How to Fix Discovered Currently Not Indexed in Google Search Console

Introduction

In the complex world of SEO, ensuring that your pages are indexed by Google is vital for online visibility and driving organic traffic to your site. However, there are instances when Google discovers your page but decides not to index it, leaving your content out of search results. This is where the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” status in Google Search Console (GSC) comes into play. Understanding why this happens and how to resolve the issue is critical for maximizing your content’s reach and ensuring it appears in search results.

Understanding the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” Issue

The “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” status in GSC signifies that while Google has found your page URL, it has not yet crawled or indexed the page. In simpler terms, Google is aware that your page exists but has chosen not to process it further for inclusion in the search index. This situation can be particularly frustrating if you’ve invested time and resources into creating quality content, only to see it go unnoticed by search engines.
This issue is often temporary but can persist if certain conditions are not addressed. Identifying and resolving these conditions is key to getting your page indexed and visible in search results.

Why does this Issue occur?

The reasons behind a page being discovered but not indexed can vary. Below are some of the most common factors that contribute to this issue:

1. Site Overload Concerns

Google’s primary concern is to ensure that its crawling activities do not overwhelm your server. If Googlebot determines that crawling your site could potentially slow it down or cause performance issues, it may delay or defer the crawl to prevent overloading your server. This precaution can leave pages in the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” state.

Fix: To address this, you can optimize your server to handle Googlebot’s requests more efficiently. Consider upgrading your hosting plan if necessary, and ensure that your server’s bandwidth and resources are sufficient to manage increased crawling activity without affecting site performance.

2. Low-Quality Content

Content quality is a significant factor in determining whether a page will be crawled and indexed. Pages with thin content, little original value, or a lack of depth may be deemed unworthy of Google’s resources for crawling and indexing. Google prioritizes content that provides real value to users, which means pages that do not meet these criteria may remain unindexed.

Fix: Improve the quality of your content by making it more comprehensive, informative, and engaging. Add valuable insights, supporting data, and multimedia elements like images or videos to enhance the content’s overall appeal. Regularly update your content to keep it relevant and fresh.

3. Crawl Budget Limitations

Every website has a specific crawl budget, which refers to the number of pages Googlebot will crawl during a given time frame. If your site has a large number of pages, Google may not have enough time or resources to crawl all of them, leading to some pages being discovered but not indexed.

Fix: To make the most of your crawl budget, prioritize your most important pages. You can do this by optimizing your site’s structure, ensuring that key pages are easily accessible from the homepage or other high-traffic areas of your site. Additionally, use the robots.txt file to block unnecessary or low-value pages from being crawled, freeing up resources for more important pages.

4. Technical Issues on the Website

Technical issues can also prevent Google from crawling and indexing your pages. Problems such as broken links, server errors, or slow loading times can disrupt the crawling process, leading to pages being discovered but not indexed.

Fix: Conduct regular technical audits of your site to identify and fix issues that may hinder crawling. Ensure that all links on your site are functional, resolve any server errors promptly, and optimize your site’s loading speed. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you identify areas for improvement in site performance.

How to Identify pages affected by this Issue?

Identifying which pages are affected by the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” issue is a critical step in resolving the problem. Google Search Console provides the tools you need to pinpoint these pages.

1. Access the Coverage Report

Start by logging into your Google Search Console account. Navigate to the “Coverage” section under the “Index” tab. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of your site’s indexing status, including the pages that have been discovered but not yet indexed.

2. Analyze the Affected Pages

Once you’ve accessed the coverage report, look for the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” status. Review the list of URLs under this status and analyze the content and technical aspects of each page. Consider the possible reasons why these pages have not been indexed, such as low-quality content or technical issues.

Solution 1: Mark URLs with ‘noindex’ if They Should Not Be Indexed

If you determine that certain URLs should not be indexed by search engines (such as duplicate content, low-value pages, or private content), you should use the no-index directive to prevent them from appearing in search results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify URLs for Noindex

• Review Content: Audit your site to identify URLs that do not need to be indexed. This could include pages like:
• Login screens
• Internal search results
• Low-value content
• Private or restricted access pages
• Use Tools: Utilize tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Sitebulb to help identify these URLs.

