SEO Fundamentals
How to Get Your Website on Google (and Why It Might Not Be There Yet)
Usually Google finds sites on its own. When it doesn’t, the reason is almost always something you can check.
Google says the vast majority of sites in its results are found and added automatically. But some are missed, and new sites can take a few weeks to be noticed.
This guide covers how to check, what to set up, and the most common reasons a site isn’t showing.
Short answer: To get your website on Google: search site:yourdomain.com to see if it’s indexed; verify the site in Google Search Console; submit an XML sitemap; make sure pages aren’t blocked by robots.txt, noindex or a login; check key pages with the URL Inspection tool and request indexing; link to your site from places people already visit. New sites can take a few weeks to be noticed, and indexing isn’t guaranteed.
Key Takeaways
- Check with site:yourdomain.com first; you may already be indexed.
- Search Console is free and shows exactly why pages aren’t indexed.
- A sitemap helps but isn’t required.
- The most common blocker on WordPress is the “Discourage search engines” setting.
- Google says it can take a few weeks to notice a new site.
Step 1: Check if Google already has your site
Search site:yourdomain.com. If you see results, you’re indexed. Google notes the site: operator doesn’t necessarily show every indexed URL, so use Search Console for an accurate view.
Step 2: Set up Search Console
Verify your site in Google Search Console. It shows which pages are indexed, why others aren’t, and any manual actions or security issues.
Step 3: Submit a sitemap
Most CMSs create one automatically. Submit its URL in the Sitemaps report. If it fails, see XML sitemap troubleshooting.
Step 4: Remove anything blocking Google
| Blocker | How to check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” ticked | Settings → Reading | Untick it and save |
| noindex tag on pages | URL Inspection; view source | Remove noindex from pages you want indexed |
| robots.txt blocking the site | yourdomain.com/robots.txt | Remove the Disallow rule; see robots.txt mistakes |
| Site behind a login or password | Open the site in a private window | Make public pages public |
| Pages returning errors | URL Inspection | Fix so pages return HTTP 200 |
The WordPress setting is often left on after a site is built on a staging copy. It’s the first thing to check on a new WordPress site.
Step 5: Request indexing for key pages
Use the URL Inspection tool on your homepage and main service pages, then request indexing. There’s no need to do this for every page.
Step 6: Help Google discover you
Google finds most pages through links. List your site on your Google Business Profile, social profiles and relevant directories you genuinely belong in, and make sure your own pages link to each other.
Still not showing?
- Check the Page indexing report for the reason given; our indexing guide explains each one.
- Check the Manual actions and Security issues reports.
- If pages are indexed but don’t show for your target searches, the issue is relevance or quality, not indexing.
- If the site was there and has disappeared, see why a website disappears from Google.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take Google to index a new website?
Google says it can take a few weeks for it to notice a new site or changes to an existing one.
Do I have to pay to be on Google?
No. Appearing in Google’s organic results is free.
Why does my site show for its name but not for my services?
Being indexed isn’t the same as ranking. Your pages need to be the best match for those searches.
Not sure where your site stands?
Request a free SEO audit. We’ll check indexing, technical health and your key pages, and tell you what to fix first.
Sources
- Google Search Central: SEO Starter Guide
- Google Search Central: Google Search technical requirements
- Search Console Help: URL Inspection tool
- Search Console Help: Manage your sitemaps using the Sitemaps report
Last reviewed October 14, 2026.
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