Crawled vs. Indexed: What’s the Difference in Google Search Console?

Tag : Keseharian, Teknik Blogging - Asep Haryono | Crawled vs. Indexed: What’s the Difference in Google Search Console? - Powered by Blogger

first of all, I would like to inform you that if you are not interested in reading topics related to blogging and the internet, you are free to skip this post or choose from other topics available on my blog, such as cuisine and many others. I apologize for any inconvenience, and I completely understand that everyone has their own preferences.

If you’ve been blogging for a while or maybe you’re just starting out as a blogger like me you’ve probably found yourself scratching your head inside Google Search Console (GSC). Terms like “Crawled, currently not indexed” or “Indexed, not submitted in sitemap” pop up, and it almost feels like Google is speaking its own secret language.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too! Many new bloggers (and even seasoned ones) confuse the terms crawled and indexed, but once you understand the difference, you’ll have a much clearer idea of how Google treats your blog posts. And trust me this can make a big difference in your SEO strategy and even your future development

An Illustration between unindexed and indexed page

What Does “Crawled” Mean?
Think of Google as the world’s biggest library. In this library, Google bot is the librarian. Crawling is simply the librarian walking through the shelves, noticing new books, flipping through them, and writing down what they’re about.

In blogging terms:

• When a page is crawled, it means Google bot has visited your blog post, scanned the content, and recognized that it exists. 

• However, crawling doesn’t mean the post is automatically stored in the catalog (Google’s index).

Example: Let’s say you publish a new article on “Tips to Stay Focused While Working From Home.” Google bot may crawl it within a few hours or days, but that doesn’t guarantee it will show up in search results just yet.

So crawling is like Google saying: “Okay, I see you wrote something new.”


What Does “Indexed” Mean?
Indexing is the next step. Sticking with our library example, this is where the librarian officially enters your book into the catalog so visitors can find it when they search.

When your blog post is indexed:

• It means Google has stored your content in its giant database. 

• People can now discover it when they search for related keywords.

Example: If your blog post titled “Easy Vegan Breakfast Recipes” is indexed, then when someone searches for that keyword, your post has a chance of appearing in the results.

So indexing is like being added to the party guest list you’re not just invited, you’re officially in.

You may read - Does Short Blogging Wins the Internet?

Why a Page Can Be Crawled but Not Indexed
This is the part that frustrates many bloggers (including me at times). You check your GSC report, see that your page was crawled, but then notice it wasn’t indexed. Why?

Here are some common reasons:

1. Thin or low-quality content – Posts that are too short, repetitive, or unhelpful may not get indexed. 

2. Duplicate content – If your post is very similar to another one (either yours or someone else’s), Google may skip it. 

3. Crawl budget – For large sites with thousands of pages, Google prioritizes certain pages over others. 

4. Technical issues – Things like broken links, blocked robots.txt, or “noindex” tags can stop indexing.  

5. Timing – Sometimes it’s just patience. Indexing doesn’t always happen instantly it can take days or even weeks.

 

This part is important. If your posts don’t get indexed, they won’t show up in search results, which means less organic traffic and fewer impressions.


How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Indexed
The good news? You can take steps to help Google not just crawl but also index your posts. Here are some proven tips:

1. Write Quality Content. Google loves content that’s original, useful, and answers readers’ questions. Aim for at least 800–1,000 words that provide real value. Quality content is more likely to be indexed and shared!

2. Use Internal Linking.Don’t let your new post sit in isolation. Link it from older posts so Google sees it’s connected to the rest of your blog. Internal linking also improves user experience and helps distribute SEO power across your site.

3. Submit Your Sitemap.Make sure you have an active sitemap submitted in Google Search Console. It’s like giving Google a roadmap to your blog.

4. Request Indexing.If you’ve just published something new, use the URL inspection tool in GSC. Paste your post URL and hit “Request indexing.” It’s like tapping Google on the shoulder and saying: “Hey, check this out!”

5. Avoid Thin or Duplicate Content.Every post should add something fresh. Even if you’re covering a popular topic, make sure your perspective, examples, or tips stand out.

6. Be Patient.This one is tough, especially when you’re eager to see results (and AdSense earnings). But SEO takes time. Keep publishing consistently, and your index rate will improve over time.

 

  Crawled vs. Indexed: A Quick Recap
•  Crawled = Googlebot saw your page.

•  Indexed = Google saved your page into search results. 

•  Not every crawled page gets indexed, and that’s perfectly normal.

Think of it like being invited to a party (crawled) versus actually being added to the guest list (indexed). One doesn’t guarantee the other.

Summarize

Understanding the difference between crawling and indexing makes life as a blogger so much easier. It clears up why some of your posts don’t appear in Google search yet and gives you practical steps to fix the problem.

Remember: quality, patience, and consistency are your best friends in SEO. Focus on creating valuable content for your readers, keep your blog technically sound, and over time, Google will reward you with better indexing and visibility.

As myself,  But here’s the truth: if your posts don’t get indexed, people won’t find them and your ads won’t be seen. So mastering this crawl vs. index difference is more than just SEO it’s the foundation of growing your blog income.

Have you ever seen the dreaded “Crawled, currently not indexed” status in Google Search Console? How did you handle it? Share your experience in the comments I’d love to learn from you! And if this guide helped clear up the confusion, do your fellow bloggers a favor and share it with them.

Ready to grow your blog?
Keep creating quality content, stay consistent, and don’t forget to check your Google Search Console regularly. 

Share this post with fellow bloggers who might be confused about crawling and indexing it could save them a lot of headaches 

---

A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"