Dealing with Google Search Console Indexing Anomalies: Same URL Indexed and Non-Indexed
Introduction
I’ve encountered a puzzling situation on my website where Google Search Console (GSC) reports the home page as not indexed due to an “alternate page with proper canonical tag.” Strangely, the home page also appears in the list of indexed pages.
The Issue
Both URLs for the home page are identical; there are no query strings or unusual characters that could explain this discrepancy. Here are the screenshots from GSC:
- Non-indexed Page Information:
- Indexed Page Information:
Seeking Solutions
What steps should I take regarding this GSC warning? Is this a valid concern that requires action, or could it be a known GSC glitch that I should simply disregard?
Any insights or solutions would be greatly appreciated.
2 responses to “Addressing Indexed and Non-Indexed URLs in GSC”
When you’re facing an issue with Google Search Console (GSC) indicating that a URL is both indexed and non-indexed due to “alternate page with proper canonical tag,” it can be puzzling. Here’s a breakdown of what this means and steps you can take to address the issue.
Understanding the Issue
When GSC mentions “alternate page with proper canonical tag,” it means that Google has found more than one URL that contains similar or identical content. The canonical tag is a way of telling search engines which version of the URL you want to be considered as the main or preferred version. This helps consolidate ranking signals and prevents potential duplicate content issues.
Reasons for the Discrepancy:
Steps to Resolve the Issue
Ensure that the canonical link element is identical across all potential variants of the homepage.
Check for Technical Issues:
CMS Settings: Ensure your Content Management System (CMS) is not generating alternate URLs automatically or attaching unnecessary parameters.
Consult the Coverage Report:
Dig into GSC’s Coverage report for more insights. Check for any other crawl anomalies, errors, or indexing issues that might be related.
Request Indexing:
This is an intriguing issue you’ve encountered, and it highlights a common concern among website managers regarding the discrepancies reported by Google Search Console (GSC). When GSC indicates that a URL is “not indexed” due to an “alternate page with proper canonical tag” while simultaneously showing it as indexed, it’s essential to approach the situation methodically.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that GSC can sometimes present indexing issues that may not directly affect your site’s SEO performance, especially if the home page is showing indexed when you query it directly. However, addressing these warnings is crucial for maintaining a healthy site.
Here are a few steps you might consider:
1. **Check Canonical Tags**: Verify that the canonical tags on your home page point correctly to itself and that there are no conflicting tags on other pages that might confuse the crawling and indexing process.
2. **Fetch as Google**: Utilize the “URL Inspection Tool” in GSC to fetch the non-indexed page as Google sees it. This can help you identify any potential issues with how Google is interpreting the page.
3. **Review Sitemaps**: Ensure that your XML sitemap is updated and correctly includes the URL of your home page, without duplicates. This supports GSC in understanding the preferred version of your page.
4. **Server Responses**: Check your server responses for both URLs. A 200 OK response is ideal, but occasionally a misconfiguration might lead to temporary errors that can confuse indexing.
5. **Patience and