How to Fix "Discovered - Currently Not Indexed" (2024)

Last Updated: September 22, 2024

What does the "Discovered - not currently indexed" status mean?

A typical 'Discovered - currently not indexed' response from Google Search Console, indicating that the page is not indexed.

The "discovered - not currently indexed" status indicates that search engines have found your web pages but have not yet added them to their index. This can lead to poor visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs), affecting your website's overall performance in organic searches.

To resolve this issue, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Check for crawl budget issues

1.1 Understanding crawl budget

Crawl budget refers to the number of pages search engines crawl on your site during a specific timeframe. If your site has crawl budget issues, important pages may be left unindexed. Ensure that your robots.txt file is not blocking critical pages and that your site's overall structure allows for efficient crawling.

Regularly check your Google Search Console for crawl errors and address them promptly. This will help search engines prioritize crawling and indexing your most important pages. Crawl budget allocation can vary depending on the size and authority of your website, so optimizing it for efficiency is crucial.

1.2 Ensuring robots.txt accessibility

Proactively managing your crawl budget is essential for ensuring that search engines discover and index your content efficiently. Regularly monitor crawl errors in Google Search Console and address them promptly. Optimize your robots.txt file to ensure that important pages are accessible to search engine crawlers.

1.3 Optimizing site structure for efficiency

Consider implementing a logical site structure and using XML sitemaps to guide search engine crawlers to your most critical pages. This not only aids in efficient crawling but also helps in prioritizing the indexing of important content.

2. Optimize your sitemap

Ensuring that your website's XML sitemap is well-optimized is crucial for search engine indexing. A comprehensive sitemap helps search engine crawlers understand the structure of your site, improving the chances of indexing.

2.1 Ensure proper sitemap submission

Include all essential pages in your website's XML sitemap and submit it to search engines. A comprehensive sitemap helps search engine crawlers understand the structure of your site, improving the chances of indexing.

Regularly update your sitemap to reflect changes in your site's structure and content. Submit the updated sitemap to search engines to ensure that new pages are quickly discovered and indexed.

2.2 Utilize fetch as Google

In the Google Search Console, use the "Fetch as Google" feature to see how Googlebot renders your pages. This tool allows you to identify and address any rendering issues that might affect indexing.

Regularly use the "Fetch as Google" tool to ensure that Googlebot can access and render your pages correctly. Address any rendering issues promptly to improve the chances of successful indexing.

3. Check for content quality issues

Search engines prioritize high-quality content. If your pages have thin or duplicate content, they may not get indexed. Review your content and ensure it is unique, valuable, and relevant to your target audience.

Use tools like Copyscape to check for duplicate content across the web. If duplicate content exists, rework your pages to provide unique insights and value. Additionally, update outdated content to maintain its relevance and appeal to search engines.

3.1 Conduct keyword analysis

Perform keyword analysis to identify relevant keywords for your content. Ensure that your pages include these keywords naturally and align with the search queries you want to rank for.

Integrate relevant keywords naturally into your content. Use variations and synonyms to create comprehensive and valuable content that aligns with user search intent.

3.2 Enhance multimedia elements

Optimize images and multimedia elements to improve page loading times. Compressed and properly formatted media not only enhances user experience but also contributes to better indexing.

Use descriptive file names and alt text for images. Compress images without compromising quality to ensure faster loading times, benefiting both user experience and search engine indexing.

4. Utilize AptusWeb for faster indexing

If you're looking for a faster and more efficient way to index your pages, consider leveraging AptusWeb, our advanced Google indexing service. AptusWeb is designed to expedite the indexing process, ensuring that the majority of pages are indexed within 48 hours.

Screenshot of Google Search Console index chart showing the message: 'Your pages indexed within days, not weeks or months'.

Key features of AptusWeb:

  • Swift Indexing: AptusWeb prioritizes speed, ensuring that your content is promptly crawled and indexed by Google.
  • Automatic Sitemap Scanning: Set up AptusWeb to automatically scan your sitemaps and index new content as soon as it's published.
  • Google Indexing API Integration: We use the Google Indexing API for optimal results, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the indexing process.

Getting started with AptusWeb is easy:

  1. Start with a 14-day free trial of AptusWeb's indexing service.
  2. Configure your settings, including sitemap preferences and automatic indexing options.
  3. Submit your URLs for indexing and let AptusWeb take care of the rest.

Streamline your indexing process with AptusWeb's user-friendly interface. Take the first step by signing up for a free trial and enjoy the benefits of rapid Google indexing.

5. Check that content is internally linked

Internal linking is crucial for SEO. It helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your site. If your important pages are not internally linked, they may not be given the importance they deserve.

