Why is my website not showing up on Google?

Is my website missing, or just ranking lower than I expected?

Being indexed and ranking well are different things. Indexing (opens in a new tab) means Google has added information about a page to its search index. Ranking (opens in a new tab) is where that page appears for a particular search.

For example, your website might appear when you search for your business name but be harder to find when you search for a service such as dog training in Edmonton. That doesn't necessarily mean the website is missing from Google.

What is the difference between crawling and indexing?

Crawling and indexing are two steps Google takes before a page can appear in search results:

• Crawling (opens in a new tab): Google's automated software, called Googlebot, visits a page and downloads its content.
• Indexing (opens in a new tab): Google processes that content, works out what the page is about and may store the information in its index.

Think of a search engine as a giant library. Finding a page's address is like learning that a book exists. Crawling is sending a book scout to read it. Indexing is cataloguing it so it can be found in the library.

Google can know a page's address before visiting it, and visiting a page doesn't guarantee it will be indexed. Even an indexed page won't appear for every search.

How do crawlers find my website?

Think of a web crawler as an automated reading robot. Google can discover your pages by following links from pages it already knows about, including links within your own website and links from other websites.

You can also provide a sitemap (opens in a new tab): a file listing the important pages you want Google to discover.

What parts of a page does Google read?

Google processes more than the words in your site's code. It also renders pages, runs JavaScript and processes images and other content. Useful information includes:

• The words (opens in a new tab): Your headings, paragraphs and service descriptions.
• Page information (opens in a new tab): The title and other instructions in the page's code.
• Images and their descriptions (opens in a new tab): Images, surrounding text and alternative text help explain what a picture shows.
• Links (opens in a new tab): Connections to other pages that help Google discover and understand your site.

What does the crawler do?

Here is a simplified version of the process:

1. Google discovers a page address through a link, sitemap or a previous visit.
2. Googlebot may visit the page and download its content.
3. Google renders and processes the page to understand it.
4. Links on that page can help Google discover other pages.

For more detail, see Google's explanation of how Search works (opens in a new tab).

How do I check whether Google has indexed my website?

Start with your homepage and one important service page. Google indexes individual pages, so finding your homepage doesn't confirm that every page on your site is indexed.

1. Try a quick Google search

Type site: directly followed by your domain into Google:

site:yourwebsite.com

If pages from your website appear, those pages are indexed and being served in search results. However, this search doesn't necessarily list every indexed page.

If no results appear, check the address you entered and investigate in Search Console. An empty result alone doesn't prove your website is unindexed. Google explains the limitations of the site: search operator (opens in a new tab).

2. Check the page in Google Search Console

Google Search Console (opens in a new tab) is a free tool for understanding how your website appears in Google Search. If your website isn't connected yet, you'll need to add it and verify that you own or manage it.

Once you have access:

1. Open the property for your website.
2. Paste the full page address into the URL Inspection (opens in a new tab) search bar.
3. Read the result to see whether the page is indexed. If it isn't, check the indexing details for a reason.
4. If you've recently fixed the page, use Test live URL (opens in a new tab) to check its current accessibility and indexability.

The live test checks the current page; the initial inspection result describes Google's stored information. Passing the live test doesn't guarantee indexing or a particular ranking.

The Page indexing (opens in a new tab) report gives a broader view of indexed and excluded pages across your website. Use URL Inspection when you need to investigate one specific page. See Google's URL Inspection instructions (opens in a new tab).

What could be preventing Google from indexing it?

Read the reason in Search Console before making changes. These are some common situations to investigate:

• The page is new (opens in a new tab): Google may not have crawled or indexed it yet. Check that another relevant page links to it and that it's included in your sitemap.
• A noindex instruction is present (opens in a new tab): This tells Google not to index a page. Ask your developer whether it was left on a public page by mistake, perhaps after the site moved from a test environment to the live domain.
• Google can't access the page (opens in a new tab): A login screen, server error or robots.txt crawl restriction may prevent Google from reading it.
• The URL redirects or duplicates another page (opens in a new tab): Google may index the destination or choose another version as the main page. Check whether that is the version you want people to find.
• Google discovered or crawled the page but hasn't indexed it (opens in a new tab): Review whether the page provides useful, distinct information and whether relevant pages link to it. Repeated indexing requests alone won't resolve the underlying issue.

Not every excluded URL needs fixing. A removed page, duplicate address or private page may be excluded intentionally. Focus on the public pages that help customers understand your services and contact you.

You don't need to change technical settings yourself. Send your developer the affected page address and Search Console's explanation. Keep private and test pages protected. Google's Page indexing report guide (opens in a new tab) explains the different exclusion reasons.

How do I help Google discover my pages?

Make sure customers can reach your important pages through your menu or links from other relevant pages. A page with no links pointing to it can be harder to discover.

A sitemap (opens in a new tab) is a list of the important page addresses on your website. If your website is a building, think of the sitemap as a floor plan that helps search engines find its rooms.

What does a sitemap help with?

