WordPress Indexing Request Rejected–12 Easy Fixes

So you made changes to your WordPress site and want Google to show your new pages fast. You go to Google Search Console and request indexing.

But instead of a quick approval, you get a message: “Indexing request rejected.” What do you do now?

Thankfully, you are not alone. Many site owners see this error. It appears especially after adding new posts, fixing old pages, or launching a fresh section on their site. Maybe you changed something important and want Google to notice. Or you fixed a problem and need Google to recheck your page. Either way, getting this error can slow you down. It can also feel confusing and a bit frustrating.

This problem often shows up with the message “URL is not on Google.” You might even see reasons like “Crawled – currently not indexed,” or “Blocked by robots.txt.” All these messages mean Google isn’t showing your page in its search results yet.

There are many reasons this happens. Sometimes it’s a technical issue, like a noindex tag or a robots.txt block. Other times, it’s about content quality or even Google’s rules.

The good news? Most of these issues are fixable with a few common checks and steps. In this article, we’ll walk you through simple ways to fix this error for your WordPress site. So let’s get your pages to appear on Google, where users can find them.

TL;DR: The indexing request rejected error in WordPress is common but usually easy to fix. Check for things like noindex tags, robots.txt blocks, and content quality issues. Adding a trusted WordPress security plugin to your site keeps it safe and makes it easier for Google to index your pages.

1. Check for manual actions

Sometimes, Google puts a manual action on your site. This is like a penalty, and it can stop your pages from showing in search results. Google does this if it thinks your site has broken its guidelines, such as having spammy content or unnatural links.

To check for manual actions, go to Google Search Console. On the left, click Security & Manual Actions, then choose Manual Actions. If your site has a problem, you will see a message here. For example, you might see a warning about spammy pages or paid links.

If there is a manual action, read the message carefully to find out what’s wrong. Fix the issue. Maybe you need to remove some spammy text or delete unnatural links.

Once your site is clean and follows the rules, go back to Google Search Console. Click Request Review to ask Google to check your site again. If everything looks good, Google will remove the penalty, and your site can get indexed again.

2. Ensure the page is indexable

Sometimes, you get the indexing request rejected error for pages simply because they are set not to be indexed. This can happen by accident, often through your SEO plugin settings.

To fix this, start by editing your page or post in WordPress. Look for the SEO settings area. If you use plugins like Yoast or Rank Math, they usually put a meta box under your content editor.

For example, if you have Yoast SEO, scroll down to the Yoast SEO meta box. Click the Advanced tab. Here, you’ll see the choice for Allow search engines to show this Page in search results? Make sure this is set to Yes. This lets Google index your page.

If you use another SEO plugin, like Rank Math or All in One SEO, check for a noindex option. Make sure this is turned off so your page is indexable.

After making changes, click Update or Save on your page. Your changes will help Google know it can add your page to its search results.

3. Check robots.txt

Your robots.txt file can tell Google which parts of your site it should not crawl. If this file blocks important pages, Google won’t index them and you will see indexing request rejected errors.

First, go to yoursite.com/robots.txt in your browser. Look for any lines that say Disallow: / or Disallow: /your-page/. These lines tell search engines not to crawl your whole site or certain pages. For example, Disallow: / blocks everything, and Disallow: /blog/ blocks your blog.

If you find rules blocking pages you want on Google, you need to fix them. Open your WordPress dashboard and install a plugin like Yoast SEO. Then, go to Yoast SEO > Tools > File Editor to change your robots.txt file.

Remove or put a # (hashtag) in front of any lines that block the pages you want indexed. This way, search engines know they are allowed to visit and index those pages.

Save your changes. Now Google and other search engines can crawl your important pages again.

4. Verify sitemap submission

A sitemap helps Google find your important pages. It acts like a roadmap for your website. If your sitemap is missing or has errors, Google may have trouble indexing your content and show indexing request rejected errors.

To check your sitemap, go to Google Search Console. On the left side, click on Sitemaps. Make sure your sitemap (for example, yoursite.com/sitemap.xml) is listed and shows a status of Success. If the status shows an error, Google might not be able to read it, so your pages won’t get indexed.

