Why isn't my business showing up on Google?

Usually Google hasn't indexed your website yet, or something on the site is keeping it out. Check the site in Google Search Console, which is free. A new site can take a few days to a few weeks to be crawled. A noindex tag keeps a page out of Google, and a robots.txt block stops Google reading it.

If it's your listing on Google Maps that's missing, that comes from a Google Business Profile instead. See why a business doesn't show on Google Maps.

First, see what Google has

Check it yourself: search Google for site:yourbusiness.com. If nothing comes up, Google probably hasn't indexed your site. Google says this search doesn't always list every page it has, so treat it as a rough check.

For a proper answer, add your site to Google Search Console. It's free, and it's Google's own tool for site owners. Paste your home page address into the URL Inspection box at the top.

• "URL is on Google" means the page is indexed.
• "URL is not on Google" means it isn't. The tool usually says why.

The usual reasons

• The site is new. Google says crawling can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Asking again and again won't speed it up.
• A noindex tag. This tells Google not to list a page. Some website builders have a "hide from search engines" setting that adds it. Check that setting is off.
• A robots.txt block. A line like Disallow: / in yourbusiness.com/robots.txt stops Google reading your pages.
• A password or "coming soon" page. Google can't index what a visitor can't see.
• Nothing links to the site. Google finds pages by following links. Add your website to your Business Profile and your social pages.
• It's indexed, but further down. Searching your exact business name is different from searching "plumber near me". Google says being indexed isn't a guarantee of appearing for every search.

Help Google find every page

• Submit a sitemap. It lists your pages for Google. Add it in Search Console's Sitemaps report. Builders such as Wix and Squarespace make one for you, usually at yourbusiness.com/sitemap.xml.
• Give every page a clear title and heading. "Boiler repairs in [your town]" tells Google what a page is about. "Home" doesn't.
• Check the Page indexing report in Search Console now and then. It lists pages Google left out, with the reason.

Common questions

Do I have to pay Google to appear in search results?

No. Google says it doesn't cost any money to appear in its search results. Ads are a separate, paid product.

How long does it take for a new website to show up on Google?

Google says crawling can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Submit your sitemap in Search Console and request indexing for your home page once. Repeating the request won't make it faster.

My website shows up, but my business isn't on Google Maps. Why?

Google Maps listings come from Google Business Profile, not from your website. You need a verified profile. Our guide to showing up on Google Maps explains the steps.

Is Bing worth bothering with?

It takes a few minutes to set up. Bing Webmaster Tools is free and can import your site straight from Search Console. Microsoft says Bing also powers other search and AI tools, including ChatGPT.

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Sitecomb checks the parts of your website that help Google read it. That means page titles, headings, broken links, and your sitemap and robots file. They're part of one report across six areas, for €9.99.