SEO
Website Not Showing on Google? 8 Things to Check
If your website is not showing on Google, there is usually a clear reason. Here are eight things to check, in the order we would check them.
On this page
- 1. Check whether it is really missing
- 2. Is the site new?
- 3. Has Google been told about it?
- 4. Check for a noindex tag
- 5. Check robots.txt
- 6. Can Google actually reach the site?
- 7. Look for manual actions and security issues
- 8. Moved domain or switched to HTTPS?
- If you are indexed but still cannot be found
- Want a hand finding out what is wrong?
- Frequently asked questions
You search for your business and your website is nowhere to be seen. It is worrying, but there is usually a clear reason, and most are quick to check.
If your website is not showing on Google, work through these eight things in order. Google also has its own guide, why is my page missing from Google Search?, which covers the same ground.
1. Check whether it is really missing
Search for `site:yourdomain.com` (with your own address). Google’s guide suggests turning off SafeSearch first. If results appear, your site is in Google. It may just rank low, or only some of your pages may be indexed. If nothing appears, carry on down the list.
Can’t tell why your site isn’t showing on Google?
We’ll check your site, tell you what is stopping Google from showing it and what to fix first. Free, with no obligation.
2. Is the site new?
It takes time for Google to find a new page and more time to index it. Google says the total can be anywhere from a day or two to a few weeks. Its guide suggests allowing at least a week after submitting a sitemap or an indexing request before assuming there is a problem. Our guide to how long SEO takes to work gives a realistic timeline.
3. Has Google been told about it?
Google can find pages by following links, but a brand-new site that no one links to can be missed. Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console, and make sure every page can be reached by links from your homepage. Many website builders create a sitemap for you. Our guide to what Google Search Console is shows how to submit one.
4. Check for a noindex tag
A “noindex” instruction tells Google not to show a page. It is sometimes left switched on by mistake, for example while a site is being built. The URL Inspection tool in Search Console tells you whether a page is indexed and, if not, why.
5. Check robots.txt
A robots.txt file can tell Google not to visit parts of your site, or all of it. Google says one of the most common reasons a page is not indexed is that it is blocked by a robots.txt file, a noindex directive or something similar, such as password protection. Remove the block, then ask Google to look at the page again.
6. Can Google actually reach the site?
Open the site in a private (incognito) window. If you need to log in, or the page will not load, Google may not be able to see it either. Slow or unreliable hosting can also cause problems. Our website hosting page explains how we host sites.
7. Look for manual actions and security issues
Search Console reports manual actions and security problems if Google finds any. Check there if your site vanished suddenly after being in results. Our guide to Search Console errors explains what the indexing messages mean.
8. Moved domain or switched to HTTPS?
If you changed your web address or moved to HTTPS, make sure the old addresses redirect to the new ones with 301 redirects. Without them, Google may treat the pages as brand new.
If you are indexed but still cannot be found
Being in Google is not the same as ranking. If your site is indexed but sits on page five, the problem is not indexing. It is how clearly your pages match what people search for, how fast they load and who links to you. Our SEO service works on exactly that.
Want a hand finding out what is wrong?
We check how Google sees your website and tell you what to fix first, in plain English. Try our free website check, or see our SEO service and web design service.
Google’s guidance checked against its Search Central and Search Console help pages on 18 October 2026. Google changes its tools often, so check its help pages if something looks different.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for a new website to show on Google?
Google says anywhere from a day or two to a few weeks. Submitting a sitemap and asking Search Console to index your important pages helps Google find the site sooner.
Why is my website indexed but not showing in the first results?
Indexing and ranking are different. A page can be in Google but rank low. How well it matches the search, how quickly it loads and the links to it all affect where it appears.
Does requesting indexing guarantee my page will appear?
No. Google says a request does not guarantee that a page will appear in its index.
Can I check if Google has indexed my site for free?
Yes. Use a `site:` search and Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool. Both are free to use.
What is a noindex tag?
It is an instruction on a page that tells Google not to include it in results. It is sometimes left on by mistake after a site is built.
