How to Fix “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” in Google Search Console: Insights for Food & Beverage Brands

Navigating the digital landscape can be challenging, especially when your website faces indexing issues. One common problem food and beverage brands encounter is the "Crawled – Currently Not Indexed" status in Google Search Console (GSC). This issue can hinder your brand's online visibility, affecting your search engine rankings and, ultimately, your business growth. Here’s a detailed guide on how to address this issue and optimize your website for better indexing.

1. Provide High-Quality Content

Content is king. If your website features low-quality or irrelevant content, Google might crawl but not index it. Ensure your pages provide unique, valuable information that satisfies user intent. High-quality content should be engaging, informative, and relevant to your audience.

For instance, consider a food and beverage brand specializing in organic products. Your content should highlight the benefits of organic ingredients, share delicious recipes, and provide insights into sustainable farming practices. This not only attracts readers but also establishes your brand as an authority in the niche.

2. Perform Manual Indexing Review

Sometimes, pages that were indexed in the past get deindexed. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as algorithm updates or changes in content quality. Regularly review your pages in GSC to identify any that have been deindexed.

For example, a client’s recipe page that was popular a few months ago might have been deindexed because a newer, higher-quality recipe took its place. By comparing the old and new versions, you can identify what improvements are needed to regain indexing.

3. Optimize Website Architecture and Use Internal Links

A well-structured website with clear navigation aids in better indexing. Ensure your site architecture is user-friendly, and all important pages are easily accessible. Use internal links to connect your pages, signaling to Google which content is valuable.

For a food and beverage brand, linking product pages to related blog posts or recipes can enhance user experience and improve indexing. For instance, linking a product page for artisanal cheese to a blog post about wine pairings creates a cohesive structure that benefits both users and search engines.

4. Get Rid of Duplicates

Duplicate content is a major red flag for Google. It can occur due to various reasons, such as having mobile and desktop versions of the same page. Ensure you remove or consolidate duplicate content.

Consider a scenario where a client’s food blog has duplicate articles about the benefits of a particular superfood. Consolidate these into one comprehensive article and use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version to Google.

5. Request Re-indexing

After addressing content and structural issues, use the URL Inspection Tool in GSC to request a re-crawl of the page. This can expedite the process of getting your pages back into Google’s index.

For example, if a client’s promotional page for a new product launch wasn’t indexed initially, requesting a re-crawl after making necessary improvements ensures it’s promptly indexed, maximizing its visibility during the launch period.

6. Use a Temporary Sitemap or Validate URLs

Creating a temporary sitemap with URLs that are not indexed can help. Submit this sitemap to GSC to prompt Google to re-crawl these pages. Additionally, validate URLs in the “Crawled – currently not indexed” report to identify any issues.

Imagine a client’s site where multiple new product pages are not indexed. A temporary sitemap ensures these URLs are highlighted to Google, facilitating quicker indexing.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring your food and beverage brand’s website is fully indexed is crucial for maintaining online visibility and driving traffic. By providing high-quality content, optimizing your website structure, eliminating duplicates, and actively managing indexing through GSC, you can overcome the “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” issue.

Example from My Experience

In my role as a social media strategist and content creator, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of these practices. For instance, while working with Topo Chico, we faced similar indexing challenges. By revamping the content, improving site architecture, and actively managing our GSC, we were able to enhance our search engine visibility significantly.

Actionable Tips

• Review Content Regularly: Ensure your content stays relevant and high-quality.

• Optimize Site Structure: Make your site easy to navigate with clear internal linking.

• Eliminate Duplicate Content: Use canonical tags and consolidate similar content.

• Engage with GSC: Regularly monitor and manage your site’s indexing status.

Addressing these issues not only improves your search engine rankings but also enhances user experience, driving engagement and loyalty.

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I am an Ad-Age, Emmy, Shorty, Telly, and Webby Award-Winning Social Media Strategist and Content Creator for outdoor lifestyle, adventure, travel, and recreation brands. With 20 years of experience in digital storytelling, I have partnered with leading outdoor lifestyle, travel, adventure, food & beverage brands and broadcast tv programs to captivate audiences and elevate brand narratives. My expertise lies in crafting impactful social media strategies that engage communities and drive brand loyalty.