Last updated on June 10th, 2026 at 08:03 pm
Google Search Console is a tool I use at least weekly, first, to check how my pages are performing for the keywords I am targeting, or to check if the right versions of the pages are indexed. Or maybe I need to submit them for reindexing in GSC?
Or if they are indexed at all
Over my 8+ years in SEO, I’ve constantry been asked questions from clients about why a certain outdated page has suddenly been de-indexed from search results. Each and every case is different and has a different solution.
Is it because the content is simply obsolete and needs an update with the most recent info on the topic? Then we need to rewrite.
Maybe it clashed with other pages ranking for the same keyword? Then a good solution would be to combine them in a single comprehensive post. Or get rid of the ones that don’t really say much?
Yeah, as an SEO I get to say “It depends” quite a lot.
In this article, I will explain how the URL inspection tool works and in what cases submitting a URL for reindexing in GSC is a good idea.
What is the URL Inspection tool in GSC?
How the URL Inspection Tool Works
The URL Inspection Tool in GSC lets you check exactly what Google knows about a specific page on your site. It’s like a window into Google’s index for that URL, showing you whether the page can be crawled, indexed, and displayed in search results. This is especially useful when you’ve made changes to content, meta descriptions, or structured data and want Google to see the updates faster.
The tool is built for web pages only – not PDFs, images, or videos – and provides a step-by-step look at a URL’s status, helping you diagnose SEO issues quickly. Here’s what you’ll find when you inspect a URL:
1. Presence on Google
This shows whether your page is in Google’s index. Possible statuses include:
- URL is on Google. The page is indexed and can appear in search results. No action is needed unless you want to improve its ranking.
- URL is on Google, but has issues. Indexed, but some enhancements (like Schema or mobile usability) aren’t fully applied. Check and fix if needed.
- Not on Google. Google hasn’t indexed the page, possibly due to restrictions like noindex tags or blocked access. Investigate and fix issues.
- Not on Google, indexing errors. Google couldn’t index the page due to errors like 404s or server issues.
- URL is an alternate version. This is usually a mobile or AMP version of another URL. No action required.
2. View Crawled Page
This section lets you see what Google saw the last time it crawled the URL. It has three tabs:
- HTML. The rendered page HTML, useful for checking canonical tags, meta robots, or other code.
- Screenshot. Shows a visual snapshot of the page (available after a live test).
- More Info. Technical details like HTTP status, page type, loaded resources, and any blocked files.
3. Request Indexing
If you’ve made updates and want Google to reflect them quickly, the Request Indexing button triggers a re-crawl. While it doesn’t guarantee rankings, it can speed up the appearance of your updates in search results. Note there’s a limit of 10 requests per day.
4. Coverage
The Coverage section explains how Google discovered, crawled, and indexed the page:
- Discovery. How Google found the page (sitemap, referring pages).
- Crawl. When Google last crawled the URL, which user-agent was used, and whether crawling was allowed.
- Indexing. Shows the canonical URL Google chose and whether the page was successfully indexed.
5. Enhancements
Here you’ll see how well your page supports mobile usability, Schema markup, and other rich features. Google flags issues that could affect visibility in search results, such as missing fields in structured data or mobile-friendliness problems.
6. Test Live URL
This feature runs a real-time check of your page, showing Google’s current view of its crawlability and indexability. It’s especially useful after fixes or updates, since the regular inspection may show outdated information. The live test also highlights availability issues like robots.txt blocks, redirects, or 404 errors.
When Should You Ask Google for Reindexing?
Requesting Google to reindex your pages is useful whenever you’ve made changes that you want reflected in search results as quickly as possible. Here are the most common scenarios:
1. You’ve Updated Your Site
Major changes to your website’s design, structure, or content should be followed by a reindexing request. This ensures Google sees the latest version of your site rather than an outdated one.
2. You’ve Added New Content
Whenever you publish new pages, blog posts, or products, requesting a reindex helps Google discover and include them faster in search results.
3. You’ve Fixed Errors
If your site previously had technical issues like broken links, server errors, or crawl problems, a reindex lets Google recognize that the issues are resolved.
4. You’ve Improved SEO
Implementing new SEO strategies – like updating keywords, meta descriptions, or structured data – can benefit from faster indexing so Google evaluates your improvements sooner.
5. You’re Recovering from a Ranking Drop
If your pages have lost visibility due to algorithm changes or technical errors, a reindex can help Google reassess your content and potentially restore rankings faster.
6. You’ve Removed Noindex Tags or Corrected Duplicate Content
Pages accidentally set to “noindex” or content flagged as duplicate may have been skipped by Google. Once corrected, reindexing tells Google the page is ready to be included in the index.
