Indexing
The process by which search engines organize and store web pages for retrieval in search results.
Description
Indexing in the SEO industry refers to the way search engines like Google and Bing collect, organize, and store information from web pages. When a search engine's crawler visits a website, it reads the content and stores key information in its database. This enables the search engine to quickly retrieve and display relevant web pages when someone performs a search query. Proper indexing is crucial for a website's visibility in search engine results. If a page isn't indexed, it won't appear in search results, no matter how relevant it might be. Website owners can influence indexing by ensuring their sites are easily crawlable, using sitemaps, and avoiding practices that block search engines. Regularly updated content and good internal linking also help ensure pages are indexed.
Examples
- A blog post on 'Best Hiking Trails in Colorado' gets crawled and indexed by Google. When someone searches for 'hiking trails in Colorado,' this blog post appears in the search results, driving traffic to the site.
- An online store selling handmade jewelry updates its product listings frequently. As new products are added, search engines index these pages, making it easier for potential customers to find the latest offerings when they search for 'handmade jewelry.'
Additional Information
- Ensure your website is accessible to search engines by checking for crawl errors in Google Search Console.
- Use a robots.txt file to guide search engines on which pages to index and which to ignore.