If you have added or removed important pages, always update your sitemap. Most WordPress SEO plugins, like Yoast or Rank Math, create a sitemap for you.

Copy your sitemap URL and go back to the Search Console. Paste it into the Sitemaps section and click Submit. This tells Google where to look. With your sitemap up to date, Google can find and index your important pages more easily.

5. Review using the URL inspection tool

If you tried indexing your page in Google Search Console, you have already used its handy tool called URL inspection. It lets you check how Google sees a specific page on your site.

To use it, copy the full URL of the page you want to check. In Google Search Console, paste this URL into the top search bar. After a few seconds, you’ll see a report about your page.

Look for messages like Crawled – currently not indexed or Blocked by robots.txt. These messages tell you why Google isn’t showing your page in search results. Sometimes, you’ll see tips or suggestions right in the report.

Make sure to read the recommendations carefully. Fix any problems listed, such as removing a block in robots.txt or improving your page. Once you fix the issue, you can test again to see if the indexing request rejected error is gone. This simple step helps you understand and solve indexing problems, one page at a time.

6. Reduce crawl errors

Crawl errors can stop Google from indexing your pages. These errors happen when your page does not load properly. For Google to index your page, it should load with a 200 HTTP status code. This means the page is working fine.

If your page returns a 404 error, it means the page does not exist. A 500 error means there is a server problem. If your page has 301 or 302 codes, it means the page is redirecting somewhere else. Google may skip indexing these pages by mistake if the redirect is not needed.

You can check your page status easily. Use an online tool like httpstatus.io. Type in your page URL and see what status it shows. If it is not 200, fix the problem on your site. Fix broken pages, remove unnecessary redirects, and make sure your site is running smoothly.

Doing this helps Google crawl and index your site without errors like indexing request rejected.

7. Use canonical tags correctly

Canonical tags help Google understand which version of a page you want to show in search results. If these tags point to the wrong page, your content might not get indexed or may show up under the wrong URL.

To check your canonical tag, open your page in a browser. Right-click and choose View Page Source. Look for a line that looks like this: <link rel="canonical" href="...">. It is usually located within the <head> </head> tags. Make sure the href link matches the correct, preferred URL for your page.

If you see the wrong URL—maybe it points to a different page or even another website—you need to fix it. Go into your SEO plugin’s settings, search for the canonical URL option, and enter the correct one.

This simple step can prevent confusion for search engines and help them index the right page. Always double-check your canonical tags when fixing indexing request rejected issues.

8. Improve page quality

Google wants high-quality, helpful pages in its search results. If your page is thin or copied from somewhere else, it might lead to indexing request rejected errors.

Start by making your content original. Write in your own words, and make sure it gives value to your readers. Aim for at least a few hundred words, so your page looks complete.

Avoid using content that is the same or almost the same as on other pages. Each page should have its own unique information.

Make your page easy to read. Add headings to organize your content. Use images to break up the text and add links to helpful resources when relevant.

Check your page for old or wrong information. Update these parts so your page is useful and up-to-date. Remove any placeholder text, like “lorem ipsum,” that does not belong there.

Every page should have a clear purpose. When your content is helpful, well-organized, and fresh, Google is more likely to index it.

9. Check for malware, hacks, or security issues

Google will not index your pages if your site has malware or security issues. This is to protect people searching the web. You need to keep your site clean and safe to stay in Google’s index and avoid indexing request rejected errors.

First, log in to Google Search Console and go to Security Issues. Here, Google will tell you if it found any malware, hacked content, or other risks.

Next, run a malware scan on your website. You can use WordPress security plugins for this. These tools check your site for hidden problems or hacks. Remove all malware found, right away. Your WordPress security plugin should let you clean your site with just a few clicks.

Once your site is safe and the problem is fixed, go back to Search Console and submit a review request. This tells Google your site is clean and ready to be indexed again. Keeping your site secure protects your visitors and helps you stay visible in search results.

