Why aren’t some of my landing pages showing up when I type my website into the search console, even though I submitted them manually through the console account?
Short Answer: Google no longer tries to index every page on the web; instead, it focuses only on pages it deems relevant and valuable for the end user. If your landing pages don’t provide meaningful content or add value, Google might decide not to index them, which means they won’t show up in search results even if you submitted them manually.
Full Explanation
In the past, Google attempted to index the entire web, striving to collect information from as many pages as possible. However, this approach has shifted. Today, Google is more selective about the pages it stores and displays in search results. The key factor is relevance and value to the user. If a page is considered useful, offering detailed and specific information, Google indexes it and helps users find it in search results.
Conversely, pages that do not contribute significant value or appear to be low-quality content might not be indexed, even if they were submitted manually through Search Console. This change underscores the importance of creating content that genuinely benefits visitors.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Google evaluates the relevance of pages: Not every page submitted is treated equally; Google assesses if a page is helpful for users.
- Value to the user matters: Pages that provide detailed, well-structured, and specific information are more likely to be indexed.
- Manual submission isn’t a guarantee: Submitting landing pages through Search Console helps Google find them but doesn’t ensure indexing if the content lacks value.
- Indexing depends on Google’s judgment: Google ultimately decides which pages to include based on their perceived relevance.
Real Examples
If you have a landing page rich with focused content on a specific topic, providing users with thorough and relevant information, Google is likely to index and show it in search results. On the other hand, if a landing page consists of minimal or repetitive information that doesn’t provide much value beyond other pages on your site, it might be overlooked despite submission.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming submitting every landing page guarantees indexing.
- Creating landing pages with little to no unique or helpful content.
- Neglecting the quality and depth of information offered on those pages.
- Expecting Google to index pages regardless of their relevance to searchers.
FAQs
Q: If I submit a page manually, why isn’t it showing up?
Because submission prompts Google to crawl the page, but indexing depends on whether the content is deemed valuable and relevant.
Q: How does Google decide what is relevant?
Google considers if a page provides detailed and specific information that benefits users rather than superficial or redundant content.
Q: Can I force Google to index pages?
No, you can encourage indexing by improving content value, but final indexing decisions are made by Google.
Key Takeaways
- Google focuses on indexing pages that add value and relevance for users.
- Manual submission through Search Console helps but doesn’t guarantee indexing.
- Landing pages must provide detailed, specific, and useful information to be prioritized.
- Quality and user-focused content is essential for your landing pages to appear in search results.