What does Fetch as Google Mean in Google Webmaster Tools?
UPDATE: Since the publishing of this training blog in 2014, Google Webmaster Tools has changed its name to "GOOGLE SEARCH CONSOLE."
Fetch as Google or Googlebot, is a great free tool within the Google Webmaster Tools (GWT) that you can use when building and running your website. I personally use it every time I make an update to existing content on my website, and when I add new content. What are the benefits of using Fetch as Google?
There are several, and I will let Matt Cutts of Google explain some of them in the video at the end of this post, but let me explain why and how I use it. The reason why I use it is because I want my content to be indexed into Google as fast as possible. By using Fetch as Google and then Submit to Index, I am getting my content to be crawled by Googlebot quicker than waiting for Googlebot to make its rounds, so to speak.
HOW TO USE FETCH AS GOOGLE
After you have accessed the GWT information for your website, you will see the word “Crawl” in the left side menu, see above image.
You want to click on “Crawl” and that will bring up the next screen as seen in the image below.
You will then see in the left menu under “Crawl” the selection “Fetch as Google” (Arrow 1). You want to click on that and then the area where arrows 2 & 3 are, will appear. You now want to copy and paste the name of the page or post that you want Googlebot to crawl (Arrow 2). NOTE: You only want to copy and paste the extension name and not your home URL. Now click on “Fetch” (Arrow 3).
You will see a spinning loading wheel briefly and then your webpage will appear with added information. To the right of that information you will see a button that says “Submit to index” as seen in the image above. Click on that button.
That will bring up the selection screen you see above. Here you have two choices. You can either click on the top selection or the bottom selection. With the top selection you are telling Googlebot to crawl and index the webpage you selected. You get to use this feature 500 times a month, though Matt says in his video, 50 times a week. With the bottom selection you are telling Googlebot to not just crawl the webpage you selected but also the other webpages that your selected page is linked to. You get to only use this feature 10 times a month.
That is how and why I use “Fetch as Google” so Googlebot can crawl and index my updated and new content quicker than if I didn't do the fetch. For more information and reasons why you should use “Fetch as Google”, watch the below video from Matt Cutts of Google. Just click the picture. If you have any further questions or comments, please leave them below. Thanks!
Recent Comments
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Do you ever do the render option? I've tried it. It has always shown my sight correctly but finds scripts related to my social plugins and such that it can't index. I'm assuming that's not really a problem? I wouldn't imagine that hinders my ratings any does it?
No, I never use the render option and it doesn't surprise me that it can't index social plugin scripts. Googlebot has problems indexing content on most of the social networks except Google+, no surprise there since Google owns Google+
No it doesn't hinder your Google rankings.
Thank you so much for sharing this today. I had heard of Fetch As Google but never knew the details. Your instructions are very helpful. Best regards.
You are welcome Jeannie. I always try to be as simplistic in my explanations as possible. Happy you enjoyed the post.
I had no idea, Robert! Thank you so much!!! You explain things VERY clearly. Bookmarking this one, for sure!
You are welcome Carla! It is something I learned when I first started here from an Ambassador at that time. I use this simple free Google tool every single time I update my websites. It definitely speeds up the process of getting your content indexed.
Thank you sir! That will certainly come in handy from now on. Matt Cuts, like you, have a way of simplifying things so everyone can understand what he's talking about. It helps alot.
You are welcome Kathleen, glad you liked my blog. Simplicity is the best way to describe something that could seem complex. This is why I like using images to show you the easy step-by-steps.
You are welcome Melody. You will see that it is very easy and your content will get indexed into Google quicker.
Very informative post Boomer! From now on I'll do this every time I create new content. Thanks!
You are welcome Jonathan. It's a very easy and efficient way to get your content indexed into Google quicker. I use it all the time.
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Thanks Robert :)
You are welcome Evelyn.