Ever built a beautiful website but noticed it’s just not showing up on Google? That’s probably because it’s not being crawled or indexed properly. Think of your website as a book. Crawling is when search engines “flip through the pages,” and indexing is when they “add it to their library.” If Google can’t read or store your site, you’ll never show up in search results—no matter how good your content is. Let’s break down how to improve crawling and indexing so your site doesn’t stay invisible.
Understanding the Basics
What Is Crawling?
Crawling is the process where search engine bots (like Googlebot) scan your website’s pages to see what’s there. These bots follow links, read code, and explore your site like a visitor—but with a mission to find new or updated content.
What Is Indexing?
Once crawlers gather information, indexing decides where and how your content will appear in search results. If a page isn’t indexed, it’s like writing an article and hiding it in a drawer.
How Google Crawlers Work
Google uses a crawl budget—a set limit on how many pages it will crawl on your site. This is affected by your site’s speed, structure, and overall health. If your site is slow or confusing, crawlers may not visit everything.
Signs Your Website Has Crawling or Indexing Issues
Pages Not Showing in Search Results
If your new blog posts or web pages don’t appear on Google after a few days, they may not be indexed. That’s a red flag.
Delayed Updates in SERPs
Updated titles or meta descriptions not reflecting in search results? That’s usually due to crawling delays.
Crawl Stats Report in Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) shows crawl behavior. If it’s crawling fewer pages than you have, something’s wrong.
Step-by-Step: How to Improve Website Crawling
Submit a Sitemap to Google
Your sitemap is like a roadmap for Google. It tells bots where your pages live.
- Go to Google Search Console.
- Navigate to “Sitemaps.”
- Submit your sitemap URL (usually
yoursite.com/sitemap.xml).
Use Internal Linking Strategically
Imagine being in a hotel with no signs. Internal links are those signs—they guide both users and bots.
- Link from older blogs to newer ones.
- Use keyword-rich anchor text.
- Keep links relevant and useful.
Keep a Clean Robots.txt File
Your robots.txt file tells search engines what they can’t crawl. Be careful—one wrong line can block your entire site.
✅ Do:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /private-page/
❌ Don’t:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
Reduce Site Errors (404s, Redirect Loops)
Broken pages create dead ends for crawlers.
Importance of Fixing Broken Links
When crawlers hit a 404 error or infinite redirect, it wastes crawl budget and signals poor site quality. Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to identify and fix these errors quickly.
Best Practices to Improve Indexing
Ensure Your Content Is Unique and Valuable
Duplicate or thin content? Google won’t bother.
Tips:
- Use original research or insights.
- Add depth to every blog post—don’t just summarize what others say.
Optimize Meta Tags (Title, Description, Canonical)
Meta tags are your chance to tell Google what the page is about.
- Use the main keyword naturally.
- Keep title tags under 60 characters.
- Write compelling meta descriptions (155–160 characters).
Use Schema Markup to Provide Context
Schema helps search engines understand your content better—think of it as putting subtitles on a movie.
Use schema types like:
- Article
- FAQ
- Product
- Review
Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to get started.
Technical SEO Tweaks That Help
Improve Page Load Speed
Slow sites frustrate users—and bots.
Quick fixes:
- Compress images.
- Use lazy loading.
- Minify CSS and JavaScript.
Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
With mobile-first indexing, your site’s mobile version matters most. If it’s not responsive, your rankings will suffer.
Test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool.
Use HTTPS
Google gives secure (HTTPS) sites preference. If you’re still on HTTP, get an SSL certificate today.
Tools to Monitor Crawling and Indexing
Google Search Console
Your best free tool.
- See indexing status.
- Submit pages for indexing.
- Track crawl errors.
Screaming Frog
A downloadable tool that mimics crawler behavior.
- Find broken links.
- Check meta tags.
- Audit large sites easily.
Ahrefs Site Audit
Powerful paid tool for in-depth technical audits.
- View crawl logs.
- Spot canonical issues.
- Analyze crawl depth.
Common Mistakes That Block Crawlers
Misconfigured Robots.txt
We touched on this earlier—accidentally blocking / can shut down your entire site from bots.
Noindex Tags on Important Pages
If you tag important pages with noindex, Google will skip them entirely. Always double-check with a crawler or SEO plugin.
Orphan Pages
These are pages with no internal links pointing to them. If Google can’t find a path, it won’t crawl them.
Fix: Link them in your menu, footer, or from related posts.
Bonus Tips to Speed Up Indexing
Ping Google with Updated URLs
Use the “URL Inspection” tool in GSC to request indexing of newly published or updated pages. It’s a manual nudge to Google.
Post Fresh Content Regularly
Search engines love active sites.
Create a content calendar and publish consistently—blogs, case studies, or landing pages.
Share URLs on Social Media
Social shares = more visibility = more chances for bots to find you.
Even better? Share on LinkedIn or Reddit where Google actively crawls.
Conclusion:
Improving your website’s crawling and indexing isn’t just a one-time fix—it’s a habit. Like watering a plant, your site needs consistent care. The better your technical foundation, the easier it is for Google to find, understand, and rank your content.
So, take the time to fine-tune your site. Your traffic numbers—and your SEO—will thank you for it.
FAQs:
1. How long does Google take to index a page?
It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. New websites or pages without backlinks may take longer.
2. Is submitting a sitemap enough for crawling?
It helps, but it’s not a magic fix. You also need strong internal links and a clean technical structure.
3. Why is my site not indexed?
Check for crawl blocks in robots.txt, noindex tags, or low-quality content. Also, make sure the site is submitted to GSC.
4. How often should I check my crawl stats?
Every month. Use Google Search Console to monitor crawl activity and spot issues early.
5. Can social media help with indexing?
Yes! Sharing links on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn increases visibility and encourages bots to crawl your content.