A backlink counts only when Google indexes the page that carries it. This page lists eight causes of non-indexation, the check that confirms each one, and the fix, explains the two not-indexed statuses in Google Search Console, and shows how to test whether a linking page on another site is indexed.
What does it mean for a backlink to be indexed?
A backlink is indexed when Google has crawled the page that carries the link and stored that page in its index. Only indexed pages appear in search results, and only links on indexed pages count toward a link profile.
Crawling is the step where Google’s crawler fetches a page. Indexing is the step where Google processes the page and stores it. A link can exist on a live page and still count for nothing while the page sits outside the index.
Why do backlinks not get indexed?
Backlinks fail to index because the linking page blocks indexing, duplicates other content, has no links pointing to it, or sits on a low-value host. Eight causes cover these cases: noindex, robots.txt, canonical, thin content, duplicate content, orphan status, host quality and crawl delay.
| Cause | Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Noindex tag | Page source holds a robots meta tag with noindex | Remove the tag, or move the link to another page |
| Robots.txt block | The robots.txt file disallows the page path | Remove the disallow rule |
| Canonical elsewhere | The canonical tag points to a different URL | Point the canonical at the page itself |
| Thin content | The page holds a few sentences and a link | Expand the page to a full article |
| Duplicate content | A search for a unique sentence returns another site | Replace the text with original copy |
| Orphan page | No internal link or sitemap entry reaches the page | Add internal links and a sitemap entry |
| Low-value host | The domain shows no organic traffic and few indexed pages | Move the link to a stronger host |
| Crawl delay | The page is new and Search Console shows no crawl yet | Wait two to four weeks, then act |
The rel attribute does not decide indexation. A page that holds only nofollow links is indexed on its own merits, and the comparison of follow vs nofollow covers how the attribute changes the value of a link once the page is indexed.
What do the Search Console not-indexed statuses mean?
“Discovered – currently not indexed” means Google knows the URL but has not crawled it; “Crawled – currently not indexed” means Google crawled the page but did not index it. Google makes no promise that either page will be indexed later.
The Page indexing report in Google Search Console lists both statuses for a verified property. A page in the first state waits for crawl capacity. A page in the second state failed a quality or duplication test and needs content changes before a new crawl helps.
How do you check whether a backlink is indexed?
Search the linking page’s exact URL in Google, run a site: query on the host, and confirm the page returns an HTTP 200 status. URL Inspection in Search Console reports index status only for properties you have verified.
- URL search: paste the full URL of the linking page into Google and look for the page in the results.
- Site query: type
site:example.com/page-pathand look for the page in the results. - Status check: confirm the linking page answers with HTTP 200, which the URL Status & Broken Link Checker reports for any URL.
The three checks give a working answer for third-party pages. Only the site owner sees the authoritative status in Search Console.
How do you get backlinks indexed?
Get backlinks indexed by linking to the linking page from other crawled pages, adding it to a sitemap when you own it, fixing noindex and canonical errors, and waiting for the crawl. Pages on low-value hosts index slowly or not at all.
- Link to the linking page from other pages that Google already crawls.
- Add the page to a sitemap when you control the host.
- Fix noindex, robots.txt and canonical errors on pages you control.
- Support the linking page with Tier-2 links, which are links that point to the page that carries your link.
- Allow two to four weeks for the next crawl before acting again.
Tier-2 support is built into the Web 2.0 packages, where each hosted post receives supporting links.
Do backlink indexers work?
Backlink indexers push a URL toward Google’s crawler through pings, links and submission tools, and results vary by page quality. They solve discovery, not quality; a page that fails quality checks stays out of the index however it is submitted.
The same quality tests decide the outcome for bought links, covered in the page on the risk of paid links.
Backlink Agency backs delivery with a 30-day index guarantee: any link that Google has not indexed within 30 days of delivery is replaced free. The guarantee covers indexation of delivered links and makes no claim about ranking.
Related: links with a 30-day index guarantee, more backlink questions answered, the timeline after indexing, and Tier 2 support for indexing.