Review your site's internal linking structure and ensure that important pages are linked from relevant sections. Use descriptive anchor text to provide context to search engines about the linked pages. This can improve the chances of those pages getting indexed.

5.1 Implement breadcrumb navigation

Breadcrumb navigation not only improves user experience but also provides additional context to search engines. Implement breadcrumb navigation to enhance internal linking and assist with the indexing of deeper pages.

5.2 Minimize redirect chains

Long redirect chains can consume crawl budget. Minimize redirect chains and ensure that important pages are directly accessible without multiple redirects.

Optimize your internal linking structure by incorporating descriptive anchor text. Ensure that essential pages are easily accessible without unnecessary redirect chains, facilitating efficient crawling and indexing.

6. Fix overloaded servers

Search engine crawlers may face difficulties indexing your pages if your servers are overloaded or slow to respond. Monitor your server's performance and address any issues that may lead to slow loading times.

Consider upgrading your hosting plan or moving to a more reliable hosting provider if server issues persist. A fast and responsive server not only improves indexing but also enhances the overall user experience on your site.

Implement caching mechanisms to reduce server load and speed up page loading times. This not only benefits search engine crawlers but also improves the performance for your website visitors.

6.1 Optimize server resources

Regularly review server logs and identify resource-intensive processes. Optimize scripts, databases, and server configurations to ensure efficient resource utilization.

6.2 Use Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

Implement a CDN to distribute content across multiple servers geographically. This reduces latency and improves page loading times, positively impacting both user experience and indexing.

Ensure optimal server performance by regularly optimizing resources and utilizing Content Delivery Networks (CDN). This not only improves indexing efficiency but also enhances user experience across the globe.

7. Fix resource-heavy websites

Resource-heavy websites, laden with excessive scripts, large media files, or unnecessary plugins, can hinder the indexing process. Optimize your website's resources to ensure efficient crawling and indexing by search engines.

Compress images, minify CSS and JavaScript files, and reduce server requests to create a leaner website. Regularly audit and update your website's plugins, removing any that are unnecessary or resource-intensive. By lightening the load, you enhance the chances of your pages being indexed promptly.

Consider implementing lazy loading for images and videos to ensure that resources are loaded only when needed. This can significantly improve page loading times, positively impacting both indexing and user experience.

7.1 Prioritize critical resources

Identify critical resources on your website and prioritize their loading. Ensure that essential content is delivered quickly, even if other non-essential elements are loaded later. This approach improves the overall user experience and indexing efficiency.

7.2 Monitor resource usage

Regularly monitor your website's resource usage, especially during peak traffic times. Scaling resources appropriately ensures that your website remains responsive and accessible to both users and search engine crawlers.

Optimize your website's resources to create a leaner and more efficient platform. Regularly monitor resource usage to ensure optimal performance during peak traffic periods, benefiting both users and search engine crawlers.

8. Leverage social media for indexing

Social media platforms can play a significant role in getting your content indexed faster. Share your latest pages on popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. When search engines observe social signals pointing to your content, it can positively impact the indexing process.

Create engaging posts with a call-to-action to visit your website. Encourage your audience to share your content, amplifying its reach across social channels. While social signals are not direct ranking factors, they contribute to the overall visibility and discoverability of your pages.

8.1 Craft compelling social media posts

Optimize your social media posts with attention-grabbing headlines and engaging descriptions. Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability and encourage users to click through to your

8.2 Participate in social communities

Engage with relevant social communities and groups in your niche. Share your content where appropriate, and participate in discussions. Building a social presence can lead to increased shares and visibility.

9. Monitor and improve Click-Through Rates (CTR)

High click-through rates indicate that users find your pages relevant and engaging. Search engines take CTR into consideration when determining the value of your content. Monitoring and improving CTR can positively impact indexing and rankings.

9.1 Create compelling meta descriptions

Craft compelling meta descriptions that accurately represent the content of your pages. A well-written meta description can entice users to click on your result in the SERPs, improving CTR.

9.2 Test and optimize title tags

Regularly test and optimize your title tags to make them more appealing and relevant. A clear and enticing title tag can significantly improve the likelihood of users clicking through to your website.

Conclusion

Follow these steps to address the 'discovered - not currently indexed' issue and enhance your website's search engine visibility. Regularly monitor your site's performance in the Google Search Console and make adjustments as needed to ensure optimal indexing and ranking.

Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and staying informed about the latest trends and updates in search engine algorithms is essential. By consistently optimizing your website and addressing any issues promptly, you can improve your chances of achieving higher rankings and increased visibility in search engine results.