What is the correct procedure for handling a 'Discovered - currently not indexed' error in Google Search Console, assuming no robots.txt rules block the URL?
The 'Discovered - currently not indexed' error in Google Search Console indicates that Googlebot has found the URL but hasn't yet crawled or indexed it. Assuming robots.txt isn't the issue, the correct procedure involves several steps. First, use the URL Inspection tool in Search Console to request indexing for the specific URL. This submits the page directly to Google's indexing queue, but doesn't guarantee immediate indexing. Second, improve the internal linking structure to the page. Ensure that the page is linked from other relevant, high-authority pages on your website. This signals to Google that the page is important. Third, verify that the page provides high-quality, original content. Google prioritizes indexing pages with unique and valuable information. Thin content, duplicate content, or content lacking sufficient value may be deprioritized. Fourth, check the page's Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) to ensure it provides a good user experience. Poor performance can deter Google from indexing. Finally, monitor the page's status in the Index Coverage report over time. If the issue persists despite these efforts, it may indicate a deeper problem, such as low site authority or crawl budget limitations. If crawl budget is a concern, optimize the site architecture to prioritize important pages.