Pages can fall out of Google’s search index for various reasons, particularly in New Jersey. Common reasons include:
- Technical Errors: Technical issues on your website, like errors in your robots.txt file or HTTP errors on pages, can cause deindexing.
- Noindex Meta Tag: Pages with a noindex meta tag are removed from Google’s index. This tag might be added by mistake or left after site redesigns.
- Canonical Issues: Google may deindex pages considered duplicate content due to canonical tags pointing elsewhere.
- Manual Actions: Violation of Google’s webmaster guidelines through black-hat SEO tactics can lead to deindexing.
- Low-Quality Content: Pages deemed low quality, including thin or unhelpful content, may be dropped from the index.
- Website Not Being Updated: Infrequent updates or stale content can result in less frequent crawling and deindexing.
- URL Changes or Redirection Issues: Improper 301 redirects after URL changes can cause deindexing.
- Server Issues: Accessibility problems due to server issues can lead to deindexing.
- Mobile-First Indexing Issues: Google uses mobile-first indexing, so mobile usability issues can affect indexing.
To fix these issues, use Google Search Console to diagnose and address the causes. Steps include:
- Checking for crawl errors.
- Reviewing robots.txt files.
- Removing noindex tags.
- Ensuring correct canonical tags.
- Improving content quality.
- Ensuring proper URL redirects.
- Checking server accessibility.
- Ensuring mobile usability.
- Resubmitting to Google.
SEO changes take time, so be patient and monitor for updates.
Tracking Indexed Pages
Track indexed pages using:
- Google Search Console: Provides a coverage report and a URL Inspection tool.
- Site: Search: Using “site:yourwebsite.com” in Google search.
- Third-party SEO Tools: Like Ahrefs, SEMRush, and Moz.
- Sitemap: Comparing sitemap URLs with those indexed in Google Search Console.
Remember, indexation doesn’t guarantee high visibility in search results.
FAQs About Indexing
- Time for Google to Remove a Page: Varies from days to weeks; immediate for manual actions.
- Reindexing a Removed Page: Possible after resolving the issues and requesting a recrawl.
- Preventing Deindexing: Produce quality content, follow Google’s guidelines, monitor for technical issues, and review your robots.txt file.
- Responding to Manual Actions: Address the issues, fix them, and submit a reconsideration request.
- Tools for Checking Indexation: Google Search Console and various third-party SEO tools.
About Five Star SEO Digital Services
Five Star SEO, founded in 2011 by Terry and Elisabeth Samuels in New Jersey, offers quality web design and digital marketing services at fair prices. The company integrates design and digital marketing seamlessly, focusing on data, analytics, and creative visual strengths. Five Star SEO’s headquarters is in Tempe, Arizona, serving clients across various states, including New Jersey.
