SEO
Why is my website not showing on Google?
The most common reasons a website doesn’t appear in Google, how to check each one, and how to fix it.
First, check if Google knows about you
Search site:yourdomain.com.au. If nothing appears, your site isn’t indexed. If pages appear but you can’t find yourself for your services, it’s a ranking problem.
Common reasons for not being indexed
- New site: Google hasn’t found it yet. Submit your sitemap in Search Console.
- Noindex tag: often left over from development. Check page source.
- robots.txt blocking: a single line can block the whole site.
- Technical errors: server errors or broken redirects stop crawling.
- Duplicate versions: www and non-www competing, or HTTP and HTTPS.
Common reasons for not ranking
- Thin pages that don’t explain your services
- No Google Business Profile, or an incomplete one
- Very competitive keywords for a new site
- Few or no links and mentions from other sites
What to do next
Set up Google Search Console, submit your sitemap and use the URL inspection tool on key pages. Then focus on service pages and your Google Business Profile.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for Google to index a new website?
Anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Submitting a sitemap and requesting indexing helps.
Why does my business show on Maps but not in search?
Your Google Business Profile may be strong while your website lacks content or authority.
Can I pay Google to index my site?
No. Indexing is free. You can pay for ads, which appear separately.
