Fix the 'Submitted URL Marked 'noindex'' Issue in Search Console

Managing the noindex directive in Google Search Console is essential for any SEO professional who wants tight control over a site's visibility. If you want a full overview of the tool first, read our reference guide on Google Search Console Indexing. This article focuses specifically on noindex: how to interpret it, diagnose the root cause, fix it efficiently and avoid unnecessary traffic loss.

Noindex in Google Search Console: Understand, Diagnose and Fix It Without Losing Visibility

Why Search Console Shows 'Submitted URL Marked 'noindex''

This status appears when a URL submitted via a sitemap (or discovered during crawling) contains an instruction not to be indexed, such as a noindex tag. In practice, it highlights a mismatch between what you are signalling strategically (you are encouraging Google to consider the URL) and what you are telling it technically (do not index this page). The outcome is straightforward: Google can crawl the page, but it will exclude it from the index, removing any chance of organic search traffic. At a business level, the impact can be material given Google accounts for close to 90% market share (see SEO statistics).

What Search Console Can (and Cannot) Do With a noindex Directive

Google Search Console helps you identify noindex issues (exclusion statuses, URL Inspection, last crawl date), but it does not apply the fix for you. Remediation must happen on the site itself: in templates, CMS settings or server configuration. The Search Console API can provide large-scale insights, but the actual correction remains a technical task. In short, Search Console supports diagnosis rather than implementation.

Where the noindex Directive Comes From (and How to Confirm It)

In the HTML: Meta Robots Tag and CMS Settings

Most commonly, noindex is placed in the HTML head, for example: <meta name='robots' content='noindex'>. It may be added via a CMS option, applied automatically to certain page types (tag archives, author pages) or introduced unintentionally during a staging-to-production deployment. To confirm what Google sees, check the rendered version and use URL Inspection in Search Console.

In the HTTP Header: X-Robots-Tag at Server Level

Noindex can also be sent via an HTTP response header (for example, X-Robots-Tag: noindex). This is common for non-HTML resources, and it may be introduced through server rules or a CDN. Because it is not visible in the HTML source, you need to review response headers and rely on Search Console's signals to pinpoint it.

In Templates: Pagination, Filters and Utility Pages

Many sites deliberately noindex pagination, low-value filtered URLs, internal search results, baskets and test pages. The risk is that a poorly placed rule in a template can affect high-value URLs. A sudden increase in exclusions in Search Console is often a sign of a template-level regression.

noindex vs robots.txt vs Canonicals vs Removal

noindex vs Blocking via robots.txt

Noindex prevents indexing, whereas robots.txt prevents crawling. If a URL is blocked by robots.txt, Google may never be able to access the page to see the noindex instruction. If your goal is to deindex a page using noindex, keep the URL crawlable until Search Console confirms the directive has been processed.

noindex vs Canonical

A page can be excluded if Google selects a different URL as the canonical. Mixing canonical signals and noindex across closely related pages can create contradictory instructions. The URL you want to rank should be indexable and technically consistent across its signals.

noindex vs Removal: 404/410, Redirects and Temporary Removals

Noindex is not an instant removal mechanism: the page can remain accessible and may still be crawled. For urgent situations (for example, sensitive content), Search Console offers a temporary removal option, but it is time-limited. For long-term removal, a 410 status is appropriate, or a 301 redirect when a relevant replacement exists.

Removing a noindex Tag Without Unintended SEO Side Effects

Pre-change Checklist

Before making changes, validate whether the page genuinely deserves indexation: does it serve a clear business purpose, target a meaningful query or attract internal or external links? Removing noindex indiscriminately can bloat your index and expose weak pages. With the top three results capturing over 75% of clicks (SEO statistics), prioritisation matters.

Removing noindex in the HTML

Delete the directive from the relevant template or page output, deploy and then verify across key page types (desktop and mobile) that no noindex remains, including in HTTP headers.

Removing noindex at Server Level

If the directive is coming from an HTTP header, update the server or CDN rules. Make sure a global configuration is not reapplying noindex to other important directories or file types.

After the Fix: Checks in Search Console

Inspect the URL, run a live test and request indexing if the page is strategically important. Then monitor the status over the following days: the return of impressions depends on recrawling and ranking dynamics.

How to Deindex a Page Effectively Using Search Console

Temporary Removals: Use Cases and Limits

A temporary removal can hide a URL quickly in search results, but it is not permanent. For lasting exclusion, you still need a technical action such as noindex, a 410 response or access restriction.

