Why Does Google Take So Long to Index My Website?
Why Does Google Take So Long to Index My Website?
If you've recently launched a website or published new content, you've probably asked the frustrating question: “Why is Google taking so long to index my site?” You’re not alone. Many website owners, especially those just starting out, experience delays before their pages show up in Google search results. But why does this happen, and what can you do to speed things up?
1. Google Doesn’t Crawl Everything Instantly
First, it’s important to understand how indexing works. Before your site can appear in search results, Google’s bots (also called spiders or crawlers) have to discover, crawl, and index your content.
This doesn’t happen instantly. Google prioritizes websites based on factors like authority, relevance, structure, and crawlability. For brand-new sites or pages with low traffic, crawling may take longer.
2. New Sites Have No Authority Yet
When your website is new, it has zero trust or authority in Google's eyes. It hasn't earned backlinks, engagement, or history. That means Google isn’t in a rush to crawl and index it, because there’s no immediate signal of importance.
It’s like trying to get into a VIP party without an invite—Google just doesn’t know you yet.
3. Lack of Backlinks and Mentions
Backlinks are like recommendations. If other trusted websites link to yours, it tells Google your content is worth crawling. A site with quality backlinks is more likely to be crawled and indexed faster than one with none.
If no one is linking to your site, Google’s bots may not even know it exists—especially if it’s not submitted via Google Search Console.
4. Technical Issues Can Block Indexing
Sometimes it's not about trust or authority—it's about access. Here are a few common technical problems that can slow or stop indexing:
- Noindex tags accidentally added to pages
- Robots.txt file blocking bots
- Slow page load speed or server errors
- Broken internal links
- Poor mobile usability
Use tools like Google Search Console and a site audit tool (like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs) to catch and fix these issues.
5. Thin or Duplicate Content
Google prioritizes high-quality, original content. If your site has lots of duplicate pages, spun content, or "thin" articles with little substance, Google may skip over them or take longer to evaluate them.
Aim to create helpful, original content that serves a clear purpose and offers value to your audience.
6. Irregular Publishing or Site Updates
Websites that consistently publish fresh content are more likely to be visited by Google’s bots. If your site has gone weeks or months without updates, Google may crawl it less often, resulting in slower indexing.
Consistency builds trust—and encourages Google to check back more frequently.
Recent Comments
19
Google has seemed to have stopped indexing personal blogs. I have 48 posts and request indexing immediately after posting them just like Kyle said to do in the core training.
Nothing. The site is a only almost four months old, but still.
This is t my first site and I am not new to this. Also, once you get around 35 to 45 posts, you may get an email from Google saying there's a problem.
As mentioned above, no index tabs notifications will start showing up on your email.
Now, I have been doing this for YEARS and I am still waiting for someone to tell me how to fix that one.
Do whatever Google tells you and it still won't get fixed.
I even request indexing in bing. Same issue.
And as for authority, you can have 100% trust with Google and still have almost no authority.
That also happened to me once.
I'll put a website here later that lets you check your site authority.
And backlinks? Never have been able to get those. Perhaps it takes YEARS or DECADES.
Ya, my first website that I launched in 2014 only took about 4-5 weeks to get indexed. My new website that is only about 5-6 weeks old with 42 posts and 3 pages is taking longer than anticipated. I have 7 posts that Google is saying they have a no-index issue, but they don't. They are even saying my main feed has a no-index issue. I don't want to keep submitting site support tickets but I might have to have it looked at. I don't want to go messing around with my SEO plugin and make things worse.
Don't bother site support with a Google issue. You have to try and find other ways to get eyes on your site.
Google is a joke now but at the same time your blog will make no money if people aren't seeing it AND buying.
True, but sad reality. Most of my 600+ articles (2017-2025) are not indexed for unknown reasons. Google console says unknown errors.
John
It almost seems like the sponsored spots and top YouTube videos consume the entire 1st page. Sounds like $$ are the real driver of how content gets indexed in Google.
Starting to look like they reward the big players that will spend money on sponsored spots and YouTube content with lots of followers.
Thanks for this information, Jason. As someone sitting waiting for Google to find my articles, it's good to know I'm not alone. Take care. Gail
You are definitely not alone. I have noticed that Bing has indexed some of my content and on the 1 spot page 2. Not ideal but at least Bing is noticing my content. I'm also in a highly competitive niche, so I know patience is going to have to be exercised on my end.
Patience doesn't stand a chance against a niche that is highly saturated.
Plus, people, for the most part, just don't seem to care to buy things through new, personal blogs anymore.
Saturation is a massive issue for bloggers now.
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I remember when I felt impatience about my website getting indexed but once I saw all those Gs next to my posts, I was soooo happy. My problem now is TIK TOK.. When I google my website, I see 4 or 5 TIK TOK links then one of mine then 3 or 4 TIK TOK kinks then one or two of mine. TIK TOK is my nemesis. MAC.
I do believe that Tik Tok is for young people. Not a good audience unless you're into silly things.
It does look silly to me from what little I have seen of it.