How to Fix “Discovered - Currently Not Indexed” in Google Search Console

Introduction

Facing the "Discovered - currently not indexed" status in Google Search Console (GSC) can be perplexing. It signifies that Google's crawlers are aware of your webpages but haven't processed them for indexing yet. This can be particularly frustrating for new or updated content that deserves search engine visibility. Fear not! This comprehensive guide empowers you to tackle this issue and ensure your valuable pages get indexed effectively.

Targeting the Right Audience

This guide is intended for website owners and SEO beginners who are encountering "Discovered - currently not indexed" errors in Google Search Console. It outlines a strategic approach to prompt Google to crawl and index your webpages, ultimately improving your website's search engine visibility.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing "Discovered - Currently Not Indexed"

1. Request Indexing in GSC: A Simple First Step

Before diving into complex SEO strategies, start with the most straightforward solution: requesting Google to index your page directly through GSC.

URL Inspection Tool: Within GSC, utilize the URL Inspection tool to delve into the current status of the specific webpage.
Request Indexing: If the page isn't indexed, you'll see an option to "Request Indexing." Click on this to prompt Google to crawl and potentially index the page.

2. Strengthen Your Internal Linking Architecture

Internal linking plays a dual role: it enhances website navigation for users and guides search engine crawlers to discover and index your pages effectively.

Unearthing Orphan Pages: Orphan pages, those lacking internal links from other parts of your website, are often overlooked by crawlers. Regularly check for such pages and ensure every crucial page is linked from at least one other relevant page on your site.
Leverage Relevant Anchor Text: Anchor text refers to the visible text used in a hyperlink. When linking to other pages on your website, employ relevant anchor text that reflects the content of the linked page. This not only aids user experience but also provides context to search engines, potentially improving indexing and ranking.

3. Ensure Your Sitemap is Up-to-Date and Accurate

Sitemaps act as a roadmap for search engines, guiding them towards the most important pages on your website. Here's how to leverage sitemaps effectively:

Sitemap Updates: Regularly update your sitemap to include new pages and submit it to GSC. This ensures that Google is aware of all the content you want to be indexed.
Sitemap Cleanliness: Maintain a clean sitemap by removing URLs that shouldn't be indexed, such as duplicate pages or pages with minimal SEO value. A streamlined sitemap helps search engines prioritize the most relevant content on your website.

4. Addressing Crawl Budget Constraints

For websites with a vast amount of content, Google might allocate a limited crawl budget, potentially neglecting certain pages. Here's how to optimize your crawl budget:

Prioritize Valuable Content: Focus on ensuring Google's crawl budget is spent on indexing your most important and valuable pages. Avoid wasting crawl budget on unimportant or duplicate content.
Boost Site Speed: Websites that load faster tend to be crawled more frequently by search engines. Optimizing page speed can indirectly improve your chances of getting pages indexed.

5. Prioritize High-Quality Content for Indexing

Search engines prioritize high-quality content that offers value to users. Focus on creating content that stands out:

Unique and Informative Content: Strive to create unique and valuable content that goes beyond what's already readily available online.
Combating Thin Content: Pages with minimal or no original content are often disregarded by search engines. If you have such pages, consider beefing them up with more informative and relevant content.

While not a direct indexing factor, garnering social media mentions and external links can influence indexing speed:

Social Media Sharing: Pages that are widely shared on social media platforms might receive faster indexing as these signals can attract search engine crawlers.
Building Backlinks: High-quality backlinks from reputable websites can significantly enhance your website's credibility and potentially expedite indexing.

Monitoring and Adapting Your Strategies

Once you've implemented these steps, keep a watchful eye on GSC to track changes in the indexing status of your webpages. If certain pages remain stuck in "Discovered - currently not indexed" status, a deeper analysis might be necessary to identify potential content or technical issues.

Conclusion: A Strategic Approach to Indexing Success (cont.)

Fixing the "Discovered - currently not indexed" issue necessitates a combination of direct actions and ongoing SEO best practices. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, such as requesting indexing, strengthening internal linking, maintaining an accurate sitemap, optimizing crawl budget, prioritizing high-quality content, and leveraging social signals and external links, you can significantly increase the likelihood of your webpages being indexed by Google. Remember, SEO is a continuous process. Regularly monitor the effects of your efforts through Google Search Console and adapt your strategies as needed. By consistently optimizing your website and content, you can ensure that your valuable pages achieve optimal visibility in search engine results, attracting organic traffic and propelling your website towards success.

Don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Indexing can take time, and search engines may revisit your website multiple times before making a decision. Stay patient, focus on creating high-quality content, and maintain an SEO-friendly website. By following these guidelines and staying persistent, you'll see your website climb the search engine rankings and reach your target audience.

FAQs

Q: What does "Discovered - currently not indexed" in GSC mean?

A: This status indicates that Google is aware of your webpage but hasn't processed it for indexing yet. It essentially means your page hasn't been added to Google's search results.

Q: How can I fix this issue?

A: There are several strategies you can employ. Start by requesting indexing directly in GSC. Additionally, focus on improving internal linking, maintaining an accurate sitemap, optimizing crawl budget, and creating high-quality content. Building backlinks and promoting your content on social media can also indirectly influence indexing speed.

Q: Which steps should I prioritize?

A: Requesting indexing for critical pages is a quick win. Additionally, focus on creating high-quality content and ensuring your sitemap is up-to-date, as these are fundamental SEO practices that benefit your website in the long run.

Q: How long does it take to get a page indexed?

A: Indexing can take time, and there's no guaranteed timeframe. Search engines may revisit your website multiple times before making a decision. Stay patient and focus on maintaining a well-optimized website.

Q: I've tried everything, but my pages are still not indexed! What should I do?

A: If you've implemented these strategies and aren't seeing results after a reasonable amount of time, consider delving deeper. There might be underlying technical issues on your website. You can consult an SEO specialist for a more thorough analysis.