Permanent Deindexing: Choosing the Right Method

 
• noindex: the page remains accessible but will not appear in search results.
 
• 410: permanent removal for content that has been deleted or is obsolete.
 
• Authentication: best for confidential content, because noindex does not provide security.

Avoid routinely combining noindex with robots.txt blocking, as this can prevent Google from seeing the directive.

A Simple Decision Tree Based on Your Goal

 
• Confidential: use authentication.
 
• Obsolete: use 410, or 301 if there is a replacement.
 
• Duplicate: use canonical and add noindex on variants you do not want indexed where appropriate.

Advanced Troubleshooting: When a Page Stays Excluded or Reappears in the Index

Google Still Sees noindex: Key Checks

If Search Console still reports noindex, look for conflicting sources (HTML vs HTTP header), URL variants (parameters, trailing slashes, uppercase or lowercase) and what Googlebot actually renders. URL Inspection is the most reliable arbitration point.

Conflicting Signals: Sitemaps, Internal Links, Canonicals and Redirects

Ensure noindexed pages are removed from XML sitemaps and are not heavily promoted via internal linking. Avoid pointing canonicals or redirects at URLs that are not indexable. Fix the source of the signal, not only a single affected URL.

Monitoring Stabilisation: Timelines and Indicators

Removing noindex only takes effect after Googlebot recrawls the URL. Track the last crawl date, index coverage status changes and the recovery of impressions and clicks. For example, improving a meta description can lift CTR by +43% (SEO statistics).

Best Practice: Using noindex Methodically Within an SEO/GEO Strategy

Pages to Exclude First

Noindex is typically appropriate for:

 
• internal search pages and low-value faceted URLs;
 
• utility pages (basket, account, confirmation pages);
 
• temporary variants and test pages.

The goal is not to have zero exclusions, but to have the right exclusions.

Pages You Should Not Exclude Without Careful Thought

 
• high-potential categories;
 
• evergreen content (long-term traffic drivers);
 
• pages attracting inbound links.

A misapplied noindex can hide a broader content or structural problem. Evergreen content can also reduce marketing costs by up to 62% (SEO statistics).

Document Rules and Prevent Regressions

Maintain a clear list of which page types should be noindexed and which must remain indexable. Review rules before each release and audit exclusions regularly in Search Console. This reduces the risk of template errors that accidentally deindex entire sections.

Measuring Impact: Linking Indexation, Performance and ROI

Connecting Exclusions to Performance With Search Console and Analytics

Use Search Console to analyse exclusions alongside impressions, clicks and queries, then use Google Analytics to assess the impact on sessions and conversions. This combined view helps you determine whether a noindex is strategic or accidental.

Metrics to Track: Coverage, Impressions, CTR and Cannibalisation

 
• Coverage: trends in exclusion statuses caused by noindex.
 
• Impressions and clicks: watch for drops or recoveries on affected URLs.
 
• CTR: particularly relevant post-reindexing; optimise titles and meta data (an interrogative title can increase CTR by +14%).
 
• Cannibalisation: reindexing one page can shift visibility away from another if intent is too similar.

For broader trade-offs across SEO, SEA and GEO, you may also find our SEA statistics and GEO statistics helpful.

Operational Tracking With Incremys

Centralising Indexation Signals and Prioritising Actions

For digital marketing teams, the hardest part is rarely understanding how noindex works; it is quickly spotting where it has been applied and what it is costing you. Incremys integrates Google Search Console and Google Analytics via API to centralise indexation signals, track exclusions, analyse impression drops and measure performance. This helps you prioritise fixes whilst keeping full control over technical decisions.

FAQ: noindex and Google Search Console

How do I remove a noindex tag?

Identify where the noindex is set (in the HTML or in an HTTP header), remove it at the source (template, CMS setting or server configuration), deploy the change, then verify using URL Inspection in Search Console. If the page is important, request indexing to speed up processing.

How do I deindex a page in Google Search Console?

For a fast removal from results, use the temporary removals tool. For long-term exclusion, use noindex (accessible but not indexed), a 410 status (permanently gone) or authentication for confidential content. Use URL Inspection to confirm what Google is seeing.

Where is the noindex tag located?

It is either in the HTML (a meta robots tag) or delivered via an HTTP header such as X-Robots-Tag. It can also be injected by a template or environment rule. The most reliable way to confirm is URL Inspection in Search Console.

To explore more on SEO, GEO and digital marketing, browse additional resources on the Incremys blog.