Is Your Site Not Showing Up in Search? Here’s How to Get It Indexed
You’ve invested in a sleek website for your business. You’ve got your products listed, your services explained, and maybe even a blog or two. But when you type your business name or URL into Google, nothing shows up. Frustrating, right?
How to index your website on search engines? That’s the question many business owners are left asking, especially when online visibility can make or break a brand. In fact, a study by BrightEdge found that 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine, and if your website isn’t indexed, you’re completely missing out on that traffic.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to check if your site is indexed, explain the most common indexing issues that others don’t talk about, and give you a roadmap on how to get your website properly indexed so customers can actually find you. Plus, if you need expert help, we’ll show you why Click Typhoon’s Langley SEO services might be your best move.
How to Check if Your Website Has Been Indexed
Before you fix anything, let’s make sure your website is actually unindexed.
Use Google’s Site Operator
Go to Google and type:
makefile
CopyEdit
site:yourdomain.com
If pages show up, those are the ones Google has indexed. If nothing appears, your site isn’t in Google’s index, or something is blocking it.
Google Search Console
Set up a free Google Search Console account and submit your sitemap. Once you do that, check:
- Coverage Report: Shows how many URLs are indexed.
- URL Inspection Tool: Paste any URL to see if it’s indexed and why or why not.
Check Robots.txt and Meta Tags
Many business owners unknowingly block indexing with:
- Disallow rules in robots.txt
- <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”> in their HTML
Common Website Indexing Issues and How to Fix Them
Now that you’ve checked your site, let’s dive into the issues that most blogs skip over—and what you can do about them.
You’re Relying on One Big Homepage
Search engines need multiple content-rich pages to crawl and index. If your site is just a one-page design, you’re limiting your crawlable footprint. Expand your site with individual service pages, FAQs, blogs, and testimonials.
Your CMS or Theme is Blocking Crawlers
Some WordPress themes and website builders have built-in settings that prevent indexing, especially during development. Double-check if your “discourage search engines” box is checked.
Your Site Loads Too Slowly
Google considers site speed as a ranking factor. But did you know slow-loading sites also discourage crawling? Pages that time out or delay rendering might not get indexed at all. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test your site speed.
Low-Value or Duplicate Content
Google filters out thin or duplicate content. If your service pages are copied and pasted from another website, or from each other, Google may crawl but choose not to index them. This is called “Crawl Budget Waste.”
Fix:
- Rewrite each page with unique, helpful content.
- Add FAQs and case studies to deepen value.
No Backlinks, No Crawl
Google discovers new pages through links. If no other website links to your domain, Google might never find you in the first place.
Fix:
- Submit your URL to Google directly.
- Start a backlink campaign or guest posting strategy.
How to Index Your Website on Search Engines
Indexing is not just about submitting your URL and hoping for the best. Here’s how to do it right.
Submit a Sitemap
Create an XML sitemap and submit it via Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. This acts as a roadmap for search engines to navigate your site.
Ensure Crawlability
- Your robots.txt file should not disallow important pages.
- Use tools like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb to check crawl paths.
- Make sure no “noindex” tags are hiding in your HTML.
Make It Mobile-Friendly
Over 60% of searches come from mobile devices (Statista, 2024). Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it prioritizes how your site performs on smartphones.
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Tool to ensure your site passes.
Use Schema Markup
Schema.org structured data helps Google understand your content better, leading to rich results and higher click-through rates.
For example, add:
- Local Business schema for your company
- FAQ schema for blog pages
- Product schema for eCommerce listings
Steps to Get Your Website Indexed by Search Engines
If you want a checklist-style action plan, here’s your six-step process to get indexed fast:
1. Create and Submit a Sitemap
Use a plugin or a generator to create a clean XML sitemap and submit it via Search Console.
2. Check Your Robots.txt File
Make sure it doesn’t disallow indexing of essential pages like /, /services, or /contact.
3. Request Indexing via URL Inspection
Go to Google Search Console → URL Inspection → Enter your URL → Click “Request Indexing.”
4. Build Internal Links
Link to new pages from your homepage or main navigation to give them visibility.
5. Get Some Backlinks
Backlinks are signals to search engines that your content is valuable. Reach out to blogs in your industry or local directories.
6. Post Fresh Content Regularly
Blogging weekly or even biweekly keeps Google bots returning. Consistency builds trust and improves indexing frequency.
What Most Sites Don’t Tell You About Indexing
While the basics help, here are some little-known tactics for better indexing:
Refresh Old Content
Updating outdated pages (e.g., adding 2025 statistics or FAQs) sends freshness signals to Google, prompting reindexing.
Use Google Indexing API (For Dynamic Sites)
If you run a job board, real estate, or events platform, Google’s Indexing API allows instant indexing for new or deleted content. This is advanced but powerful.
Embed User-Generated Content
Allowing users to leave reviews, comments, or Q&A creates dynamic, crawlable content—great for indexing and engagement.
Why Partner with a Langley SEO Professional?
You could do all of the above yourself, but for busy business owners, that’s easier said than done. That’s where Click Typhoon comes in.
We offer specialized Langley SEO services tailored to help local and national businesses improve visibility, boost search performance, and get properly indexed. From technical SEO audits to full backlink campaigns, we handle it all so you can focus on running your business.
Bottom Line
If your site isn’t showing up in search, you’re missing out on potential leads, sales, and visibility. Indexing is the first—and arguably the most critical—step in any SEO strategy. By checking your current indexing status, resolving hidden technical issues, and following proven steps, you can ensure your site becomes discoverable to your ideal audience.
Don’t Let Your Website Hide In The Shadows Of The Internet.
- Take the first step by checking if your site is indexed.
- Need expert guidance? The team at Click Typhoon offers reliable and result-driven Langley SEO services tailored for business owners like you.
- Whether you’re struggling with technical SEO, backlinks, or content strategy, we’ve got you covered.
- Let’s get your site noticed. Contact Click Typhoon today to start boosting your online presence.
Follow us on our socials here:
Check out some of our blogs to help your SEO needs:
