How to Fix "Crawled - Currently Not Indexed" in Google Search Console

If you’ve been diving into your Google Search Console (GSC) reports, you’ve likely encountered the “Crawled - Currently Not Indexed” status. While this isn’t inherently an error, it does indicate a potential issue preventing your pages from appearing in Google’s search results. For SEO professionals and website owners, resolving this issue can unlock valuable organic traffic.

In this article, we'll break down what this status means, why it occurs, and how to fix it.

What Does "Crawled - Currently Not Indexed" Mean?

This status in GSC shows that Google has crawled a page but decided not to include it in its index. Simply put, your page exists and is visible to Google, but it’s not deemed valuable enough (at least at the moment) to be included in the search results.

Why Does This Happen?

There are several reasons why your pages might fall into this category:

1. Thin Content: Pages with little to no value for users.
2. Duplicate Content: Content that closely resembles or replicates other pages.
3. Low Quality: Pages with poor user experience, such as excessive ads or spammy layouts.
4. Slow Page Load Times: A slow-loading page can deter Google from prioritizing it.
5. Lack of Backlinks: Pages without internal or external links might be overlooked.
6. Crawling Priorities: Google may prioritize other pages over yours due to limited crawl budgets.

Steps to Fix the Issue

Here are actionable steps to resolve the “Crawled - Currently Not Indexed” status:

1. Audit the Affected Pages

• Use GSC’s URL Inspection Tool to check why a page is not indexed.
• Look for potential red flags, such as errors, content quality, or loading speed.

2. Enhance Content Quality

• Make sure the content is unique, informative, and valuable to your audience.
• Include engaging visuals, proper formatting, and clear structure.

3. Optimize Technical SEO

• Check for errors like broken links or incorrect canonical tags.
• Ensure the page is mobile-friendly and has a fast load time.

4. Build Internal and External Links

• Link to the affected pages from high-priority pages on your site.
• Acquire backlinks from reputable websites to improve page authority.

5. Submit to Google for Reindexing

• After making changes, use the “Request Indexing” feature in GSC.
• Monitor the status of the page in GSC to see if the issue is resolved.

6. Monitor Your Crawl Budget

• Consolidate duplicate pages to avoid wasting Google’s crawl resources.
• Use robots.txt to block low-value pages from being crawled.

Long-Term Prevention

To prevent future occurrences of this issue:

• Regularly audit your website for thin, outdated, or duplicate content.
• Maintain a strong internal linking structure.
• Monitor GSC reports and address crawling or indexing anomalies promptly.

The “Crawled - Currently Not Indexed” status can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity to refine your website. By improving content quality, optimizing technical SEO, and enhancing user experience, you can improve your chances of getting indexed and driving more organic traffic.

If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t let it discourage you—use it as a chance to strengthen your website’s overall SEO strategy.

What strategies have worked for you in addressing this issue? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!