Getting your website indexed on Google is crucial for visibility and organic traffic. However, there may be times when you need to reindex your site, whether due to content updates, technical issues, or a site migration. If Google is not indexing your pages or is slow in doing so, taking proactive steps can help accelerate the process.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to reindex website google, including why it matters, common reasons for deindexing, and actionable steps to ensure Google crawls and indexes your content quickly.
What Does Google Indexing Mean?
Indexing refers to Google’s process of analyzing and storing web pages in its database so they can appear in search results. When a page is indexed, it means Google has added it to its vast library and can retrieve it when relevant search queries are made.
Why Would You Need to Reindex a Website?
Several factors can necessitate reindexing, including:
- New or Updated Content: If you’ve added fresh content or updated existing pages, you want Google to recognize the changes quickly.
- Website Migration: Moving from one domain to another or changing URL structures can cause indexing issues.
- Technical SEO Issues: Incorrect robots.txt, meta noindex tags, or poor site structure can prevent Google from indexing your pages.
- Penalty Recovery: If Google previously penalized your site and you’ve resolved the issues, reindexing helps regain lost rankings.
- Slow Indexing: If Google is taking too long to index your pages, manual submission can speed up the process.
- Accidental Deindexing: Sometimes, misconfigurations can remove pages from Google’s index unintentionally.
How to Check if Your Website is Indexed?
Before you reindex your site, it’s essential to check if Google has already indexed your pages. Here’s how:
1. Use Google Search Operator
Type the following in Google’s search bar:
site:yourwebsite.com
This will show all indexed pages from your website.
2. Check Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) provides insights into your indexed pages. Follow these steps:
- Go to Google Search Console.
- Navigate to Indexing > Pages.
- See which pages are indexed and which are not.
If some pages are missing from Google’s index, follow the steps below to reindex them.
How to Get Google to Reindex Your Website?
1. Request Indexing in Google Search Console
Google Search Console allows you to manually request indexing. Here’s how:
- Log into Google Search Console.
- Go to the URL Inspection Tool.
- Enter the URL you want to index.
- Click Request Indexing.
This method works best for individual pages and newly updated content.
2. Submit an Updated Sitemap
A sitemap helps Google understand your site structure and find pages efficiently.
- Generate a sitemap using tools like Yoast SEO (for WordPress), Screaming Frog, or XML-sitemaps.com.
- Upload it to the root directory of your website (e.g., yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml).
- Submit it in Google Search Console under Sitemaps.
3. Fix Crawl Errors in Google Search Console
If Google encounters crawl errors, your pages may not be indexed. To fix:
- Go to Google Search Console > Indexing > Pages.
- Check for errors such as 404s, blocked resources, or server errors.
- Resolve these issues and request reindexing.
4. Improve Internal Linking
Googlebot follows internal links to discover new content. Strengthen your internal linking strategy:
- Link to important pages from your homepage.
- Use contextual links within blog posts and landing pages.
- Ensure orphan pages (pages without internal links) are linked somewhere on your site.
5. Use the “Ping Google” Method
Google provides a simple way to notify them about sitemap updates:
http://www.google.com/ping?sitemap=https://yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml
Visit this URL in your browser to notify Google about changes.
6. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Google prioritizes crawling and indexing pages that have strong backlinks. Try:
- Guest posting on reputable websites.
- Getting featured in industry directories.
- Earning links from social media, forums, and news sites.
7. Share on Social Media
Social signals can indirectly influence indexing speed. Share new or updated pages on:
- Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit.
- Google’s indexing-friendly platforms like Blogger and Medium.
8. Optimize Robots.txt & Meta Tags
Check your robots.txt file and meta robots tags to ensure they’re not blocking Google.
- Go to yourwebsite.com/robots.txt.
- Ensure important pages are not listed under Disallow: /.
- Check individual pages for <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”> and remove it where necessary.
9. Speed Up Your Website
Slow websites can delay indexing. Improve performance by:
- Compressing images using TinyPNG or ShortPixel.
- Enabling browser caching and a CDN.
- Optimizing code and minimizing HTTP requests.
10. Monitor Indexing Progress
After implementing the above strategies, monitor your progress in Google Search Console.
- Check Indexing > Pages regularly.
- Re-request indexing for critical pages if necessary.
How Long Does It Take for Google to Reindex a Site?
Google’s indexing time varies based on several factors:
- Small updates: A few hours to a few days.
- New pages: A few days to a couple of weeks.
- Major website changes: A few weeks to months.
Using Google Search Console’s Request Indexing can sometimes speed up the process significantly.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring your website is indexed properly on Google is crucial for SEO success. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can proactively manage how Google indexes your site, fix potential indexing issues, and improve your organic search visibility.
Regularly monitor your Google Search Console, optimize your site’s technical SEO, and leverage internal linking and backlinks to ensure your pages get indexed quickly and efficiently.
If you’re still facing issues with indexing, consider reaching out to an SEO expert or using Google’s Help Community for additional guidance. The more proactive you are, the better your chances of maintaining a strong online presence!