Crawling vs Indexing: What’s the Difference? | TTGC
Learn how Google crawls and indexes your website for search results.
What is the Difference Between Crawling and Indexing in Google?
You may see deleted pages in searches.
This happens because of crawling and indexing.
What is Crawling?
Crawling is when Google visits a URL.
Googlebot follows links to find new pages.
It reads your text and images.
Crawling does not mean the page will appear in searches.
What is Indexing?
Indexing happens when Google stores a page’s content for searches.
Only indexed pages can show up in search results.
A page can be crawled but not indexed.
Why the Difference Matters
This explains why deleted pages may linger in searches.
Google may crawl a page but skip indexing it. Low quality is a common reason.
Indexed pages need a re-crawl for updates or removal.
Blocking a URL in robots.txt stops crawling. But an already indexed page can still show.
How to Check Your Status
Use Google Search Console to watch your site.
Go to the “Coverage” report for indexing issues.
Use the URL Inspection tool to check one page.
Check these reports often to stay healthy.
Common Issues and Solutions
Several factors can affect crawling and indexing.
Crawling issues: keep a clear site structure and sitemap.
Indexing issues: avoid duplicate and thin pages.
Blocked resources: let Googlebot load CSS, JavaScript, and images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if my page is crawled but not indexed?
A: Your page may not meet Google's quality bar. Improve the content to boost its chances.
Q: How long does it take for a deleted page to disappear from search results?
A: It depends on how often Google re-crawls. This varies by site. Check Search Console for updates.
Q: Can I force Google to index my page faster?
A: Submit your URL in the Search Console URL Inspection tool. This can speed up indexing.
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