Excluded by NOINDEX Tag - Search Console

Understanding Google Search Console's 'Excluded by No Index Tag'

Summary

In this insightful video session, the speaker delves into the meaning of 'Excluded by No Index Tag' in Google Search Console's Index Coverage. The speaker explains that this exclusion occurs when a URL submitted in a sitemap serves a 'no index' directive, essentially telling Google not to index that URL. The speaker further demonstrates how to fetch and render a URL for analysis, highlighting the importance of checking the sitemap for URLs serving 'no index' tags. The video session is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of Google Search Console and improve their website's SEO.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the 'Excluded by No Index Tag' in Google Search Console
• How to fetch and render a URL for analysis
• The importance of checking the sitemap for URLs serving 'no index' tags
• Best practices for handling URLs serving 'no index' tags

Table of Contents

• Understanding 'Excluded by No Index Tag'
• Fetching and Rendering a URL
• Checking the Sitemap
• Handling URLs Serving 'No Index' Tags
• Best Practices

Understanding 'Excluded by No Index Tag'

The 'Excluded by No Index Tag' in Google Search Console's Index Coverage refers to URLs that have been submitted in a sitemap but are serving a 'no index' directive. This directive tells Google not to index that particular URL. This exclusion typically occurs due to the sitemaps submitted to the Search Console using plugins.

Fetching and Rendering a URL

Fetching and rendering a URL is a smart option for further analysis. This process involves pressing on the URL in question and keeping an eye out for the 'no index' directive. This directive can be served through various means, including PHP.

Checking the Sitemap

It is crucial to check the sitemap submitted to the Search Console to ensure it does not contain URLs serving 'no index' tags. This is especially important if you are using popular plugins like Yoast. If your sitemap contains URLs serving 'no index' tags, you have two options: remove the URL from the sitemap or remove the 'no index' tag.

Handling URLs Serving 'No Index' Tags

When handling URLs serving 'no index' tags, it is important to triple check all known pages first. This is to ensure that you are aware of these URLs. In some cases, Google may pick up these URLs because it follows all the links throughout your entire website. Some of these links may point to search results pages, which is how Google picks them up.

Best Practices

The best practice is to ensure that the sitemap does not contain URLs that serve 'no index' tags. If you are using Yoast, you can use the gear icon option to allow search engines to show the post in search results. If you select 'no', the plugin will remove that URL from the sitemap. You can also control individual posts or pages using the gear icon option.

Conclusion

Understanding the 'Excluded by No Index Tag' in Google Search Console's Index Coverage is crucial for improving your website's SEO. By following the best practices outlined in this post, you can ensure that your sitemap does not contain URLs serving 'no index' tags, thereby improving your website's visibility on Google.