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Official statement

It is not necessary to manually submit pages for indexing via Search Console. Google crawls and indexes sites automatically. Using an XML sitemap is the recommended method to inform Google about updates.
24:21
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

💬 EN 📅 21/10/2021 ✂ 25 statements
Watch on YouTube (24:21) →
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  8. 20:08 Should you really disavow all spam backlinks?
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  10. 22:22 How does the change in CLS calculation affect your SEO strategy?
  11. 24:21 Why does Google keep its manual indexing quotas a secret?
  12. 28:08 Why are Google’s indexing delays getting longer for certain websites?
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  14. 33:12 Why is it essential to list multiple authors in structured data for SEO?
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  20. 49:49 Why are external URL parameters beyond our control in SEO?
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  24. 54:14 Should you consider using a CDN like Cloudflare for your SEO strategy?
📅
Official statement from (4 years ago)
TL;DR

No need for manual page submission for indexing on Google. Indexing happens automatically, and an XML sitemap is recommended for updates.

What you need to understand

Does Google really handle everything?

Google claims that its search engine is advanced enough to automatically crawl and index your pages. This means that, theoretically, webmasters no longer need to spend time manually submitting their pages through Google Search Console.

Why should you use an XML sitemap?

The XML sitemap is the tool recommended by Google to ensure its bots are informed about updates to your site. This notably facilitates the indexing of new pages or modifications.

  • Automation of the indexing process.
  • XML sitemap as a best practice.
  • Focus on site optimization rather than manual submission.

SEO Expert opinion

Is this statement consistent with observed practices?

Generally, Google is correct: a good website should be indexed automatically. However, indexing issues can arise, especially with new or complex sites.

What nuances should be considered?

Google's statement works well in an ideal world, but SEO professionals often encounter exceptions. Sites built on exotic CMSs or with complex structures may sometimes require manual submission to resolve indexing issues.

[To be verified] The statement fails to mention specific cases of indexing failure.
Beware of sites with a lot of dynamically generated content: indexing may be less effective without direct intervention.

Practical impact and recommendations

What should you do concretely?

To ensure optimal indexing, always use an XML sitemap. Check its regular updates and correct submission within Search Console.

What mistakes should be avoided?

Don't underestimate potential indexing issues; regularly inspect your site's health in Search Console. Be cautious of unwanted "noindex" tags.

  • Keep your XML sitemap up to date.
  • Monitor indexing reports from Search Console.
  • Quickly fix crawling errors.
For optimal results, SEO experts can guide you in accurately implementing these recommendations.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Devons-nous vraiment oublier la soumission manuelle ?
En général, oui, mais dans certains cas spécifiques, elle peut toujours être utile.
Un sitemap XML est-il réellement crucial ?
Oui, il informe Google de façon systématique des nouvelles pages et des changements.
Que faire en cas de problème d'indexation ?
Utilisez Google Search Console pour analyser et résoudre les problèmes d'indexation.
🏷 Related Topics
Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO PDF & Files Search Console

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