Solving “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Issues Google Search Console
Many website owners encounter the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” status in Google Search Console (GSC). This status indicates that Google has crawled the page but decided not to index it—for now, at least. Understanding why this happens and how to address it can help optimize your website’s indexing and search performance. Below, we’ll explore common scenarios, real-world insights, and actionable advice to manage these issues effectively.
What Does “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” Mean?
Google crawls webpages to evaluate their content and decide if they are worth indexing. If a page is marked as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed,” it means:
- Google has accessed the page.
- Google hasn’t indexed the page yet, possibly due to quality, relevance, or technical reasons.
- It might or might not get indexed in the future.
Google explicitly states, “No need to resubmit this URL for crawling.”
Common Causes and Fixes
Pages That Don’t Need to Exist
Some pages might not add value to your website and, therefore, don’t need to be indexed. For instance:
- Duplicate or near-duplicate pages.
- Thin content pages.
- Irrelevant or utility pages (e.g., login pages, feeds).
Action: Identify such pages and ensure they are excluded from indexing using noindex tags or by blocking them in the robots.txt file.
Redirecting URLs
Redirect issues can cause pages to be flagged as “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed.”
Example Insight: In one case, redirecting URLs were fixed, and WebP image URLs were safely ignored, as static files like images are not typically indexed.
Action: Ensure all redirects are properly configured (e.g., 301 redirects for permanent moves) and clean up any unnecessary redirect chains.
Uppercase vs. Lowercase URLs
Inconsistent URL structures can confuse search engines and lead to indexing issues.
Example Insight: A PHP script was implemented to redirect uppercase URLs to lowercase versions with a 301 redirect. Feed URLs were also blocked to resolve the issue.
Action: Standardize your URLs and ensure case consistency.
String Query and Pagination URLs
String query and pagination URLs often clutter the index and reduce crawl efficiency.
Example Insight: A reported issue with 91.1K URLs revealed string query, pagination, and login URLs. These were managed by:
- Unlinking unnecessary query URLs.
- Marking them as noindex.
- Blocking them in the robots.txt file.
- Removing Atom URLs from the source code.
Action: Optimize your sitemap to include only essential pages and manage query strings appropriately.
WebP and Feed URLs
Non-essential file URLs like WebP images and feed URLs can appear in GSC but don’t need to be indexed.
Example Insight: A case with 352 reported URLs was resolved by blocking string query and feed URLs in the robots.txt file, while valid URLs were submitted for indexing.
Action: Remove unnecessary URLs from your sitemap and ensure that only valid pages are submitted for indexing.
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Get a QuoteReal-World Insights and Solutions
Case 1: XML Sitemap Cleanup
In one instance, many string query URLs originally included in the sitemap were removed and marked as noindex following Google’s recommendations. Correct URLs were submitted for indexing, leading to improved crawl efficiency.
Case 2: Addressing Pagination Issues
Pagination URLs often don’t need indexing, especially when non-paginated versions are already indexed. Disabling pagination on certain pages and resubmitting important URLs helped resolve this issue.
Case 3: Handling Large URL Reports
In a scenario involving 352 URLs, 232 were string query URLs, 89 were WebP images, and 23 were /feed URLs. String query URLs were blocked via robots.txt, and feed URLs were removed from the source code. Valid URLs were submitted for indexing.
Case 4: Preventing URL Bloat
For a site with 687 URLs in its sitemap, new product pages caused a spike in WebP and pagination URLs. By cleaning the sitemap and submitting only essential URLs for indexing, indexing efficiency improved.
Case 5: Query String Overload
In a situation with over 91K reported URLs, string query, Atom, pagination, and login URLs were culprits. Unnecessary query strings were marked noindex, while essential URLs were optimized and submitted.
Key Takeaways
- Not All Pages Should Be Indexed: Focus on indexing valuable, high-quality content while excluding unnecessary URLs.
- Regular Sitemap Audits: Keep your sitemap updated to reflect only essential pages.
- Monitor and Optimize: Use GSC to identify problematic URLs and take corrective actions promptly.
- Don’t Panic Over Non-Indexed Pages: It’s normal for some pages not to be indexed, especially if they don’t add significant value.
Our Services
At Salam Experts, we specialize in technical SEO and website optimization to ensure your key pages are indexed and ranked. Our services include:
- Comprehensive website audits to identify indexing issues.
- Sitemap optimization and management.
- Implementation of effective robots.txt and noindex strategies.
- Technical fixes for redirect and URL structure problems.
- Content enhancement for better relevance and quality.
Let us help you unlock your website’s full potential and improve your search visibility. Contact us today for a consultation!
By understanding and addressing “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issues, you can optimize your website’s indexing and improve its visibility in search results.
FAQs About “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed”
Should I Resubmit URLs for Crawling?
No, Google advises against resubmitting these URLs. Focus on improving content quality and fixing technical issues instead.
Why Are Some Important Pages Not Indexed?
This could be due to:
- Thin or duplicate content.
- Poor internal linking.
- Lack of authority or relevance.
How Long Does It Take for Pages to Get Indexed?
It varies. New pages might take a few days to weeks, while improved pages could take longer, depending on their significance and crawl frequency.
