Getting your website pages indexed by Google
is fundamental to your SEO success. However, even well-maintained websites can encounter indexing issues that prevent pages from appearing in search results. Google Search Console's Index Coverage Report is your diagnostic tool for identifying and resolving these problems. Understanding how to read this report and fix common errors can mean the difference between a thriving online presence and invisible content.
In this guide, we'll walk through everything you need to know about the Index Coverage Report, from understanding different page statuses to fixing the most common indexing errors that could be hurting your search visibility.
What Is the Google Search Console Index Coverage Report?
The Index Coverage Report is a comprehensive diagnostic tool within Google Search Console that shows you which pages Google has successfully indexed, which pages have issues, and which pages are intentionally excluded from Google's index. It categorizes your URLs into four main groups: Valid, Valid with Warnings, Excluded, and Error pages.
This report gives you visibility into how Googlebot crawls and indexes your website, helping you identify technical issues, configuration problems, and content quality concerns that might be preventing your pages from ranking in search results.
When Should You Use the Index Coverage Report?
You should check the Index Coverage Report regularly as part of your ongoing SEO maintenance. Specifically, check this report when you notice a sudden drop in organic traffic, after launching new content or site updates, when restructuring your website, or if you suspect indexing problems. Monthly checks are recommended for most websites, while larger sites with frequent updates may benefit from weekly reviews.
Understanding the Index Coverage Report
Valid Pages
These are pages that Google has successfully crawled and added to its index without any issues.
Submitted and indexed
This is the ideal status. Pages marked this way were submitted through your sitemap and have been successfully indexed. These pages can appear in Google search results.
Indexed, not submitted in sitemap
These pages have been indexed but weren't included in your sitemap. While not necessarily problematic, you should verify whether these pages should be in your sitemap or if they're being discovered through internal links.
Valid Pages With Warnings
Pages in this category are indexed but have minor issues that you should address.
Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt
Google has indexed these pages despite robots.txt blocking them. This creates a conflict in your site's instructions. You should either remove the robots.txt block or use a noindex tag if you truly don't want the page indexed.
Indexed without content
Google indexed these pages but couldn't extract meaningful content from them. This often happens with JavaScript-heavy pages that don't render properly for Googlebot or pages with minimal text content.
Excluded Pages
Excluded pages aren't in Google's index, which may be intentional or indicate a problem.
Alternate page with proper canonical tag
These pages correctly point to a canonical version elsewhere, so Google excluded them from indexing. This is normal and expected for duplicate content management.
Blocked by page removal tool
You or someone with access to your Search Console account requested these pages be temporarily removed from search results.
Blocked by robots.txt
Your robots.txt file instructs Google not to crawl these pages. Verify this is intentional.
Blocked due to access forbidden (403)
The server returned a 403 error, denying Googlebot access to these pages.
Blocked due to unauthorized request (401)
These pages require authentication, which Googlebot cannot provide.
Blocked due to other 4xx issue
The pages returned a client error other than 401, 403, or 404.
Crawl anomaly
Google encountered an unusual issue while crawling. This usually resolves on its own, but persistent anomalies need investigation.
Crawled – currently not indexed
Google crawled these pages but decided not to index them, often due to low quality, thin content, or duplicate content issues.
Discovered – currently not indexed
Google found these URLs but hasn't crawled them yet, typically due to crawl budget limitations or low perceived value.
Duplicate without user-selected canonical
Google detected duplicate content without a canonical tag to indicate the preferred version.
Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user
You specified a canonical URL, but Google selected a different one based on signals it considers more authoritative.
Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical
The URL in your sitemap is a duplicate, and Google chose a different version as the canonical.
Excluded by 'noindex' tag
Your page includes a noindex meta tag or X-Robots-Tag header, instructing Google not to index it.
Not found (404)
The page returns a 404 error. Remove these URLs from your sitemap if they're listed there.
Page with redirect
The URL redirects to another location. Redirected URLs shouldn't be in your sitemap.
Soft 404
The page returns a success code but appears to be an error page, confusing Google.
Page removed because of legal complaint
Google removed the page due to a legal request, such as a DMCA takedown.
Error Pages
These require immediate attention as they prevent important pages from being indexed.
Redirect error
The redirect chain is broken or creates a loop.
Server error (5xx)
Your server returned a 500-series error when Google tried to access the page.
Submitted URL blocked by robots.txt
You submitted this URL in your sitemap but also blocked it in robots.txt—a direct conflict.
Submitted URL blocked due to other 4xx issue
A URL in your sitemap returns a 4xx error (other than 404).
Submitted URL has crawl issue
Google encountered a technical problem while trying to crawl a submitted URL.
Submitted URL marked 'noindex'
You submitted this URL in your sitemap but marked it with noindex—another conflict.
Submitted URL not found (404)
A URL in your sitemap returns a 404 error. Remove it from your sitemap or restore the page.
Submitted URL seems to be a Soft 404
A submitted URL appears to be an error page despite returning a 200 status code.
Submitted URL returned 403
Your server denied access to a URL you submitted in your sitemap.
Submitted URL returns unauthorized request (401)
A submitted URL requires authentication that prevents indexing.
Index Coverage Report FAQs
What information does the Index Coverage report contain?
The report contains the indexing status of all URLs Google has discovered on your website, categorized by status type (Valid, Warning, Excluded, Error), specific issue types, examples of affected URLs, and trends over time showing how indexing status has changed.
How often should you check the Index Coverage report?
For most websites, monthly reviews are sufficient. However, you should check more frequently (weekly or even daily) during website migrations, after major site updates, when launching significant new content, or if you notice sudden traffic changes. Large enterprise sites with thousands of pages may benefit from automated monitoring.
Why are so many pages marked as "Excluded"?
Having excluded pages isn't necessarily bad. Many exclusions are intentional and healthy, such as alternate versions with proper canonicals, pages blocked by noindex tags, or redirected URLs. However, if important pages appear as excluded, investigate whether the exclusion is intentional or indicates a configuration problem.
Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Pages Indexed and Healthy
The Index Coverage Report is one of your most powerful tools for maintaining a healthy, search-visible website. By regularly monitoring this report and addressing issues promptly, you ensure that Google can discover, crawl, and index your most important content. Remember that not all exclusions are problems—strategic use of canonical tags, noindex directives, and robots.txt is part of good SEO practice.
Make reviewing the Index Coverage Report a regular part of your SEO routine. When you spot errors, prioritize fixing issues affecting submitted URLs first, as these represent pages you've explicitly told Google are important. With consistent attention to indexing health, you'll maintain strong search visibility and catch technical problems before they impact your organic traffic.