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If you’ve ever checked Google Search Console and seen messages like “URL is available to Google” or “URL is not on Google,” you may have wondered:
- Is my page indexed or not?
- Why is Google aware of my URL but not showing it in search?
- Do I need to fix something?
These two statuses sound similar, but they mean very different things for your SEO and visibility.
In this guide, we’ll break down the actual difference, what each status means, why it happens, and what actions you should take to improve your website’s presence in Google Search.
Understanding Google’s Process: Crawl → Index → Rank
Before comparing the two statuses, it’s important to understand how Google works:
- Crawling – Google discovers your page via links, sitemaps, or direct submission.
- Indexing – Google analyzes the content and decides whether to store it in its index.
- Ranking – Indexed pages compete to appear in search results.
The key difference between “available to Google” and “not on Google” lies mainly in indexing, not crawling.
What Does “URL is Available to Google” Mean?
When Google Search Console says “URL is available to Google,” it means:
- Google can crawl the page
- The page is not blocked by robots.txt
- There are no major technical restrictions
- The page may or may not be indexed
In simple terms, Google has access to the page, but it hasn’t necessarily decided to include it in search results.
Common Scenarios Under “URL is Available to Google”
- The page is discovered but not indexed
- The page is indexed but not ranking yet
- Google is still evaluating the page’s quality
- The page is new and awaiting processing
Typical Reasons Why It’s Not Indexed Yet
- Thin or low-value content
- Duplicate or very similar content
- Low internal linking
- Weak SEO signals
- Page is new and not yet prioritized
What You Should Do
- Improve content quality and depth
- Add internal links from relevant pages
- Ensure proper headings and keywords
- Request indexing in Google Search Console
- Be patient (indexing can take days or weeks)
What Does “URL is Not on Google” Mean?
When you see “URL is not on Google,” it means:
- The page is not indexed
- The page does not appear in search results
- Google may or may not know about the URL
This is a more serious status because it means your page has zero visibility in Google Search.
Common Reasons Why a URL is Not on Google
- Noindex Tag Present
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>
This explicitly tells Google not to index the page.
- Blocked by robots.txt
If crawling is blocked, Google can’t index the page properly.
- Canonical Points Elsewhere
Google may index a different URL instead of this one.
- Page Not Discovered
- No internal links
- Not included in XML sitemap
- No backlinks
- Low-Quality or Duplicate Content
Google may choose not to index pages that don’t add value.
- Soft 404 or Server issues
Pages that appear empty, broken, or unreliable may be excluded.
Key Differences: Available to Google vs. Not on Google
| Aspect | URL is Available to Google | URL is Not on Google |
| Crawling | Allowed | May or may not be |
| Indexing | Possible | Not indexed |
| Visibility | Potential | None |
| Severity | Moderate | High |
| Action Needed | Optimization | Technical + Content Fix |
How to Check and Fix Each Status
For “URL is Available to Google”
- Improve content depth and relevance
- Strengthen internal linking
- Optimize title tags and headings
- Avoid duplicate content
- Request indexing manually
For “URL is Not on Google”
- Remove noindex tags
- Fix robots.txt blocking
- Add the page to your XML sitemap
- Ensure canonical URLs are correct
- Improve content quality
- Check server response (must return 200 OK)
Which Status is Better?
From an SEO standpoint:
- “URL is available to Google” is much better
- “URL is not on Google” requires urgent attention
The first means you’re close to indexing.
The second means you’re not in the game at all.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between “URL is available to Google” and “URL is not on Google” can save you countless hours of SEO confusion.
Available to Google = Google can access your page, but quality and signals matter
Not on Google = Your page is invisible and needs fixing
If your goal is to increase organic traffic, indexing is non-negotiable. Always ensure your most important pages are not just crawlable, but valuable enough for Google to index and rank.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does “URL is Available to Google” mean in Google Search Console?
It means Google can crawl and index the page without any technical restrictions. The URL isn’t blocked by robots.txt, noindex tags, authentication, or server errors—so it’s eligible to appear in search results.
Why does Google show “URL is Not on Google” even though the page exists?
This usually happens when the page is new, low-quality, duplicated, blocked, or not yet crawled. It can also occur if Google has crawled the URL but decided not to index it due to thin content or lack of SEO signals.
Does “URL is Available to Google” guarantee rankings in SERPs?
No. Availability only means the page can be indexed, not that it will rank well. Rankings depend on content quality, relevance, backlinks, user experience, and overall site authority.
How can I fix a “URL is Not on Google” issue?
Start by checking:
- Robots.txt and meta noindex tags
- Canonical URL settings
- Crawl errors in Google Search Console
- Content quality and duplication
- After fixing issues, use Request Indexing in GSC to speed up re-indexing.
Which status is better for SEO: Available to Google or Not on Google?
“URL is Available to Google” is always better for SEO because it allows your page to be indexed and compete in search results. A “Not on Google” URL brings zero organic visibility until the issue is resolved.
