Indexing
Definition
Indexing refers to the way search engines like Google process and store information about web pages in their database (or index). When a page is indexed, it means it's eligible to appear in search results for relevant queries.
Google Search Console provides tools and reports to help you understand your site's indexing status. This includes the Index Coverage report, which shows which pages have been indexed and any issues preventing indexing. Proper indexing is crucial for SEO, as pages that aren't indexed won't appear in search results, regardless of their quality or relevance.
Related Terms
Crawling
Crawling is the process by which search engines discover and scan web pages, collecting information to index and rank content.
Sitemap
A Sitemap is a file that lists a website's important pages, images, and files, helping search engines understand your site structure and content.
URL Inspection
The URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console allows you to check the index status of a specific URL and request indexing if needed.