If a page is not indexed, it cannot rank, so fixing indexing issues is often the fastest SEO win.
Start in Google Search Console's Pages report. It lists exactly which pages are excluded and why.
1. Check the Pages report
Open Search Console and see which URLs are "not indexed". The reason next to each tells you what to fix.
2. Fix crawl blocks
Make sure robots.txt and noindex tags are not hiding pages you want ranked. One stray rule can block a whole section.
3. Resolve duplicates
Point duplicate or near-identical URLs at one canonical. Google often skips pages it sees as copies.
4. Improve thin pages
Add real value to pages dropped for low quality. Google will not index filler.
5. Request indexing
Use the URL Inspection tool to submit fixed pages. This nudges Google to recrawl them sooner.
Watch out: A "noindex" tag left on after a site migration is the most common reason pages vanish. Check it first.
Where people slip up
- Assuming auto-indexing. Google chooses what to index; submit and earn it.
- Ignoring the reason given. The report names the exact cause, so read it.
- Using robots.txt to deindex. That blocks crawling, not indexing; use noindex.