Where to start with Index Bloat in GSC

Instructions for Addressing Index Bloat in Google Search Console (GSC)

  1. Understand Index Bloat:

    • Ideal websites would have only necessary pages indexed (status code 200), but larger sites often face issues with unnecessary pages being indexed or valuable pages not being indexed.

  2. Start with Google Search Console:

    • Open GSC (preferably on desktop for better navigation).
    • Navigate to Indexing > Pages on the left-hand menu.

  3. Filter for Sitemap Pages:

    • Use the dropdown filter to focus on pages within your sitemap. These are pages you consider important and want Google to prioritise.
    • Sitemaps represent the site's hierarchy and indicate high-value pages to Google.

  4. Analyse Indexing Ratios:

    • Compare the number of indexed pages to non-indexed pages.
    • Check both total pages and sitemap-specific pages to identify discrepancies:
      • Example: If only 2% of all known pages are indexed, but 98% of sitemap pages are indexed, your focus should be on sitemap pages that are not indexed.

  5. Prioritise Fixes:

    • Filter to sitemap pages that are not indexed and review the issues causing this. Common problems include:
      • No-Index Tags: Remove these from sitemap pages. If the page isn’t needed for indexing, it shouldn’t be in the sitemap.
      • Redirects: Remove pages that redirect to other URLs from the sitemap.
      • Canonical Issues: Ensure canonical tags align with sitemap priorities.
      • Discovered – Not Indexed: Check these pages for quality and value. If they are valuable, review why they haven’t been crawled or indexed.
    • For non-essential pages, consider deleting them or excluding them from the sitemap.

  6. Review Submitted and Unsubmitted Pages:

    • Submitted Pages (in the sitemap): Focus on fixing issues here first.
    • Unsubmitted Pages (outside the sitemap):
      • Review if any valuable pages are indexed but missing from the sitemap. Add these to the sitemap for better consistency.

  7. Evaluate Individual Pages:

    • Filter down by specific sitemap types if applicable (e.g., blog, product).
    • Assess whether individual pages have value or should be excluded from the sitemap and potentially de-indexed.

  8. Clean Up the Sitemap:

    • Remove:
      • Pages with no-index tags.
      • Pages that are redirected.
      • Low-quality or duplicate content pages.
    • Add:
      • Valuable pages that are indexed but missing from the sitemap.

  9. Build a Strong Foundation:

    • Ensure your sitemap accurately reflects the pages you want indexed.
    • Maintain proper internal linking to assist Google in crawling and indexing valuable pages.

  10. Prepare for Future Changes:

    • If a migration or major site update happens, a clean sitemap ensures Google can better adapt to structural changes.

  11. Keep It Simple:

    • Prioritise fixing sitemap pages that are not indexed before addressing broader site indexing issues.
    • Focus on the areas with the greatest impact, rather than attempting to resolve every minor issue at once.

By following these steps, you can systematically address index bloat, improve crawl efficiency, and ensure that Google focuses on the most valuable parts of your site.

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