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What is Indexing? Complete Guide to Search Engine Index Process and Optimization

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What should you do if you've created a website but it doesn't appear in Google search? The answer lies in indexing. Indexing, which occurs after crawling, is the core process of search exposure. What is indexing?

What is Indexing?​

Indexing is the process where search engines analyze content from crawled web pages and store it in a database. It's like classifying books in a library and registering them in a catalog. Search engines only provide search results from indexed pages, so indexing is a prerequisite for search exposure.

Features of Indexing​

  • Content Analysis: Analyzes text, images, videos, etc. on the page to identify topics and keywords.
  • Selective Storage: Not all crawled pages are indexed; low-quality or duplicate content may be excluded.
  • Structured Storage: Page information is structured and stored in a form optimized for search.
  • Metadata Collection: Metadata such as title, description, date, and author are stored together.
  • Update Reflection: When page content changes, the index is also updated.

Indexing Optimization Methods​

  • Write High-Quality Content: Original and useful content has a higher chance of being indexed.
  • Optimize Meta Tags: Properly set meta tags such as title, description, and keywords.
  • Use Structured Data: Use Schema.org markup to help search engines better understand content.
  • Improve URL Structure: Use clear and meaningful URLs.
  • Request Indexing: You can request indexing through the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console.
  • Check noindex Tags: Make sure noindex tags aren't accidentally set on important pages.

Indexing Examples​

<!-- Meta tags allowing indexing -->
<head>
  <meta name="robots" content="index, follow">
  <title>Indexing Optimization Guide</title>
  <meta name="description" content="Learn how to optimize search engine indexing.">
</head>
<!-- Meta tags blocking indexing -->
<head>
  <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow">
</head>
<!-- Structured data example (Schema.org) -->
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Article",
  "headline": "What is Indexing?",
  "author": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "John Doe"
  },
  "datePublished": "2024-01-15"
}
</script>

How to check indexing:

  1. Search site:yourdomain.com on Google
  2. Check coverage report in Google Search Console
  3. Check indexing status of specific pages with URL inspection tool

Indexing Advantages, Disadvantages, and Considerations​

Advantages​

  • Search Exposure Possible: Only indexed pages can appear in search results.
  • Fast Search: Fast search speeds using pre-indexed data.
  • Accurate Results: Content is analyzed and classified to provide accurate search results.

Considerations​

  • Possible Index Rejection: May not be indexed if judged as low-quality content, duplicate content, or spam.
  • Time Required: New pages can take several days to several weeks to be indexed.
  • Sensitive Information Caution: Once indexed, deletion isn't immediate, so sensitive information should be prevented from being indexed from the start.

FAQ​

Q: How long does it take for a page to be indexed? A: Generally takes several days to several weeks, but can be faster if you request indexing in Google Search Console.

Q: How do I remove an indexed page? A: You can add a noindex meta tag or use Google Search Console's URL removal tool.

Q: Can a page be crawled but not indexed? A: Yes, it can be crawled but indexing can be rejected for reasons such as content quality or duplication.

Q: How do I check indexing status? A: You can check in Google Search Console's coverage report or URL inspection tool.

Indexing is a core step in search engine exposure. Even if crawling is done well, if indexing doesn't happen, pages won't appear in search results, so you need to pay attention to index optimization.