Why Is My Website Not Showing on Google?
If your website isn't showing on Google, one of three things is happening: Google hasn't found it yet, something on the site is telling Google to stay away, or Google has it but ranks other sites above it. You can tell which one in about five minutes, and each has a different fix.
Most of the time, with a new site, it's the first. Google's own guide says some changes take effect in a few hours and others can take several months.
- Search
site:yourdomain.comon Google. No results means Google hasn't indexed you; results mean you're in, just not ranking. - Check for accidental blocks: a "noindex" setting left on from the build, or a robots.txt rule.
- Add the site to Google Search Console, submit a sitemap, and give it a few weeks before judging.
Step 1: Is Google aware of your site at all?
Type this into Google, with your own domain:
site:yourbusiness.com
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| No results at all | Google hasn't indexed your site. Go to steps 2 and 3. |
| Some pages, but not all | Google knows you, but some pages are missing or blocked. Check them in Search Console. |
| All your pages | You're indexed. The problem is ranking. Go to step 4. |
Google's guide is clear on this: if results point to your site, you're in the index.
Step 2: Check you're not hiding the site by accident
This one catches a lot of new sites. Designers often switch on a "hide from search engines" setting while they build, and sometimes it never gets switched off. Look for:
- A noindex setting. In WordPress, it's the "Discourage search engines from indexing this site" box under Settings, Reading. Other builders have a similar SEO or visibility switch. On a custom site, ask your developer whether the pages carry a
noindextag. - A robots.txt block. Open
yourbusiness.com/robots.txt. A line that readsDisallow: /underUser-agent: *blocks the whole site from being crawled. - A password or "coming soon" page. Google can only show pages an anonymous visitor can open.
If any of these are on, fix them first. Nothing else matters until they're off.
Where the switch lives on common builders
Most "my site isn't on Google" cases on a website builder come down to one setting left the wrong way. Where to look:
| Builder | What to check |
|---|---|
| WordPress | Settings, Reading: make sure "Discourage search engines from indexing this site" is unticked. If you use an SEO plugin, check that individual pages aren't set to noindex. |
| Wix | In SEO Settings, the "Let search engines index your site" toggle must be on. Each page also has its own "Let search engines index this page" toggle in its SEO settings. |
| Shopify | If the store still has its password page on (Online Store, Preferences), Shopify hides every page from visitors and search engines. Remove the password when you launch, then ask Google to recrawl in Search Console. |
| Squarespace | Check that the site isn't set to private or password protected in its availability settings, and that important pages aren't hidden from search in their SEO settings. |
On any builder, a page that shows "Coming soon" or asks for a password is invisible to Google, however good the rest of the site is.
Step 3: Tell Google the site exists
Add your site to Google Search Console. It's free, and it's the only place Google tells you directly what it sees.
- Submit a sitemap. Most builders create one automatically, usually at
/sitemap.xml. Google says it isn't required, but it prioritises crawling the pages you list. - Use URL Inspection on your homepage. It shows whether Google can reach the page and lets you request indexing.
- Check the Page Indexing report after a week or two. It lists which pages are indexed and why others aren't.
Then wait. Google's starter guide suggests waiting a few weeks before assessing the results of changes.
Step 4: You're indexed, but nobody finds you
If site: shows your pages but you don't appear when you search for what you do, Google knows the site and simply ranks others higher. That's normal for a new site, and it's a different job:
- Search for your business name first. A new site should usually show up for its own name before anything else. If it doesn't after a few weeks, check that the name appears in your homepage title and text.
- Say what you do in words. Pages that say "Welcome" and show a slideshow give Google nothing to match. Write what you do, where, and for whom, in the words customers type.
- One page per main service. A page about "root canal treatment in Baner" can rank for that search. A homepage that lists twenty services in one line rarely ranks for any of them.
- Connect your Google Business Profile. For local searches, the map results often appear above the websites. Link your profile to your site and keep it complete. If you're not on the map either, our guide on why a business doesn't show on Google Maps walks through it.
- Get mentioned elsewhere. Links from local directories, your trade association and local news tell Google other people know you exist.
What doesn't work
Paying someone who promises "first page in a week" or submits your site to hundreds of directories. Google's guide says there are no secrets that'll automatically rank your site first. Steady, clear pages and a well-kept Google profile do.
If you'd rather hand it over
Every site we build is set up so Google can find it from day one: no hidden switches, a sitemap, your Google listing connected, and pages written in the words your customers search for. Get in touch and we'll look at why yours isn't showing.
Questions
How long does it take for a new website to show up on Google?
It varies. Google says some changes take a few hours and others several months. A new site with a sitemap submitted in Search Console often appears for its own name within days to a few weeks; ranking for competitive searches takes longer.
How do I check if Google has indexed my website?
Search site:yourdomain.com on Google. If your pages appear, you're indexed. For a page-by-page view, use the Page Indexing report in Google Search Console.
Why does my website not show up when I search my business name?
It's likely not indexed yet, or something is hiding it, such as a noindex setting left on from the build. Check with a site: search, then check your builder's search visibility setting and robots.txt.
Do I need to submit my website to Google?
It's not strictly required, since Google finds sites through links, but adding your site to Search Console and submitting a sitemap helps Google find and prioritise your pages, and shows you any problems.
Why is my Wix or Shopify website not showing on Google?
Usually one setting. On Wix, check that "Let search engines index your site" is on in SEO Settings. On Shopify, check that the store password page is off. Then submit your sitemap in Google Search Console and request indexing for your homepage.
Can I pay Google to rank my website higher?
No. You can pay for ads, which are labelled as ads, but you can't pay for a better position in the regular results.