10. Update your WordPress site

Keeping your WordPress site up to date is very important. Old versions of WordPress, themes, or plugins can cause problems. Sometimes, these problems make your site vulnerable or stop Google from indexing your pages.

New updates often fix bugs and close security holes. If your site is outdated, it could run into errors or even get hacked. Both issues can affect your site’s place in Google search and cause indexing request rejected errors.

To stay safe, always update WordPress, your themes, and all plugins. Before you update, take a full backup of your site. This way, if something goes wrong, you can restore your site quickly. You should also create a staging site and test updates on it before applying them to your live site. This way, you know what to expect after the updates and prevent any surprises.

Regular updates help your website run smoothly and keep Google happy. A healthy site is much more likely to be indexed and found in search results.

11. Avoid excessive indexing requests

You may find it tempting to keep clicking the Request Indexing button in Search Console. But submitting too many indexing requests for the same URL can backfire. Instead, Google may temporarily block or reject your requests if it sees that you are repeating them a lot.

Instead, only request indexing after making real, important changes to your page. For example, if you fix a big error or update the main content, then it makes sense to ask Google to re-crawl the page.

Be patient and careful with indexing requests. This helps you avoid delays and keeps Google from ignoring your site. Use the request feature wisely to get the best results and avoid indexing request rejected issues.

Only request indexing after you have made important updates or fixed problems on your page. There’s no need to submit a URL again and again if you have not made any big changes.

Give Google time to process your latest request. This way, you avoid getting flagged and your site can stay on track for indexing.

12. Wait before resubmitting

Sometimes, Google needs extra time to review a page after you request indexing. If you try to resubmit the same URL too soon, your request may get rejected again and you might face indexing request rejected issues.

It’s best to wait a few days after submitting a page for indexing. In some cases, it may take up to a week for Google to process your request. Only try again sooner if you have made urgent, important fixes to your page.

Give Google a little time! It helps your site avoid problems and makes sure your changes get noticed. Patience pays off when dealing with search engines. Trust us, we know!

What causes the indexing request rejected error?

Many different issues can cause the indexing request rejected error in WordPress. Most problems are easy to spot once you know what to look for. Here are the main reasons why Google might reject your indexing request:

How to prevent the indexing request rejected error?

You can avoid most indexing request rejected errors by following a few simple steps. Keeping your WordPress site clean, updated, and valuable for users makes it much easier for Google to crawl and index your pages. Here are some easy ways to prevent this error:

Final thoughts

Getting past the indexing request rejected error can feel tough, but don’t give up. Most of the time, the fixes are simple. Check the basics, keep your content strong, and avoid small mistakes like “noindex” tags or broken links. Stay patient. Google can take time to update its results, even after you do everything right.

Keeping your site safe is also a big part of getting indexed. A trusted WordPress security plugin protects your site and your users’ data. MalCare is a great tool for this. It has a smart malware scanner, one-click malware removal, and a strong firewall. It also provides real-time backups and checks for any vulnerabilities. MalCare runs its scans without slowing down your site, so you stay safe and fast. By keeping your site secure, you make it easier for Google to trust—and index—your pages.

FAQs

How do I fix indexing error?

To fix an indexing error, start by checking if your page has a noindex tag or is blocked in robots.txt. Remove those if found. Make sure your page loads without errors and has helpful, original content. Use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool to see what the problem is, then follow the steps it suggests. Update your sitemap and, if needed, ask Google to index your page again.

How to fix requested URL rejected?

To fix the “requested URL rejected” error, first check if your page is set to noindex or is blocked in your robots.txt file. Make sure the page exists, loads without errors, and is not behind a login or paywall. Improve your content if it is thin or not useful. Then, use Google Search Console to inspect the URL and follow any tips it gives you before requesting indexing again.

What is request indexing?

Request indexing is a feature in Google Search Console that lets you ask Google to crawl and add a specific page to its search results. You use it when you create a new page or make changes to an existing one. This helps Google notice your updates faster and show them in search results sooner.