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If you’re wondering how to get Google to index your site faster, there are a few ways you can help the process along.
Getting your website indexed by Google is absolutely necessary if you want your content to show up in search results. But what exactly does “indexed” mean? Simply put, when Google indexes your site, it scans your pages, stores the information, and makes them eligible to appear in search results.
While Google will eventually crawl your site on its own, waiting around isn’t the best strategy. The good news? If you don’t have other crawlability issues, you can take proactive steps to speed up the indexing process, whether your pages are brand new or you just need Google to reindex your website after a redesign.
Index Your Site Faster With WordPress Search Engine Visibility Settings
If your website runs on WordPress (which powers over 40% of the internet), this step is a must. WordPress has a setting that, if enabled, tells search engines not to index your site (something you definitely don’t want if you’re looking to get found online).
Here’s how to check:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings > Reading.
- Look for the Search Engine Visibility setting.
- If the box is checked, uncheck it.
When this setting is checked, it essentially tells Google, “Ignore my site,” which is the opposite of what you want. Unchecking it allows Google to crawl and index your website sooner.
Set Up an XML Sitemap To Help Google Index Your Site Quicker
A sitemap is like a roadmap for search engines, helping them understand the structure of your website. If Google can’t easily navigate your site, it may take longer to index your content.
For WordPress users, plugins make this process simple. A great option is Yoast SEO, a widely used tool that creates an XML sitemap automatically.
To set it up:
- Install and activate the Yoast SEO plugin.
- Go to Yoast Settings and find the APIs section.
- Ensure the XML Sitemap feature is enabled.
This ensures that Google always has the latest version of your website’s structure, making it easier (and faster) for your content to get indexed.
Submit Your Site to Google Search Console for Faster Indexing
Even with index automation in place, sometimes you’ll want to manually alert Google to changes on your site—especially if you’ve published a new page or updated existing content.
Google Search Console lets you do exactly that. Here’s how to request indexing for a specific page:
- Log in to Google Search Console.
- In the search bar at the top, enter the URL of the page you want indexed.
- Click Request Indexing.
This tells Google to scan the page immediately rather than waiting for its next scheduled crawl. If you’ve made updates to a page that’s already indexed, requesting a reindex ensures those changes appear in search results sooner.
For WordPress users, the Site Kit by Google plugin makes this process even easier by linking your website to Google Search Console directly. If you’re using Shopify, Wix, or another platform, you can still connect your site to Google Search Console manually and take advantage of the indexing feature.
Get Google To Index Your Site Faster and Start Ranking
Waiting for Google to index your site can be frustrating, but you have ways to help speed up the process and increase your chances of showing up in search results sooner. Using all three methods together is a surefire way to get Google to index your site faster and give you a solid head start.
Need more help with SEO services and optimizing your website for better rankings? Schedule an SEO consultation with one of our BKA SEO experts today, and we’ll create a custom plan that boosts your visibility and draws more visitors.
Greg Secrist has worked in the SEO and content creation industry since 2009. He is the CEO and co-founder of BKA Content, an industry leading content creation services company. Greg is also a passionate tech geek, web designer, marketing pro and SEO expert.
