Managing a website’s search engine presence can be tricky, especially when you encounter issues related to the ‘noindex’ tag. If you’ve found pages excluded from search results because of this tag, don’t worry – I’m here to guide you through understanding, identifying, and resolving these issues effectively.
What is the ‘noindex’ Tag?
The ‘noindex’ tag is a meta directive used to prevent search engines from including specific pages in their search results. It’s an intentional method to control which content gets indexed.
Why Use the ‘noindex’ Tag?
- Sensitive Information: To prevent private or irrelevant pages from appearing in search results.
- Duplicate Content: To avoid duplicate pages being indexed and harming your SEO.
- Low-Quality Pages: To focus search engine attention on high-value pages.
How Does the ‘noindex’ Tag Work?
Search engines rely on meta tags in a page’s HTML to understand how to crawl and index the content. The ‘noindex’ directive tells them, “Don’t include this page in your search results.”
Example:
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">This tag can be added to:
- The
<head>section of an HTML page - The HTTP header of a webpage
Common Scenarios Where Pages Get Excluded by ‘noindex’
- Accidental Implementation: A developer unintentionally leaves the ‘noindex’ tag on live pages.
- Outdated Tags: Legacy tags on old pages that are now important.
- CMS Settings: Certain content management systems (CMS) may apply the ‘noindex’ tag by default to some pages.
- Improper Use of Robots.txt: Confusion between ‘noindex’ and blocking crawlers using robots.txt.
How to Identify Pages Excluded by ‘noindex’
1. Use Google Search Console (GSC)
- Navigate to Coverage Report.
- Look for the “Excluded” section.
- Find the reason “Excluded by ‘noindex’ tag.”
2. Inspect URLs in GSC
- Use the URL inspection tool.
- Check for the ‘noindex’ directive.
3. Crawl Your Site with SEO Tools
Tools like Screaming Frog and Ahrefs can help you identify which pages have the ‘noindex’ tag applied.
4. Manual Check
View the page source or HTTP headers to find the meta tag.
How to Fix the Issue
1. Remove the ‘noindex’ Tag
- Locate the ‘noindex’ tag in the HTML.
- Remove it from the
<head>section.
2. Update HTTP Headers
If the ‘noindex’ directive is set in the HTTP header, update or remove it.
3. Adjust CMS Settings
- For WordPress: Check the Reading Settings or use plugins like Yoast SEO to control indexing.
- For other CMS: Review documentation or contact support.
4. Resubmit URLs
- Use the URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console.
- Request reindexing for affected pages.
5. Monitor Changes
- Regularly audit your site to ensure no unintentional ‘noindex’ tags are applied.
- Use automated tools to track indexing issues.
Best Practices for Using the ‘noindex’ Tag
- Plan Your Indexing Strategy
- Clearly identify which pages should be indexed or excluded.
- Use Canonical Tags Instead of ‘noindex’ for Duplicates
- Guide search engines to the preferred version of a page.
- Regular Audits
- Use SEO tools and Google Search Console to spot indexing issues early.
- Communicate with Your Team
- Ensure developers and content creators understand when to use the ‘noindex’ tag.
- Test Before Deployment
- Review tags on staging environments before pushing updates live.
FAQs About the ‘noindex’ Tag
- What does the ‘noindex’ tag do?
The ‘noindex’ tag prevents a page from appearing in search engine results.
- How do I know if a page is excluded by ‘noindex’?
Use Google Search Console or SEO tools to check the page’s indexing status.
- Can I use ‘noindex’ with ‘nofollow’?
Yes, combining both tells search engines not to index the page or follow its links.
- Where should I place the ‘noindex’ tag?
Place it in the section of the HTML or use HTTP headers.
- Does ‘noindex’ affect crawl budget?
Yes, search engines may crawl but not index the page, using some crawl budget.
- Can search engines ignore the ‘noindex’ tag?
Most major search engines respect the ‘noindex’ tag.
- How long does it take for Google to process a ‘noindex’ change?
Typically, changes are processed during the next crawl, which can take days to weeks.
- Is the ‘noindex’ tag different from blocking in robots.txt?
Yes, robots.txt prevents crawling, while ‘noindex’ allows crawling but excludes from indexing.
- Can I apply ‘noindex’ to a section of a page?
No, the ‘noindex’ tag applies to the entire page.
- What’s the difference between ‘noindex’ and ‘disallow’?
- ‘noindex’ excludes from search results.
- ‘disallow’ prevents crawling entirely.
- Will removing ‘noindex’ improve rankings?
Removing the tag allows the page to be indexed but doesn’t guarantee better rankings.
- How can I check if Google respects my ‘noindex’ tag?
Use the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console.
- Can I use ‘noindex’ for soft 404s?
Yes, it’s better to use a 404 status code for pages that shouldn’t exist.
- Does ‘noindex’ affect internal linking?
Links remain crawlable but may lose value if the page isn’t indexed.
- Can I ‘noindex’ pages temporarily?
Yes, remove the tag when you’re ready for the pages to be indexed.
- How does ‘noindex’ impact site authority?
Excluding low-value pages can improve overall site authority.
- Should I ‘noindex’ thin content?
Yes, if the content doesn’t provide value, consider excluding it.
- Can I use ‘noindex’ on my homepage?
It’s not recommended unless the homepage is intentionally private.
- What happens if I ‘noindex’ a page with backlinks?
The page won’t appear in search results, but the backlinks may still pass value.
- How can I audit my site for ‘noindex’ issues?
Use tools like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to identify and resolve issues.
- Does ‘noindex’ apply to mobile and desktop versions?
Yes, the directive applies universally to both versions.
- Can I add ‘noindex’ through Google Tag Manager?
No, it’s better to apply the tag directly in the HTML or HTTP headers.
- What’s the best tool for managing ‘noindex’ tags?
Tools like Screaming Frog and Yoast SEO are great for managing ‘noindex’ tags.
- Is ‘noindex’ outdated?
No, it’s still a valid and effective method to control indexing.
- Can I remove ‘noindex’ tags in bulk?
Yes, you can use scripts or bulk edit features in CMS platforms to remove ‘noindex’ tags efficiently.
By understanding and properly managing the ‘noindex’ tag, you can ensure your website’s content strategy aligns with your SEO goals. Regular audits and strategic implementation are key to maintaining a healthy search engine presence.
