# Why Is My Website Not Showing Up on Google? (And How to Fix It) Source: https://www.mangogrow.com/blog/seo/website-not-showing-on-google Publisher: MangoGrow (https://www.mangogrow.com) Topic: SEO Published: 2026-10-29 · Updated: 2026-10-29 ## Key takeaways - First check whether Google knows your site exists: search site:yourdomain.com and look in Google Search Console. - New sites often just haven't been crawled yet; submitting a sitemap and requesting indexing helps Google find pages. - Common technical blocks are a noindex tag, a robots.txt rule, a WordPress 'discourage search engines' setting or a password-protected site. - If pages are indexed but don't rank, the issue is relevance, quality or competition rather than visibility. - Local businesses should also check their Google Business Profile, which controls appearance in Google Maps. **Short answer:** if your website isn't showing on Google, it's usually one of three things: Google **hasn't indexed it yet**, something is **blocking it** (a noindex tag, a robots.txt rule, a "discourage search engines" setting or a password), or your pages **are indexed but outranked** by stronger competitors. Start by searching **site:yourdomain.com**, then check **Google Search Console**: submit a **sitemap**, use **URL Inspection** to request indexing, and read the **Page indexing** report. If you're a local business, check your **Google Business Profile** too, since that controls Google Maps. This guide is part of our [SEO cost and strategy](https://www.mangogrow.com/blog/seo/how-much-does-seo-cost) series. If you'd like it fixed for you, see our [SEO service](https://www.mangogrow.com/services/seo). ## Does Google know my website exists? **Search `site:yourdomain.com` on Google.** - **No results:** Google probably hasn't indexed your site, or something is blocking it - **Some results:** Google knows the site; the problem is ranking for specific searches - **Only some pages:** important pages may be blocked, duplicated or not linked For accurate data, set up **Google Search Console** (free) and check the **Page indexing** report. ## Is my site brand new? **New sites often just haven't been crawled yet.** Google discovers pages by following links and reading sitemaps. To speed things up: 1. **Verify your site in Search Console** 2. **Submit your XML sitemap** (often at /sitemap.xml) 3. **Use URL Inspection** on your homepage and key pages and select **Request indexing** 4. **Link to important pages** from your homepage and menus 5. **Get a few links** from other sites (directories, partners, social profiles) See our Google Search Console guide. ## Is something blocking Google? **Check these common blocks:** | Block | How to check | Fix | | --- | --- | --- | | noindex tag | URL Inspection shows "Excluded by noindex" | Remove the noindex tag or SEO plugin setting | | robots.txt | Visit yourdomain.com/robots.txt; look for `Disallow: /` | Remove the rule blocking important pages | | WordPress setting | Settings → Reading → "Discourage search engines" | Untick it on your live site | | Website builder setting | Look for "hide from search engines" options | Turn it off | | Password protection or "coming soon" mode | Visit the site logged out | Remove protection once you launch | | Wrong canonical tags | URL Inspection shows another canonical | Point canonicals to the right URL | These are especially common after a redesign or launch, when staging settings are copied to the live site. See WordPress SEO. ## My pages are indexed but don't show up. Why? **If Google has indexed your pages, the problem is ranking, not visibility.** Common reasons: - **You're searching very competitive terms** ("plumber", "lawyer") where established sites win - **The page doesn't match what searchers want** (a sales page for a "how much does it cost" search) - **Thin or duplicate content** that adds little beyond other results - **Few links or mentions** from other sites - **The site is new**, so Google has little trust in it yet Try searching your exact business name and specific services plus your town. If you appear for those, you're visible; you just need SEO to rank for broader terms. See [how long SEO takes](https://www.mangogrow.com/blog/seo/how-long-does-seo-take). ## What do the Search Console messages mean? **The Page indexing report explains why pages aren't indexed.** The most common: - **Crawled – currently not indexed:** Google chose not to index it, usually a quality or duplication issue - **Discovered – currently not indexed:** Google knows the URL but hasn't crawled it yet - **Excluded by noindex tag:** you're telling Google not to index it See Search Console indexing errors explained. ## Why does my business show on Maps but not my website (or the reverse)? **They're separate systems.** Google Maps and the local pack use your **Google Business Profile**; website results use indexing and SEO. If you're missing from Maps, see [why your business isn't showing on Google Maps](https://www.mangogrow.com/blog/local-seo/business-not-showing-on-google-maps). ## What about Bing and AI assistants? **Check Bing too.** Bing powers Microsoft Copilot and supports other AI tools, so verify your site in **Bing Webmaster Tools** and submit your sitemap. See Bing SEO. ## A step-by-step fix checklist 1. Search `site:yourdomain.com` 2. Set up Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools 3. Submit your sitemap 4. Check robots.txt and noindex settings 5. Request indexing for key pages 6. Make sure key pages are linked from the homepage 7. Improve thin pages and target specific searches 8. Build a few genuine links and listings 9. Check Google Business Profile for Maps visibility 10. Give it a few weeks, then review the Page indexing report ## A worked example A new bakery's website doesn't appear on Google after a month. A site: search shows nothing. Search Console reveals every page is "Excluded by noindex tag" because the builder's "hide from search engines" setting was left on from before launch. The owner turns it off, submits the sitemap and requests indexing for the homepage and menu page. Within a couple of weeks, the pages appear for the bakery's name and town. (Illustrative.) ## The bottom line When your website isn't on Google, check indexing first, then look for technical blocks, then work on relevance and authority if pages are indexed but not ranking. Search Console tells you most of what you need to know. Want us to check why your site isn't showing up? Request a [free growth audit](https://www.mangogrow.com/free-audit). ## Frequently asked questions ### Why is my website not showing up on Google? Usually because Google hasn't indexed it yet, a setting is blocking it (noindex, robots.txt or a site-wide 'discourage search engines' option), or the pages are indexed but outranked by stronger competitors. ### How do I get Google to index my website? Verify your site in Google Search Console, submit an XML sitemap, link to key pages from your homepage, and use URL Inspection to request indexing for important pages. ### How long does it take for a new website to show on Google? Some pages appear within days, but it can take weeks for a new site to be crawled and indexed, and much longer to rank for competitive searches. ### How do I check if my site is indexed? Search site:yourdomain.com on Google for a rough check, and use Search Console's Page indexing report and URL Inspection tool for accurate information. ### Why does my business show on Google Maps but not my website? Maps results come from your Google Business Profile, while website results depend on indexing and SEO. They're separate, so one can appear without the other. ## Sources - [Get started with Search Console, Search Console Help](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9128668) - [Page indexing report, Search Console Help](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7440203) - [In-depth guide to how Google Search works](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/how-search-works) - [SEO Starter Guide, Google Search Central](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide)