Excluded by ‘noindex’ tag
The 'noindex' tag is one of the easier items to understand, however when it comes to indexing there can sometimes be some unexpected outcomes with pages being "Excluded by 'noindex tag". In this article, we'll delve into the intricacies of this indexing status, exploring what it means, why it occurs, and how to effectively address it.
What does "Excluded by ‘noindex’ Tag" mean?
The "Excluded by ‘noindex’ tag" status signifies that Google has encountered a directive, commonly known as a 'noindex' tag, instructing it not to index a particular page or set of pages on a website. This directive is typically implemented by website owners or webmasters to prevent specific content from appearing in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Why does "Excluded by ‘noindex’ Tag" occur?
There are several reasons why a page may be excluded by the 'noindex' tag:
Intentional Exclusion: Website owners may deliberately use the 'noindex' tag to hide certain pages from search engines. This could include pages under development, private content, or pages with duplicate or low-quality content.
Technical Errors: In some cases, the 'noindex' tag may be inadvertently applied to pages due to technical errors in website configuration or content management systems (CMS). These errors can prevent otherwise valuable content from being indexed by search engines.
Third-Party Plugins or Tools: The use of third-party plugins or tools, particularly those related to SEO or website optimization, may introduce 'noindex' directives without the website owner's knowledge. It's essential to review and monitor all plugins and tools to ensure they align with your SEO objectives.
How do you add a 'noindex' tag?
If you have pages which you wish to specifically exclude from being indexed by Google and other search engines you can make use of the 'noindex' tag on individual pages or sets of pages. To add the tag add the following HTML tag to the <head> of your pages.
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">