How to Fix ‘Crawled – Currently Not Indexed’ in Google Search Console: A Comprehensive Guide

Key Takeaways

• ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’ means Google saw your page but chose not to rank it. This usually points to weak content, low value or technical gaps that stop Google from trusting the page.
• Content quality drives indexing. Pages with thin, copied or off-topic content rarely enter Google’s index.
• Technical health and structure still matter. Slow pages, weak internal links, missing sitemap entries and mobile issues all reduce Google’s willingness to index your pages.
• Smart internal linking boosts page value. Links from high-authority pages guide Googlebot and signal which pages deserve priority.
• A clear, step-by-step fix speeds up results. When you improve content, fix technical errors and request reindexing at the right time, you give Google the best reason to add your page to the index.

Monitoring your website’s health forms a key part of professional SEO management. When you use Google Search Console, you may notice the status ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’ in your reports. Many site owners and digital marketers find this status concerning. 

This means Googlebot has visited the page. It read the text, checked the images and followed the links. But Google decided not to include the page in its index, the large database of pages that can appear in search results.

Understanding this status is important for your SEO performance. Pages outside the index cannot rank. If they don’t rank, they can’t bring traffic or leads. Our SEO resources explain that this isn’t a permanent problem. Instead, it signals that the page needs improvement.

Google uses a merit system. It wants to show the most helpful and useful pages. If a page is crawled but not indexed, it likely doesn’t meet Google’s standards for value or quality.

That’s why we’re here at Roots Digital to guide you through fixing this issue! We also explain the steps our expert team uses to get pages into live search results. Keep reading to learn more about optimising your pages effectively.

Understanding ‘Crawled – Currently Not Indexed’

Before fixing this issue, it’s important to understand what this status means. Google’s indexing process happens in stages:

• Discovery – Google finds a page through links or sitemaps.
• Crawl – Googlebot visits the page, reads the content, checks images and follows links.
• Indexing – Google decides whether the page should be added to its search index, making it eligible to appear in results.

When your Page Indexing Report shows ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’, Google has already completed the first two stages. It has found your page and read its content. Google doesn’t include it in the index because it chose not to, not because it cannot find or access the page.

This status differs from ‘Discovered – currently not indexed’. In that case, Google has found the page but has not visited it yet. When a page shows ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’, Google has read it but chose not to add it to search results, so the page cannot rank.

According to Rankpage, Google indexes pages that meet its standards for quality, uniqueness and usefulness. Understanding this status lets you identify pages that need improvement and focus on actions that boost indexing and search visibility.

Primary Reasons Why Google Chooses Not to Index a Crawled Page

Understanding why Google rejects a page is the only way to implement a lasting fix. You must view the page through the search engine’s perspective. Google allocates its resources to the best content. If your page doesn’t stand out, Google may set it aside. 

At Roots Digital, we divide these reasons into three main pillars. Examining each helps you identify why your page remains stuck.

Quality and Value Issues

Google prioritises content that provides clear value to users. Pages with low value are unlikely to be indexed. 

The main causes include:

• Thin content

Google treats pages with little original or useful content, such as short blog posts or category pages, as low-value. Expand these pages with detailed explanations or unique insights to make them more valuable. You can also leverage comprehensive SEO content services to improve your pages and boost indexing potential.

• Duplicate content

Google reduces the value of pages that duplicate content from other pages, either within your site or externally. You can fix this by merging duplicate pages or using canonical tags to indicate the preferred version.

• Low-quality or unengaging content

Google may skip pages that are hard to read, poorly structured or fail to answer user questions. Always follow Google’s quality guidelines to improve your content, increase the chances of indexing and show that your page provides real value.

Technical and Structural Issues

Even if your content is excellent, technical issues can block indexing. Googlebot is software, so it needs a clear path to follow. 

Here are the common technical and structural issues to check:

• Poor internal linking: Google may treat pages that lack links from high-value pages as unimportant. A study by JetOctopus found that improving internal linking increased Googlebot crawl rates by 30%, resulting in more pages being indexed.
• Missing from XML sitemap: Google may deprioritise pages that aren’t included in your sitemap. Adding all relevant URLs ensures Google recognises the page as important.
• Slow page load time: Pages that load slowly can reduce Google’s willingness to crawl and index them. Optimise images, enable caching and improve server response times to help Google crawl your site more efficiently.
• Mobile usability issues: Google uses mobile-first indexing. Ensure your pages work well on all devices to maintain indexing priority.

Resource Allocation and Crawl Budget

Google cannot crawl every page on the web every day. It assigns a crawl budget to your site, which determines how much time and resources Googlebot spends on your domain. If your site has many low-quality pages, Googlebot may use up its budget before reaching your most important content. 

You must manage this budget carefully and prioritise high-value pages. As Google explains, it balances ‘Crawl Demand’ (the pages it wants to crawl) with ‘Crawl Capacity’ (the number of pages your server can handle). This protects your site’s performance while Googlebot crawls it.

