The one tag that hides pages from Google

A single "noindex" tag tells Google to leave a page out of its results. It is often left on by mistake after a redesign.

A noindex tag is a short instruction in a page's code that tells search engines not to list the page. It is useful for test pages, and harmful anywhere else.

How it gets there

Website builders often add it while a site is being built. When the site goes live, the setting is sometimes forgotten.

How to find it

A site scan lists every page that carries the tag. Search Console also shows pages excluded by noindex.

How to remove it

Turn off the "hide from search engines" setting in your website builder, or remove the tag from the page template, then ask Google to check the page again.