Key takeaways
- First check it’s really missing. Search
site:yourwebsite.com.auin Google. If pages appear, Google has you. - A new site can take days to a few weeks to show up, and Google says to wait at least a week after you submit a sitemap or ask it to index a page.
- Common causes: a “discourage search engines” setting left on, a noindex tag, a robots.txt block, or no other sites linking in.
- Google Search Console is the free tool that tells you what Google sees.
- Showing up is one thing. Showing up near the top for the searches your customers use is a different job.
Why isn’t my website showing on Google?
Most of the time it’s one of three things: the site is new and Google hasn’t found it yet, something on the site tells Google to stay away, or Google can’t find a way in because nothing links to it. Work out which one, and the fix is usually small.
Say a plumber in Ipswich gets a new website and searches for it a week later. Nothing. Before panicking, there’s a quick way to see what’s going on.
First, check it’s really missing
- Search Google for your business name. Then search
site:yourwebsite.com.au, using your own address. - If you see your pages, Google has your site. Your problem is where you rank, not whether you’re listed. See the last section.
- If you see nothing, try again in a private window with SafeSearch off, since Google says SafeSearch can filter results.
Google says the site: search may not list every page it knows about, so use it as a quick check, not a full count. For the real answer, use Search Console (below).
The usual causes
The site is new
Google says it can take a few weeks to notice a new site. For a new page it says a day or two to a few weeks, depending on many things. If you submitted a sitemap or asked Google to index a page, Google says to allow at least a week before you assume something is wrong.
A setting left on from when the site was built
This one catches a lot of new sites. A site built on a test address is often set to keep search engines out, and the setting travels with it when the site goes live. In WordPress it’s under Settings, then Reading, as “Discourage search engines from indexing this site”. If it’s ticked, untick it and save.
A “noindex” tag on a page, a block in your robots.txt file or a password over the site do the same job, and Google lists all three as reasons a page isn’t indexed. A “coming soon” screen can too. If a plugin or your web person set one, they can switch it off.
Nothing links to it
Google finds new sites by following links from sites it already knows. A brand new site with no links in, and no sitemap, can sit unseen for a while. Your Google Business Profile, your Facebook page and your listings in business directories can all link to the site, as can suppliers and industry bodies you belong to. Google also says to make every page reachable by ordinary links from your home page.
Google can’t read it easily
Google says a site built mostly from images or video, or with links that need a click or a login to appear, is hard to crawl. If your text is inside pictures, Google can’t read it. Put the words on the page as real text.
You moved or rebuilt the site
If you changed domains, moved to https, or changed your page addresses, old addresses need to point to the new ones with 301 redirects. Google says mistakes here can hurt your results, and to check that both the http and https versions don’t show up. If you bought or took over an old site, Search Console can also show any past penalties or security problems.
Use Search Console
Google Search Console is free. You prove you own the site, and it shows what Google can and can’t see.
- Paste your home page address into the URL Inspection tool. It tells you if the page is in Google, and if not, whether something like a noindex tag, a robots.txt block or a password is in the way.
- If nothing is blocking it, use Request indexing for your home page.
- Submit your sitemap. WordPress sites usually get one from an SEO plugin. If you’re not sure of the address, ask whoever built the site.
- Look at the Manual actions and Security issues reports for anything flagged.
Then wait. Google suggests allowing at least a week, and that’s what we do before looking again.
Showing up, but not near the top
If your site is listed but buried, the fix is different. Google is deciding whether your pages are more useful than the ones above you for that search. Things that usually help: a page for each job you do and each area you work, your real details and photos, a fast site on a phone, and links from other local sites.
A Google Maps listing is separate from your website too. You can appear in the Maps results without your site being listed in the normal results, and the other way round. Our guides on setting up your Business Profile and SEO for tradies cover both.
Questions people ask
How long does it take for a new website to show on Google?
Google says it can take a few weeks to notice a new site, and a day or two to a few weeks for new pages. After you submit a sitemap or ask it to index a page, allow at least a week.
Do I have to pay Google to list my website?
No. Google says it doesn’t accept payment for crawling, indexing or ranking a site. Be careful of anyone who says you have to pay to be listed.
I’m on Google Maps. Why isn’t my website there?
Your Business Profile and your website are separate. The profile can show on Maps while the website isn’t yet indexed, so check both.
Can you guarantee my site will be on page one?
No, and be wary of anyone who does. We can find out why it isn’t showing and fix what’s in the way. Ranking well takes longer.
Not sure why your site isn’t showing? Send us the address and ask for a free website check. We’ll tell you what we can see. If you’d like help getting found, have a look at our SEO services or our website care plans.