Different Types of Indexing Errors in Google Search Console (And What They Mean for Your Website)

If your website pages are not appearing on Google, the issue often lies inside Google Search Console → Indexing → Pages → “Why pages aren’t indexed.”

Many website owners panic when they see errors here. But the truth is — not every excluded page is a problem. Some are intentional, while others require immediate SEO action.

At Finessse Interactive Solutions, we regularly audit indexing reports to identify what’s critical and what’s normal. In this blog, we break down each indexing status and explain what it means for your website.

1. Page with Redirect

What It Means

This URL redirects users and search engines to another URL (via 301 or 302 redirect).

Why It’s Not Indexed

Google indexes the final destination page — not the redirected one.

Should You Worry?

• No, if the redirect is intentional (e.g., old page → new page).
• Yes, if it’s an accidental redirect or redirect chain.

SEO Recommendation

Ensure all redirects are:

• 301 (permanent) where applicable
• Clean (no multiple redirect chains)
• Pointing to relevant pages

2. Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag

What It Means

The page has a rel="canonical" tag pointing to another URL.

Why It’s Not Indexed

Google is indexing the canonical (main) version instead of this duplicate version.

Should You Worry?

• No, if your canonical setup is correct.
• Yes, if the canonical is pointing to the wrong page.

SEO Recommendation

Review:

• Canonical tags
• Internal linking consistency
• Sitemap URLs

3. Not Found (404)

What It Means

The page does not exist. The server returns a 404 status code.

Why It’s Not Indexed

Google cannot index a page that does not exist.

Should You Worry?

• Yes, if important pages are returning 404.
• No, if the page was intentionally removed.

SEO Recommendation

• Restore important pages
• 301 redirect to relevant alternatives
• Keep 404 only for intentionally removed content

4. Soft 404

What It Means

The page returns a 200 (OK) status but looks empty or low value to Google.

Examples:

• “Product not available” page
• Thin content pages
• Pages with almost no useful information

Why It’s Not Indexed

Google believes the page provides little or no value.

SEO Recommendation

• Add meaningful content
• Improve user experience
• Or return proper 404 status if page is obsolete

5. Crawled – Currently Not Indexed

What It Means

Google has crawled the page but decided not to index it.

Common Reasons

• Thin or low-quality content
• Duplicate content
• Weak internal linking
• Low authority signals

Why This Is Important

This is one of the most critical indexing issues.

SEO Recommendation

• Improve content depth and uniqueness
• Add internal links from high-authority pages
• Optimize for search intent
• Strengthen overall domain authority

6. Excluded by ‘Noindex’ Tag

What It Means

The page contains a noindex directive.

Why It’s Not Indexed

You explicitly told Google not to index it.

Should You Worry?

• No, if it’s intentional (thank you pages, admin pages, filters).
• Yes, if applied accidentally to important pages.

SEO Recommendation

Audit all noindex pages and remove the tag where needed.

7. Discovered – Currently Not Indexed

What It Means

Google knows about the page but hasn’t crawled it yet.

Common Reasons

• Large website
• Low crawl budget
• Poor internal linking
• Too many low-value URLs

SEO Recommendation

• Improve internal linking
• Submit updated XML sitemap
• Remove low-quality pages
• Strengthen site authority

8. Duplicate – Google Chose Different Canonical Than User

What It Means

You selected a canonical URL, but Google chose a different one.

Why This Happens

• Conflicting signals
• Internal linking pointing elsewhere
• Sitemap mismatch
• Content similarity

SEO Recommendation

Align:

• Canonical tags
• Sitemap URLs
• Internal linking structure

Which Indexing Errors Should You Fix First?

From an SEO growth perspective, prioritize:

1. Crawled – Currently Not Indexed
2. Discovered – Currently Not Indexed
3. Soft 404
4. Duplicate Canonical Conflicts
5. Important 404 Pages

Redirects and intentional noindex pages are usually not critical issues.