google crawl errors

Google Crawl Errors: Diagnose & Fix with Google Search Console

Key takeaways

• Understanding and fixing crawl errors is crucial for SEO success.
• Google Search Console is your primary tool for identifying these issues.
• Common errors include server errors, redirects, and blocked resources.
• Regularly monitor your website's crawl status to catch issues early.
• Prioritize fixing errors that affect important pages and user experience.

How indexing actually works (mental model)

Google uses "crawlers" (also known as "spiders" or "bots") to discover and index web pages. These crawlers follow links from page to page, exploring the internet.

When a crawler visits a page, it analyzes the content, code, and links. This information is then used to determine the page's relevance and rank it in search results.

If a crawler encounters errors, it can't properly index the page, leading to lower visibility in search results. Therefore, fixing these errors is vital.

Pages vs backlinks: what 'indexed' means

Being "indexed" means Google has added a page to its index, making it eligible to appear in search results. This is different from having backlinks. Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to your website. While backlinks are a ranking factor, they don't guarantee indexing. A page must be crawled and indexed to benefit from backlinks.

Fast wins

• Fix broken links (404 errors) on your site.
• Ensure your site has a valid sitemap submitted to Google Search Console.
• Check your robots.txt file for any accidental blocking of important pages.
• Improve your site's loading speed.
• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
• Submit your updated sitemap after making changes.
• Use a tool like this link to get a quick SEO score.

Long-term fixes

• Optimize your website's internal linking structure.
• Ensure your server is reliable and doesn't experience frequent downtime.
• Address any content quality issues, such as thin or duplicate content.
• Improve your website's overall user experience.
• Regularly monitor your website's performance and address any emerging issues.

Step-by-step workflow

1. Sign in to Google Search Console.
2. Select your website property.
3. Navigate to the "Coverage" report.
4. Identify any pages with "Error" status.
5. Click on an error type to see affected URLs.
6. Examine the details of each error.
7. Determine the root cause of the error.
8. Fix the error on your website.
9. Use the "URL Inspection" tool to test the fix.
10. Request Google to re-index the fixed URL.
11. Monitor the "Coverage" report for resolved errors.
12. Repeat these steps for all identified errors.
13. Regularly check the "Coverage" report for new issues.
14. Consider using a tool to monitor your site's health and performance.

Troubleshooting matrix (no tables)

• Symptom: 404 error (page not found). Cause: Broken link or deleted page. Confirm: Check the URL in Google Search Console. Fix: Redirect the broken link to a relevant page or remove the broken link.
• Symptom: Server error (5xx). Cause: Server downtime or configuration issue. Confirm: Check your server logs. Fix: Contact your hosting provider to resolve the server issue.
• Symptom: Redirect error. Cause: Incorrect redirect configuration. Confirm: Use a redirect checker tool. Fix: Correct the redirect configuration in your .htaccess file or server settings.
• Symptom: Crawl anomaly. Cause: Googlebot is having trouble accessing the site. Confirm: Check the "Crawl Stats" report in Google Search Console. Fix: Ensure the site is not blocking Googlebot.
• Symptom: Robots.txt blocking. Cause: Robots.txt file is blocking pages. Confirm: Check your robots.txt file. Fix: Remove the disallow directives for the blocked pages.
• Symptom: DNS resolution issues. Cause: Problems resolving your domain name. Confirm: Use a DNS lookup tool. Fix: Contact your domain registrar or hosting provider.
• Symptom: URL not found. Cause: The URL is incorrect. Confirm: Check the URL in the browser. Fix: Correct the URL.
• Symptom: Page is slow to load. Cause: Slow server response time or large page size. Confirm: Use a page speed testing tool. Fix: Optimize images, enable caching, and improve server response time.

Mini case studies

Scenario: A crucial product page is not being indexed.

Diagnosis: Google Search Console shows a "Crawled - currently not indexed" error. Further investigation reveals a canonical tag pointing to the wrong URL. A practical reference is available at this update .

Fix: Correct the canonical tag to point to the correct product page URL. After submitting the fix and requesting re-indexing, the page was indexed within a few days.

Scenario: A website owner notices that backlinks from a high-authority site are not being discovered or counted.

Diagnosis: The backlinks are present, but Google is not recognizing them. Crawl errors are present on the target pages.

Fix: The website owner fixed the crawl errors, and the backlinks were subsequently discovered and counted. You can also check this link for more details on link building.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring crawl errors in Google Search Console.
• Incorrectly using the robots.txt file.
• Not submitting a sitemap to Google Search Console.
• Having a slow website.
• Using duplicate content.
• Not optimizing internal linking.
• Ignoring mobile-friendliness.
• Not fixing broken links.
• Using overly complex website architecture.
• Not monitoring your website's crawl status regularly.
• Ignoring the "Coverage" report in Google Search Console.
• Not understanding the difference between indexing and ranking.

FAQ

Q: What are crawl errors?

A: Crawl errors are issues that prevent Googlebot from accessing and indexing your website's pages.

Q: How do I find crawl errors?

A: Use Google Search Console's "Coverage" report to identify crawl errors.

Q: What causes 404 errors?

A: 404 errors occur when a requested page is not found, typically due to broken links or deleted pages. For additional details, see see the documentation .

Q: What is a server error?

A: Server errors (5xx errors) indicate a problem with your website's server.

Q: How do I fix a broken link?

A: Redirect the broken link to a relevant page or remove the broken link.

Q: What is a sitemap?

A: A sitemap is a file that lists all the pages on your website, helping search engines crawl and index your site. For additional details, see official guide .

Q: How do I submit a sitemap?

A: Submit your sitemap through Google Search Console.

Q: What is robots.txt?

A: Robots.txt is a file that tells search engine crawlers which pages or files the crawler can or can't request from your site.

Q: How can I improve my website's loading speed?

A: Optimize images, enable caching, and improve server response time.

Q: Where can I learn more about SEO?

A: You can learn more here about the basics of SEO and related topics.

Conclusion

Addressing google crawl errors is an ongoing process that requires diligent monitoring and proactive fixes. By understanding the causes of these errors and implementing the solutions outlined in this guide, you can significantly improve your website's indexing, visibility, and ultimately, its search engine rankings. Remember to regularly check Google Search Console and stay informed about the latest SEO best practices. For further reading, see the details on related topics.