2. Add the no-index Meta Tag

• Edit HTML: Open the HTML file of the page you wish to mark as no-index.
• Insert Meta Tag: Place the following meta tag within the section of the page’s HTML: <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>
• Verify Implementation: Ensure that the meta tag is correctly implemented by checking the page source code or using a tool like the Google Tag Assistant.

3. Update Your Robots.txt File (Optional)

• Edit Robots.txt: If you want to prevent search engines from crawling specific URLs entirely (though this does not replace no-index), add rules to your robots.txt file. User-agent: * Disallow: /private-page/
• Confirm Changes: Use the Robots.txt Tester in Google Search Console to ensure the rules are correctly applied and that the URLs are indeed being blocked.

4. Submit the URL for Removal (if needed)

• Access URL Removal Tool: Log in to Google Search Console and navigate to the “Removals” section.
• Request Removal: Use the URL Removal Tool to request the removal of the URL from Google’s index if it has already been indexed.

Solution 2: Ensure URLs That Should Be Indexed Are Properly Configured

For URLs that should be indexed, follow these steps to ensure they are configured correctly:

1. Check for Indexing Issues

Crawl Accessibility

• Check Robots.txt: Make sure the URL is not blocked by robots.txt. Access the file via example.com/robots.txt and review its rules.
• Meta Tags: Confirm that there are no no-index meta tags present in the section of the page.

Server Response

• Status Code: Ensure the server responds with a 200 status code (OK). Use tools like HTTP Status Checker or the URL Inspection Tool in GSC to verify.
• Fix Errors: Address any 4xx or 5xx errors by fixing broken links, correcting server issues, or optimizing server performance.

2. Ensure Proper Internal Linking

• Link Structure: Make sure the URL is properly linked from other relevant pages on your site. Use a tool like Screaming Frog to analyze your internal linking structure.
• Anchor Text: Use descriptive and relevant anchor text for internal links to improve contextual relevance.

3. Submit a Sitemap

• Update Sitemap: Ensure the URL is included in your XML sitemap. Update the sitemap if needed.
• Submit in GSC: Go to Google Search Console, navigate to the “Sitemaps” section, and submit the updated sitemap.

4. Request Indexing

• URL Inspection Tool: In Google Search Console, use the “URL Inspection” tool.
• Enter URL: Input the URL and click “Request Indexing” to prompt Google to re-crawl and re-evaluate the page.

5. Monitor Indexing Status

• Check Status: Regularly monitor the URL’s status in Google Search Console.
• Review Updates: Be patient as indexing can take several days. Ensure any issues are resolved if the page still shows as “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed.”

Preventing Future Discovered Currently Not Indexed” Issues

Preventative measures are crucial for avoiding this issue in the future. By maintaining a healthy site and following best practices, you can reduce the likelihood of encountering the “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” status.

1. Keep Your Content Fresh and Relevant

• Regularly updating your content helps keep it relevant and valuable to users. Google favors fresh content that meets current user needs, so ensure that your pages are regularly reviewed and updated as needed.
• Action: Schedule periodic content audits to review and update your site’s content. Add new information, update outdated details, and remove any irrelevant or redundant content. This will help maintain the quality and relevance of your site in the eyes of Google.

2. Monitor Your Site’s Performance

• Regularly monitoring your site’s performance is essential for maintaining its health and ensuring that it meets Google’s indexing criteria. Tools like Google Analytics and GSC can help you track key metrics and identify potential issues before they impact your site.
• Action: Set up regular monitoring using Google Analytics and GSC. Pay close attention to metrics like page load speed, bounce rate, and server response times. Address any issues that arise promptly to prevent them from affecting your site’s crawlability and indexing.

3. Optimize Your Website’s Structure

• A well-organized website structure makes it easier for Google to crawl and index your pages. Ensure that your site’s architecture is logical, with a clear hierarchy and easy navigation.
• Action: Review your site’s structure and ensure that it follows a logical hierarchy. Important pages should be easily accessible from the homepage or main navigation menu. Use breadcrumbs, a clear URL structure, and internal linking to enhance navigation and improve the overall user experience.

Conclusion

The “Discovered – Currently Not Indexed” issue can pose a significant challenge to your SEO efforts, but with the right approach, it can be effectively resolved. By understanding the underlying causes and implementing the fixes outlined above, you can increase the chances of your pages being crawled and indexed by Google. Regular site maintenance, content optimization, and proactive monitoring are key to ensuring that your site remains healthy and that your content reaches its intended audience.

FAQ’s