Indexing

What is indexing and how to get your website indexed

Indexing is essentially the process of storing your website (and its individual pages) in a search engine’s database (Google, Seznam, etc.). Search engines can only recommend and display pages in search results if they are indexed.

You can think of a search engine as a large encyclopedia. Only the pages included in that encyclopedia (i.e. indexed) can appear in search results.

AI search works differently. It doesn’t crawl your entire website or store it in an index. Instead, it keeps information in its “active memory” and may recommend you when relevant.

How to get your website indexed 

To allow search engines to index your website, you need to make sure that search engine bots have access to your site.

Once that’s in place, you can request indexing through Google Search Console.

Follow this process every time you publish new content or update existing pages on your website.

How long does it take to index a web page

It depends on the type of website. If you run a large site that’s updated frequently, search engine bots (crawlers) may visit it often – even daily (as is common with news websites). If nothing has changed on your site for years, it can take weeks or even months before a crawler visits again.

That’s why it’s best not to wait, request indexing right away (see the video above).

What not to index on your website (noindex pages)

Search engine crawlers have a limited indexing capacity for your website and you don’t want to waste it on pages that don’t bring value. Typically, these include filtered pages, cart and checkout pages, or duplicate content.

For example, you don’t want users landing directly on your cart from search results. Instead, you want them to go through the proper flow – view a product, add it to the cart, and then proceed.

What is a sitemap

A sitemap (site map) is closely related to indexing. It’s a file that contains an overview of all your pages, subpages, and URLs. It helps search engines quickly understand and navigate your website.

Focus on a sitemap if you have a large website with a complex structure. Smaller websites are usually clear and easy for search engines to navigate.

If you want search engines and AI tools to recommend your website, make sure it’s properly indexed.

And if you want to learn more about SEO and AI SEO, check out the course.