A sitemap gives search engines a list of URLs to discover. It can be particularly useful for a new website with few links from other sites.

It doesn't replace navigation or internal links, and it doesn't guarantee that every listed page will be crawled, indexed or ranked. See Google's sitemap guidance (opens in a new tab).

What is the difference between XML and HTML sitemaps?

• XML sitemap (opens in a new tab): A file for search engines listing the public URLs you want considered for indexing. Many website platforms generate it automatically. You can submit its address through Search Console.
• HTML sitemap (opens in a new tab): A page for visitors that organises links to pages on your website. It can help people navigate, particularly on a larger site.

What should I do after fixing a page?

For an individual page, use URL Inspection to request indexing after making the necessary changes. For many new or updated pages, keep your sitemap current.

Allow time for Google to revisit the pages. Google says crawling can take a few days to a few weeks, and requesting the same URL repeatedly doesn't make it happen faster. A request doesn't guarantee indexing. See Google's guidance on recrawling (opens in a new tab).

Why is my website not showing up on Google even though it's indexed?

Indexing makes a page eligible to appear in search results. It doesn't guarantee that people will see it or click it. The next question is whether your page answers a search that potential customers actually make.

What is search intent?

Search intent (opens in a new tab) means what someone is hoping to find when they type a question or phrase into Google.

For example, someone searching for puppy-training advice wants help with a problem. Someone searching for a dog-training class may be comparing providers or looking for a place to book.

Searches often fit into four broad groups, although some have more than one purpose:

1. Informational: “I want to learn something.” (opens in a new tab)
   Example: “How to train a puppy.” The person wants advice or a step-by-step explanation.
2. Commercial: “I'm comparing my choices.” (opens in a new tab)
   Example: “Best dog training classes.” The person wants help choosing between options.
3. Transactional: “I'm ready to take action.” (opens in a new tab)
   Example: “Dog training class near me sign up.” The person wants availability, booking information or a clear way to register.
4. Navigational: “Take me to a specific business or website.” (opens in a new tab)
   Example: “PetSmart dog training.” The person is looking for that business's information.

1. Matching intent makes your page more useful

If someone wants training advice and lands on a page that only asks them to buy a class, they may still have unanswered questions.

Start by helping the reader do what they came for. Relevant, useful content supports your SEO work and helps readers decide what to do next. It doesn't guarantee a higher ranking or more customers.

2. Intent helps you choose the right type of page

Different searches call for different information:

• Learning (opens in a new tab): A guide, tutorial or clear answer to a question.
• Comparing (opens in a new tab): An explanation of options, differences and relevant evidence.
• Taking action (opens in a new tab): A service, product or pricing page with clear details and an appropriate next step.

Local SEO Edmonton: matching your pages to local searches

For an Edmonton dog-training business, this might mean a puppy-training guide alongside a separate page explaining local classes, schedules and booking options. Both can be useful, but they serve different needs.

The same distinction applies to a search such as “local SEO Edmonton”. Someone using that phrase may be comparing providers who can help their business appear in local searches. A service page should explain the help available, the work involved and relevant examples. Someone asking why their website isn't showing up on Google needs a troubleshooting guide like this one.

3. Internal links help readers take the next step

Your pages can work together without forcing every visitor through the same path:

1. An educational guide answers an initial question.
2. A relevant internal link helps someone explore services or compare options.
3. A service or booking page explains how to take action when they're ready.

For example, a puppy-training guide could link to beginner classes where those classes are relevant to the advice. The link should help the reader continue, rather than interrupt the answer with a sales pitch.

4. Search results offer clues about what people need

Search your main topic and review the leading results. Are they mostly guides, comparisons, service pages or local listings? What questions do they answer, and what useful information could you contribute?

Use those results as clues, rather than a format you must copy. Add practical examples, clear explanations and evidence from your own experience where you have it.

AI Overviews may also appear for some searches. Google's guidance is to continue following its usual SEO best practices; there is no special optimisation required just for these features. See Google's guidance on AI features (opens in a new tab).

Start with one useful change

If you’ve been asking, “Why is my website not showing up on Google?”, you now have a place to start. Check whether your important pages are indexed, investigate any problems in Search Console, and make sure each page answers the questions your customers are asking.

For local SEO in Edmonton, build on those basics with clear service information, genuine examples of your work and an accurate Google Business Profile. Help people understand what you offer, where you work and how to contact you.

You don’t have to fix everything at once. Choose one important page, make a useful improvement and record what you changed. Give Google time to revisit it, then review the results so your next decision is based on evidence.

Your Google visibility checklist

Start with your homepage and one service page. Follow the links for instructions, then tick off each task as you finish.

• Check whether both pages are indexed.Read steps ↑
• Investigate any unexpected indexing exclusions.Read steps ↑
• Check internal links and your sitemap.Read steps ↑
• Match each page to what customers are searching for.Read steps ↑
• Check service details and your Google Business Profile.Read steps ↑
• Request indexing after making fixes.Read steps ↑
• Record your changes and review the results.Read steps ↑