You’ve launched your website, but it isn’t appearing on Google Search. Even searching for your business name brings up nothing. So, how do you get it listed? To get your website on Google Search, add it to Google Search Console, submit an XML sitemap and request indexing for your important pages. These tools are free to use.
Google still needs to find, crawl and index your content before it can appear in search results. Here’s how to complete each step and deal with any indexing problems.
How Do You Get Your Website on Google Search?
Google discovers websites through links, sitemaps and other sources. It then crawls accessible pages and decides which ones to index. Follow these six steps to help Google find your website:
- Check whether your website is already indexed.
- Set up Google Search Console.
- Verify ownership of your website.
- Submit your XML sitemap.
- Request indexing for important pages.
- Review your indexing results.
Step 1: Check If Your Website Is Already on Google
Start with a simple Google search using this command:
site:example.com
Replace example.com with your domain name. If Google displays pages from your website, at least some content is indexed. An empty result doesn’t always mean your entire site is missing. The site: operator isn’t a complete indexing report. You’ll get a more reliable result for an individual URL through Search Console’s URL Inspection tool.
Step 2: Add Your Website to Google Search Console
Google Search Console shows which pages are indexed and identifies problems affecting other URLs.
How to Set Up Google Search Console
Visit Google Search Console and follow these instructions:
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Click Start now.
- Open the property menu and select Add property.
- Choose Domain or URL prefix.
- Enter your website address and click Continue.
Which Property Type Should You Choose?
Both property types provide indexing data, but they cover different URLs.
| Property type | What it covers |
| Domain | All subdomains and HTTP/HTTPS versions |
| URL prefix | Only URLs beginning with the exact prefix entered |
A Domain property for example.com includes www.example.com and example.com. A URL-prefix property for https://example.com/ covers that specific address prefix. Domain is usually the better choice when you can access your DNS settings. It gives you wider coverage without adding separate properties.
Step 3: Verify Your Website Ownership
Before accessing Search Console reports, you must prove ownership of the website. Google offers different verification methods depending on your property type.
Verify Using a DNS Record
Domain properties require DNS verification. Google provides a TXT record that you add to your domain’s DNS settings. Sign in to your DNS provider, locate the DNS management section and add the record exactly as provided. Save the changes, return to Search Console and click Verify. If verification fails, confirm the record is correct. DNS changes can take time to become visible.
Verify Using an HTML Tag or File
URL-prefix properties also support HTML verification. You can upload Google’s verification file to your website’s root directory. Alternatively, place the supplied meta tag inside the HTML <head> section. Some WordPress SEO plugins provide a dedicated field for this tag. Keep your verification file, tag or DNS record active after setup. Removing it can cause you to lose verified ownership.
Step 4: Submit Your XML Sitemap to Google
An XML sitemap contains the website URLs you want search engines to discover. It’s particularly useful when Google hasn’t found all your pages.
How to Find Your Website Sitemap
Try opening this address in your browser:
https://example.com/sitemap.xml
For WordPress websites, the built-in sitemap may appear at:
https://example.com/wp-sitemap.xml
SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO and Rank Math commonly generate a sitemap index at:
https://example.com/sitemap_index.xml
The exact address depends on your website’s setup. Open the relevant URL and confirm it displays XML content rather than an error page.
How to Submit Your Sitemap in Search Console
Once you’ve located the correct file:
- Open your website property in Search Console.
- Select Sitemaps from the left menu.
- Enter your sitemap URL.
- Click Submit.
- Review the submission status.
A Success status means Google has processed the sitemap successfully. It doesn’t confirm that every listed URL has been indexed. Your sitemap should contain working, preferred URLs intended for indexing. Leave out deleted pages, redirects and URLs marked noindex.
Step 5: Request Indexing for Important Pages
Use Search Console’s URL Inspection tool to request indexing for individual URLs, particularly newly published pages.
How to Request Google Indexing
Open URL Inspection and enter the complete page address:
https://example.com/services/
Press Enter to view its current indexing information. If the URL isn’t indexed, select Test live URL. This checks whether Google can currently access the page. When the page is eligible, click Request indexing if the option is available. Google will consider crawling or recrawling the URL. Repeating the request won’t speed up the process. For larger websites, sitemap submission is a more practical way to help Google discover multiple pages.
Step 6: Review Your Website’s Indexing Results
Open Indexing > Pages in Google Search Console. This report shows the indexing status of URLs Google knows about. It also groups non-indexed pages by their reported reasons.
| Search Console status | Meaning |
| Indexed | The page is included in Google’s index |
| Discovered, currently not indexed | Google knows the URL but hasn’t crawled it |
| Crawled, currently not indexed | Google visited the URL without indexing it |
| Blocked by robots.txt | Crawling restrictions affect access |
| Excluded by noindex tag | An instruction prevents indexing |
| Duplicate, Google chose different canonical | Google selected another preferred URL |
Use URL Inspection when you need details about one specific page. Focus on your homepage, service pages and useful articles rather than trying to index every URL. Duplicate addresses and unnecessary URL variations don’t normally need separate indexing. Indexing doesn’t guarantee rankings. A page can be indexed without appearing prominently for your chosen search terms.
