’s an oversight. Here are some common reasons:
1. Noindex Tags
A page can be intentionally kept out of search engine results by adding a noindex tag to its HTML code. Website owners may use this when they don’t want certain pages—like privacy policies, login screens, or internal tools—appearing in search engines.
2. Robots.txt File
Websites use a robots.txt file to give instructions to search engines on what to crawl and index. If a page is disallowed in the robots.txt file, search engines will avoid it. Think of it as a “Do Not Disturb” sign for web crawlers.
3. Duplicate Content
If your site has duplicate content, search engines might decide to only index one version of the page, leaving the others non-indexed. This helps prevent cluttering of search results with the same content.
4. Thin or Low-Quality Content
Pages that have thin content—very little text or information—might not get indexed because search engines prefer to show users more valuable and substantial content.
5. Page Not Linked
If a page is orphaned—meaning no other pages link to it—search engines might not discover it. Without links from other indexed pages, it remains hidden.
6. New Pages or Unoptimized Content
Sometimes pages simply haven’t been indexed yet because they are new or haven’t been properly optimized. It can take time for search engines to crawl and process them.
How to Check if a Page is Indexed?
Now that you know what non-indexed pages are, how do you check whether your page is indexed or not?
Step 1: Use a “site:” Search
An easy way to check if a page is indexed is by using Google’s “site:” search. For example, if your webpage is www.example.com/mypage, type site:www.example.com/mypage into Google. If the page is indexed, it will show up in the results.
Step 2: Use Google Search Console
For a more in-depth view, you can use Google Search Console. This tool allows you to see which of your pages are indexed, which aren’t, and if there are any issues preventing them from being indexed. If your page is not indexed and you want it to be, you can request Google to index it right from the tool.
Why Would You Want a Page to be Non-Indexed?
You might be thinking, “Why would anyone want their page to be non-indexed?” There are actually several reasons for this. For instance, some pages may not provide valuable content to users, such as:
- Thank you pages: After a user makes a purchase or fills out a form, they are often directed to a thank you page. You don’t need this showing up in search results because it’s only relevant to people who’ve completed the action.
- Internal Search Results Pages: Some websites allow users to search within the site. Internal search results pages are generally not useful for search engine results and can clutter the user experience.
- Development or Testing Pages: When working on new features, developers may have testing pages that they don’t want users (or search engines) to see.
By using a noindex tag, you can keep these pages hidden from search engines, ensuring that only valuable pages appear in search results.
When Non-Indexed Pages Can Be a Problem
While non-indexed pages can be useful, they can also pose problems if done unintentionally. For instance:
- Important Content Not Reaching Audience: If you have crucial content that’s not being indexed, it will never reach potential readers or customers through search engines.
- SEO Issues: Unintentional non-indexing can affect your SEO strategy. Search engines can’t rank what they can’t index, meaning missed opportunities for driving organic traffic.
Example: A Missed Opportunity
Imagine you run an online shop selling customized T-shirts. You’ve just created a blog post on “How to Choose the Perfect Customized T-Shirt”, filled with tips and examples. Unfortunately, this page wasn’t indexed because of an incorrect noindex tag. Months pass, and while your competitors’ posts on similar topics drive traffic, yours remains invisible in search results.
How to Fix Non-Indexed Pages?
If you discover that a page is unintentionally non-indexed, don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get it back on track:
Step 1: Remove Noindex Tags
Check the page’s HTML to see if a noindex tag is preventing it from being indexed. If so, simply remove it.
Step 2: Update Robots.txt
Ensure that your robots.txt file isn’t blocking the page. This is an easy fix and can be done through most content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Joomla.
Step 3: Submit the Page to Google
Once you’ve removed any obstacles, head over to Google Search Console and request re-indexing. This will prompt Google to crawl the page again.
Step 4: Optimize for SEO
Lastly, make sure your page is properly optimized with semantic SEO keywords, meta descriptions, and good-quality content to make it more attractive for indexing.
Conclusion
A non-indexed page can either be a tool in your SEO strategy or a hidden problem. By understanding how indexing works and knowing when and how to make pages non-indexed, you can ensure your website is structured for success. If you want certain pages to rank, make sure they are visible to search engines; but if you have pages that don’t need public exposure, keep them non-indexed to avoid unnecessary clutter in search results.
