2 Ways to Fix Excluded by NOINDEX tag in #GoogleSearchConsole - Technical SEO

How to Fix Google Page Indexing Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Search Console is a powerful tool for website owners, but it can sometimes present challenges. One common issue is pages not getting indexed due to the 'no index' tag. This blog post provides a comprehensive guide on how to fix Google page indexing issues, specifically focusing on the 'excluded by no index tag' issue. The post will walk you through two different ways to resolve this issue, ensuring your website's pages are properly indexed by Google.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the 'excluded by no index tag' issue in Google Search Console
• Identifying affected URLs
• Using WordPress and SEO plugins to fix the issue
• Submitting removal requests for unwanted URLs

Table of Contents

• Understanding the 'Excluded by No Index Tag' Issue
• Identifying Affected URLs
• Using WordPress and SEO Plugins
• Submitting Removal Requests
• Waiting for Google Search Console to Update

Understanding the 'Excluded by No Index Tag' Issue

The 'excluded by no index tag' arises when Google Search Console identifies pages on your website that have been blocked from indexing by a 'no index' tag. This can sometimes include random URLs that should not be blocked, indicating a potential issue with Google Search Console itself.

Identifying Affected URLs

To identify the affected URLs, you need to navigate to the 'Coverage' section of Google Search Console and click on the 'excluded by no index tag' issue. This will display a list of URLs that have been blocked from indexing. Some of these URLs may be random or irrelevant, such as search references or backend login pages.

Using WordPress and SEO Plugins

WordPress and SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can be used to fix the 'no index' issue. By navigating to the 'Posts' or 'Pages' section of your WordPress dashboard, you can filter posts or pages that contain the 'no index' tag. From there, you can edit each post or page, navigate to the 'Advanced' tab of the SEO plugin, and change the settings to allow search engines to index the post or page and follow links on it.

Submitting Removal Requests

If there are URLs that you want to remove from Google's index, you can submit a removal request in Google Search Console. This can be done by copying the URL prefix of the unwanted URLs and submitting a new request in the 'Removals' section. You can choose to remove a single URL or all URLs with the same prefix.

Waiting for Google Search Console to Update

After submitting the removal requests, it may take a few hours or even a few days for Google Search Console to update and reflect the changes. During this time, it's important to be patient and wait for the updates to take effect.

Conclusion

Fixing Google page indexing issues can be a complex task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it's entirely possible. By understanding the 'excluded by no index tag' issue, identifying affected URLs, using WordPress and SEO plugins, and submitting removal requests, you can ensure your website's pages are properly indexed by Google. Remember, patience is key as Google Search Console updates may take some time.