Noindex Tag Issues
Overview
Noindex tags instruct search engines not to index a page. Accidental or incorrect use can cause important pages to disappear from search results.
Common Causes
- Noindex tags left on live pages after development
- CMS plugins adding noindex by default
- Incorrect robots meta tag configuration
- Site-wide noindex applied during redesigns
How the Problem Appears
- Pages missing from search results
- Search Console shows “Excluded by noindex tag”
- Sudden drop in indexed pages
How It Is Diagnosed
- Inspecting page source for noindex meta tags
- Reviewing CMS and plugin settings
- Checking Search Console coverage reports
Typical Fix
- Remove noindex tags from important pages
- Update CMS/plugin settings
- Request reindexing in Search Console