You’ve spent countless hours building your website, crafting content, and tirelessly promoting it. But are those shiny new links you’ve added actually doing their job? Or are they secretly marked as “noindex,” hidden away from the all-seeing eye of Google?
It’s a common problem that many website owners face – you put in all that effort, only to find out that your pages aren’t being indexed by search engines. It’s frustrating, it’s disheartening, and it can have a real impact on your website’s visibility and traffic.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s how to uncover the truth and make sure your website is working as hard as you are.
The “View Source” Method: Old-School Detective Work
Sometimes, the simplest tools are the best. Your web browser has a built-in feature that lets you peek behind the scenes of any webpage, revealing its hidden secrets.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Right-Click and Choose “View Page Source” (or similar): This will open a new tab or window filled with code. It might look intimidating, but don’t panic!
- Search for “noindex”: Use your browser’s “Find” function (usually Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and type in “noindex.”
- Look for
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">: If you see this tag, it means the page is telling search engines to ignore it.
Every webpage has underlying code that instructs search engines on how to handle it. The “noindex” tag is a direct command to leave the page out of search results.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free and easy | Page by page process |
| No special tools needed | Basic HTML knowledge required |
Tip: Speed up the process by using your browser’s find/replace function to search for “noindex” across multiple tabs if you have a lot of pages to check.
The “Noindex” Checker Tool: Fast and Furious
Online tools designed specifically for this purpose offer a faster way to check multiple pages. These tools can be a huge time-saver, especially if you have a larger site with many pages to check.
How they work:
- Paste the URL of the page you want to check
- Click “Check” (or similar)
- The tool scans the page and reports if it’s noindexed
Pros:
- Quick checks for multiple pages
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Premium version may be needed for large number of pages
Recommendation: Get started with a solid free tool like the “SEO Spider” from Screaming Frog. It can crawl up to 500 pages for free.
Google Search Console: The Insider’s View
Google Search Console is a must-use for anyone serious about their website’s performance. This powerful tool provides a wealth of information about how Google sees your site.
Here’s how to check for “noindex” issues:
- Log in to your Google Search Console account
- Navigate to the “Coverage” report to see a list of all the pages on your site that Google has found.
- Look for “Excluded” pages. These are the pages that Google knows about but isn’t indexing. Various reasons exist for exclusion, and “noindex” is one of them.
Google Search Console is your direct line to Google, showing you exactly how Google interacts with your site.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive overview of your site’s indexing status | Some technical knowledge required to interpret data |
| Free to use |
Tip: Many resources are available to help you interpret the data if you find it overwhelming in Google Search Console. Check out Google’s official documentation or look for beginner-friendly guides on SEO blogs.
Chrome Extensions: The “Noindex” Spy
Handy Chrome extensions can instantly tell you if a page is noindexed. These tools usually add a small icon to your browser bar, which changes color depending on the page’s status. They’re incredibly convenient for busy digital marketers who frequently analyze different pages.
Some reliable, well-reviewed extensions:
- Detailed SEO Extension
- Robots Exclusion Checker
- SEO Minion
- Link Redirect Trace
Pros:
- Extremely convenient for on-the-fly page checks
- Often free and easy to install
Cons:
- Chrome browser only
- Potential privacy concerns with some extensions
Caution: Be careful when installing browser extensions, as they can sometimes pose privacy risks. Always vet an extension carefully before adding it to your browser.
What to Do If You Find Noindexed Pages
Discovering important pages are noindexed can be worrying, but don’t panic. Simple fixes are usually available:
Check Your CMS Settings
Some content management systems (like WordPress) have settings that can accidentally noindex pages. Double-check those settings, especially if you’re not technically savvy. Look for settings related to search engine visibility.
Remove the “Noindex” Tag
Delete the tag from your page’s code or settings if you added it by mistake. This is a straightforward fix if you have access to your site’s HTML or your CMS’s page settings.
Look for Rogue Plugins or Scripts
A misbehaving plugin or script could be the culprit if you’re using WordPress or a similar platform. Disable plugins one by one to see if the problem goes away. It can be a frustrating trial-and-error process, but it’s often necessary to identify the issue.
Troubleshooting checklist:
- Deactivate all plugins
- Check if the issue is resolved
- If yes, reactivate plugins one by one until you find the culprit
- If no, the issue may be with your theme or custom code
Conclusion
Checking for noindexed pages is crucial for ensuring your website’s visibility and search engine performance. Use the methods outlined in this guide – the “View Source” method, “Noindex” checker tools, Google Search Console, or Chrome extensions – to regularly audit your site. The frequency of checks will depend on your site’s size and update schedule. If you find noindexed pages, investigate your CMS settings, remove any errant “noindex” tags, and check for problematic plugins or scripts. With diligent monitoring and swift action, you can keep your website in optimal shape for search engines.