7. You’ve Fixed Mobile or Usability Issues
Since Google now prioritizes mobile-first indexing, fixing pages that were previously difficult to use on smartphones (like text too small or buttons too close together) may require a reindex to ensure proper visibility.
How to Request Reindexing?
Once you’ve made updates to your website – whether it’s new content, SEO improvements, or technical fixes – you can take steps to get Google to recrawl your pages faster. Here’s how:
1. Use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection Tool
This is the fastest way to request a recrawl for individual pages.
Steps:
- Log in to Google Search Console and select your website property.
- Click URL Inspection in the left-hand menu.
- Enter the full URL of the page you want Google to recrawl and press Enter.
- Review the page status. If it’s indexed but updated – or missing entirely – click Request Indexing.
Notes
Requests usually take a few hours to a few days, depending on site structure and Googlebot activity.
Don’t overuse this feature; repeated requests for the same URL won’t make it crawl faster, and excessive submissions can temporarily block requests.
2. Submit or Resubmit a Sitemap
A sitemap lists all the important pages on your site, helping Google discover updates more efficiently.
Steps
- In Search Console, go to Sitemaps.
- Enter the URL of your sitemap (usually https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml) and click Submit.
- Google will prioritize crawling the URLs listed in the sitemap.
- This method is especially useful for large sites or after a major update, like a site redesign or adding many new pages.
3. Improve Internal Linking
Linking new or updated pages from high-authority pages on your site signals Google to recrawl them.
Tips
- Identify your most visited or authoritative pages.
- Add links from these pages to your updated content.
- Use descriptive anchor text with relevant keywords.
4. Build Quality Backlinks
External links from other websites help Google discover your content.
Ways to do this
- Reach out to industry blogs or partners for links to your updated pages.
- Share your content on social media and platforms where it can attract attention.
- Create shareable content like guides, infographics, or research reports.
5. Ensure Crawlability and Page Quality
Before requesting indexing in GSC, make sure Google can access the page:
- Check that the page isn’t blocked by robots.txt or <meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>.
- Make sure it loads correctly without login requirements or errors.
- Confirm the content is high-quality, original, and structured well to meet Google’s EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust) standards.
6. Optional Techniques to Encourage Crawls
- Social Sharing. Posting updates on social media can increase traffic and prompt Google to recrawl.
- Google Ping or Webmaster Tools. Some advanced users use these tools carefully to notify Google of updates – but overuse can be seen as spam.
Remember. Requesting reindexing in GSC doesn’t guarantee immediate inclusion in search results. It usually speeds up the process, but patience is key. Monitor progress using Search Console’s Coverage or URL Inspection reports.
How Long Does Reindexing Take?
After you request a recrawl or reindexing in GSC, it’s natural to wonder how long it will take for Google to reflect your changes in search results. The truth is, the timing varies depending on several factors.
Typical Time Frames
Patience is important. Even after a request, Google may take time to crawl and index your pages fully.
- Single URL requests via Google Search Console. Usually take a few hours to a few days, sometimes up to a week. This is ideal for critical updates or new pages.
- Sitemap submissions for multiple pages. Can take several days to a few weeks, depending on the number of URLs and the priority Google assigns to your site.
Factors That Affect Indexing Speed
| Factor / Action | How it affects indexing speed |
|---|---|
| Website accessibility and structure | Fast-loading pages on both desktop and mobile are crawled more efficiently. A clear navigation menu, logical internal linking, and a well-organized sitemap help Googlebot understand and access your content quickly. |
| Frequency of updates | Sites that are updated regularly tend to be crawled more often. Frequent publishing signals to Google that your site is active and worth revisiting. |
| Website size and crawl budget | Larger or higher-authority sites often have a higher crawl budget, meaning Googlebot can spend more time indexing pages. New or smaller sites may see slower crawling until they build authority. |
| Popularity and external signals | Pages linked from reputable websites or shared on social media are more likely to be crawled sooner. Backlinks act as a signal that your content is valuable, encouraging faster indexing. |
| Nature of the changes | Small edits, such as tweaking text or fixing a meta description, are usually picked up quickly. Major updates, such as a site redesign, restructuring, or adding a large batch of new content, can take longer for Google to process. |
| Monitor indexing progress | Use the URL Inspection or Coverage reports in Google Search Console to track indexing status. |
| Keep publishing regularly | Continue publishing high-quality content to signal ongoing activity. |
| Encourage backlinks and social shares | Improve visibility and prompt faster crawling by earning links and shares. |
| Maintain technical health | Make sure pages remain crawlable, mobile-friendly, and free from technical issues. |
Do you have Trouble Indexing Your Content?
When you keep getting your pages removed from Google’s index, that’s usually a call for an expert intervention. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Manic SEO to dig deep into the problem and take proper care over your content. Drop us an email here.