Why Is Your Website Not Showing Up on Google?
Start with the issue reported in URL Inspection. A crawling restriction, duplicate URL and server error each require a different solution.
1. Your Website Has a Noindex Tag
A noindex instruction tells Google not to add a page to its search index. It can appear in your HTML as:
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>
The same instruction can also be delivered through an HTTP response header. If the affected page should appear in search results, locate the rule in your website settings or code and remove it. Run Test live URL afterwards to confirm the restriction is no longer detected.
2. Your Robots.txt File Blocks Googlebot
The robots.txt file tells crawlers which website paths they can access.
Open:
https://example.com/robots.txt
These rules ask all compliant crawlers not to access any pages:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
This can prevent Googlebot from reading your website. Review the file for restrictions added during development or through website settings. Adjust any rules that accidentally block important public pages. Remember that robots.txt controls crawling rather than indexing directly. A blocked URL can sometimes appear in search results without Google reading its content.
3. Google Says Discovered, Currently Not Indexed
This means Google knows the URL exists but hasn’t crawled it. First, confirm the page appears in your sitemap and has an internal link from another relevant page. A service page should be reachable through your website’s navigation or service listings, rather than existing only in the sitemap. Also, inspect the server response for temporary access problems. If the URL is accessible and properly linked, allow time for Google to schedule crawling.
4. Google Says Crawled, Currently Not Indexed
Google has visited the URL but hasn’t included it in its index. This status doesn’t automatically indicate a technical fault. Review the page for duplicated information, missing useful details or substantial overlap with another URL. For example, several service pages that differ only by a location name may provide little distinct value. Improve the affected page with information specific to its purpose. Also inspect Google’s selected canonical URL to identify possible duplication.
Content improvements can support a fresh assessment, but they don’t guarantee indexing.
5. Google Has Selected Another Canonical URL
Google may find multiple addresses containing identical or similar content. For example:
https://example.com/service/
https://example.com/service/?source=menu
Google selects a preferred version, known as the canonical URL. In URL Inspection, compare the user-declared canonical with the Google-selected canonical. If both point to your preferred page, no change is normally needed. If Google has selected an unwanted version, review the canonical tag, internal links, redirects and sitemap entries. These signals should consistently favour your intended URL.
6. Your Website Returns a 404 or Server Error
A 404 response means the requested page wasn’t found. A 5xx error generally indicates a problem on the server. Either issue can prevent Google from accessing the intended content. Open the affected URL and inspect its HTTP response. If a page was accidentally deleted, restore it. If its address permanently changed, redirect the old URL to the relevant replacement. For server errors, investigate your hosting configuration and server logs.
After resolving the problem, test the URL again in Search Console.
How to Get a WordPress Website Indexed by Google Search
WordPress has a setting that can discourage search engines from indexing your content. In your WordPress dashboard, open Settings > Reading.
Find:
Discourage search engines from indexing this site Leave this option unchecked if your live website should appear on Google, then save your settings. Next, review page-level indexing controls in your SEO plugin. Yoast SEO and Rank Math can apply noindex rules to particular pages or content types. If you’ve recently moved from a staging website, confirm the live URLs and canonical settings are correct.
How Long Does It Take for a Website to Appear on Google Search?
There’s no fixed indexing timetable. According to Google’s crawling guidance, crawling can take a few days to a few weeks. Some pages take longer, and Google doesn’t guarantee that every URL will be indexed. For a newly launched website, allow time for discovery and crawling. If important pages remain missing, use their reported indexing statuses to investigate the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Google Search Console to Appear on Google Search?
No. Google can discover public websites through links without Search Console. However, the tool provides indexing reports and allows you to investigate individual URLs.
Why Does My Page Show as Indexed but Not Appear When I Search?
Being indexed doesn’t guarantee a prominent search position. Google’s results depend on the query and other ranking factors. Use Search Console’s Performance report to see whether your page receives search impressions.
Can I Submit a Website Without an XML Sitemap?
Yes. Google can discover pages through links, and Search Console allows indexing requests for individual URLs. A sitemap is particularly useful for helping Google discover multiple pages.
Need Help Getting Your Website on Google?
If important pages remain unindexed, Wixdek can help investigate crawling restrictions, canonical URL issues and Search Console errors. Visit Wixdek to discuss your website’s indexing problems.
