Website Indexability Checklist
A page needs a successful response, crawl access, no blocking noindex rule, a sensible canonical and useful unique content.
Check access first
Open the exact canonical URL while signed out. Confirm it returns the intended page, not a login screen, redirect loop, soft error or blocked response.
Review index controls
- Check robots.txt access.
- Inspect the robots meta tag and response header.
- Confirm the canonical points to the correct URL.
- Keep indexable URLs in the XML sitemap.
Improve selection signals
Use a clear title, useful original content and consistent internal links. Indexability only means a page may be considered. It does not guarantee that a search engine will select or rank it.
Final checklist
- Test the signed out URL
- Check status and redirects
- Review robots and canonical
- Include the correct URL in sitemap
- Add relevant internal links
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the result without checking it?
No. Compare it with the original source and any current official requirement that applies to the task.
Should I keep the original source?
Yes. Keep an untouched copy until you have opened and verified the final result.
Does one setting work for every case?
No. File requirements, rates, dates and official rules can differ, so use settings that match the real destination.