Actionable Steps to Fix ‘Crawled – Currently Not Indexed’

Now that we have identified the issue, we can focus on the solution. Fixing these errors requires a systematic approach. Start by improving content quality, then address technical health. Each step below follows Google’s crawling recommendations and our team’s proven SEO best practices.

Step 1: Analyse and Enhance Content Quality

Improving content is the most powerful way to fix ‘Crawled – Currently Not Indexed.’ Focusing on content first ensures that technical fixes will be meaningful. Once your content meets quality standards, Google will be more likely to index your page and rank it.

Here’s how to strengthen your content:

• Audit for thin content

Google may ignore pages with fewer than 300 words or limited unique value. Expand these pages with detailed explanations, real examples or insights your audience cannot find elsewhere.

• Resolve duplicate content

If similar content exists on other sites, make your page more thorough and original. For instance, add case studies, step-by-step guides or unique tips that set your content apart.

• Improve E-E-A-T

Google evaluates experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness. Ensure content is accurate, updated and written by someone with relevant knowledge. Always follow Google Search Essentials guidelines to create content that’s helpful and valued by users.

• Align with search intent

Ensure your content answers the questions users ask. For example, if someone searches for ‘best running shoes,’ a page only about ‘shoe laces’ will not rank. Always deliver precise, relevant answers to the user’s search intent to meet their needs and satisfy Google’s quality expectations.

Step 2: Boost Internal Linking and Page Authority

Internal links guide Googlebot from one page to the next. If a page has no links, the bot may not find it or may treat it as a dead end. These are called ‘orphan pages.’ You must give these pages more authority by linking to them from your most important pages.

For example, if your home page attracts a lot of traffic, linking from it to a new blog passes some of that authority to the new page. This signals to Google that the page is valuable and worth crawling.

Check out these practical tips to boost internal linking:

• Identify high-authority pages: Look for pages that already rank well and attract traffic. Link from these pages to the ones that need indexing. This spreads authority and signals to Google that your content is valuable. When planning which pages to prioritise, consider how Google ranking works. 

• Link strategically: Use descriptive anchor text with relevant keywords. Place links where users naturally expect them, such as in related articles or key sections of a page.

• Use navigation: Make sure all important pages appear in menus, footers or category pages. Users and Googlebot should reach these pages within two to three clicks from the homepage.

Step 3: Verify Technical Health

A site must perform well for Google to trust it. If your technical setup is broken or disorganised, Googlebot may stop crawling. We call this the ‘health’ of your site. It includes how fast your pages load and how easily your site communicates with the bot.

Speed plays a critical role in site health. Research from Deloitte shows that even a 0.1-second improvement can boost results. Faster pages not only improve user engagement and conversions but also encourage Google to crawl your site more often.

Use this table to check your technical health:

Step 4: Request Reindexing in Google Search Console

Once you resolve technical issues, request reindexing. You don’t need to wait for Googlebot to crawl the page naturally. However, avoid doing this too early, as it wastes time if the page still has problems. Ensure your content and technical updates are complete before requesting indexing.

Follow these steps to get your page back in the index:

• Open Search Console: Log in and go to the URL Inspection tool at the top.

• Paste the URL: Enter the link to the page that isn’t indexed.

• Run a live test: Click the ‘Test Live URL’ button to confirm that your fixes are working.

• Request indexing: If the test passes, click the button to submit your page. 

Important note: Don’t overuse this option. Request indexing only after improving your SEO content and updating technical elements. This gives your page the best chance to appear in search results.

Checklist for Troubleshooting

It’s important to have a smart checklist to track your work. It prevents you from repeating the same errors. Moreover, following a clear plan saves time and delivers results faster. 

Review this table to identify the best fix for each problem:

Addressing each of these issues increases the chances that Google moves your pages into the main index. A structured approach ensures you improve both content quality and technical health, making fixes effective. This checklist also helps your team track progress over time, so you can troubleshoot crawling issues like a pro.

Final Thoughts

Addressing the ‘Crawled – currently not indexed’ status is essential for any website owner who takes SEO seriously. It demands both technical skills and a strong content strategy. By providing real value to your users and removing technical barriers, you make your site fully visible to Google.

Maintaining consistency is crucial for strong SEO performance. When Google indexes your pages, they appear in search results, attract clicks and drive traffic. By offering high-quality content and well-structured pages, you turn indexing from a challenge into a growth tool.

If you want to build your expertise in SEO and digital marketing, now is the best time to learn! Developing greater skills lets you optimise content, strengthen site structure and increase your search visibility over time.

Fix Indexing Gaps and Unlock Growth with Roots Digital

If you find the technical aspects of website and SEO growth to be a challenge, you don’t have to face them alone. Our advanced SEO services are designed to handle the complexities of indexing and ranking so you can focus on your business.

As a Certified Google Partner, Roots Digital stay ahead of the latest algorithm changes. We are an award-winning SEO and digital marketing agency dedicated to clear communication and measurable results.

Work with us to ensure your website reaches its full potential. We can help you turn your non-indexed pages into high-performing assets!