"I have a website with around 50-60 pages that I recently redesigned in September. However, Google has only indexed 8 pages of it so far. Despite setting up 301 redirects for some of the old URLs, most of them were not salvageable because they were in a different format. I don't believe I am exceeding my crawl budget and my site is not too slow either. Why is Google taking so long to index my site? Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated."
It’s common for search engines to take some time to index newly redesigned websites or websites with significant changes. While you’ve taken steps like setting up 301 redirects and ensuring your site isn’t too slow, there are a few other factors that could be impacting Google’s indexing process.
- Link Profile: A strong backlink profile from reputable websites can significantly boost your website’s visibility and help Google discover your updated content more quickly. If your website has a limited backlink profile, it might be taking longer for Google to index it.
- Internal Linking Structure: A well-organized internal linking structure helps search engines navigate your website and understand the relationships between different pages. Make sure your website has a logical and clear internal linking structure, especially to your newly redesigned pages.
- Sitemap: A sitemap provides Google with a clear map of your website’s structure and content, making it easier for them to find and index your pages. Ensure your sitemap is updated with the new URLs and submitted to Google Search Console.
- Fresh Content: Regularly publishing new and valuable content can signal to Google that your site is actively maintained and relevant. This can help increase your website’s crawl rate and encourage indexing of your updated pages.
- Google Search Console: Check your Search Console account for any errors, warnings, or issues that might be hindering indexing. It can provide valuable insights into how Google sees your website.
- Patience: While frustrating, it can sometimes take time for Google to fully index a redesigned website. Continue to monitor your Search Console and focus on creating high-quality content to help speed up the process.