Google Search Console helps to discover, debug, and address any difficulties that Google may face when crawling and indexing your website in search results. It may also show you which web pages have been ranked high and which Google has opted to ignore, often due to Google Search Console Errors that hinder proper indexing or visibility.
Marketing Insight:
A study by Ahrefs showed that 91% of content gets zero traffic from Google due to indexing and technical issues.
The comprehensive Google Search Console information provides insights into your website’s organic performance. As stated by Google, this is valuable data since it helps you evaluate your SEO strategies. That’s why this article provides an in-depth guide on identifying and fixing Google Search Console coverage issues. Continue reading to understand how to fix Google Search Console errors and use the index coverage report to troubleshoot issues and enhance your overall SEO strategy.
Understand Google’s Indexing Method
Your website needs to go through the following steps to appear on SERPs:
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| Discovering | Google finds your site using XML sitemaps, internal/external links. |
| Crawling | Googlebot collects metadata, tags, and content. |
| Indexing | Google decides whether your content is relevant to search queries. |
Google Search Console Errors
If Google’s crawler, Googlebot, comes across a search console crawl error and fails to recognize the content on the website, it will ultimately give up and proceed. This implies that your page will not be indexed, and searchers will not see your page, thereby impacting your search results. To prevent such issues, it’s essential to implement strong technical SEO practices that proactively address crawlability and indexing errors.
SEO Stat: Googlebot may skip a site if it encounters frequent 5xx or redirect errors. Pages not indexed = Pages not ranking.
Errors on the Server (5xx)
There are several server problems; the most typical is that your server takes too long to react. When a Googlebot crawls a page, it waits for the server to load for a specific time. If the process gets lengthy, Googlebot will leave it, and the request will run out.
Because the bot cannot crawl the site, it will not be indexed.
Fixing A Server Error (5xx)
- ✅ Open your web browser and test the URL
- ✅ Contact your hosting provider to check if the server was down
- ✅ Review server logs or use tools like Pingdom and GTmetrix
FOMO Insight: Businesses that fix server errors improve crawlability by 35%, gaining faster indexation and visibility.
Redirect Error
Google occasionally encounters redirect issues with URLs. This error might occur if you’ve redirected your URL several times. You may have accidentally formed a redirect loop if you’ve used redirects for a while. Redirects lead to more redirects and never go to a live URL.
If the redirects do not loop, the Googlebot may encounter excessive redirects in a row and quit.
How to fix Google Search Console errors due to redirects
- ✅ Identify initial and final URLs
- ✅ Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit
- ✅ Remove unnecessary redirect chains
- ✅ Use Chrome Extensions like Redirect Path
Labelled ‘Noindex’
This is a common issue, but also a straightforward one to resolve. You request Google to crawl a page but must realize or recall that the page includes a noindex tag.
How to fix Google search console errors due to noindex
- ✅ Remove the noindex tag from <meta> or HTTP headers
- ✅ Check robots.txt
- ✅ Re-submit URL in GSC’s URL Inspection Tool
404 Page Not Found Error
When Google tries to access a web page on an unavailable website, you will encounter a 404 Not Found message.
How to fix Google Search Console errors due to a 404 page not found
| Option | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Leave as 404 | Page is outdated or irrelevant |
| Use 301 Redirect | Page has been moved or has a newer version |
| Publish Page | If it’s mistakenly deleted or in draft state |
False Mobile Usability Ratings
This issue indicates that certain pages of your site aren’t working correctly with mobile devices.
Stat Alert:
63% of Google’s organic traffic comes from mobile devices. Fixing mobile usability can increase rankings in mobile SERPs significantly.
- ✅ Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- ✅ Ensure responsive design
- ✅ Compress images and use AMP if needed
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether to choose responsive design or a separate mobile website, this guide on mobile optimization breaks down the pros and cons of each approach.
Real-World Case Study
B2B Tech Startup
Issue: Dozens of 5xx errors & over 200 redirect loops
Fix
Server upgrade + redirect simplification
Result
- 38% increase in indexed pages in 2 weeks
- 50% more impressions in GSC within 30 days
- 22% jump in organic traffic
Common Questions About Google Search Console Errors
How often should I check Google Search Console?
Weekly monitoring is recommended, especially after major content or technical updates.
Should I be worried about soft 404 errors?
Yes, especially if they affect important pages. Soft 404s mislead Google and waste crawl budget.
Can structured data errors be fixed via GSC?
Yes. GSC reports schema markup issues, and you can fix them in HTML or through CMS plugins.
What if I accidentally de-indexed important pages?
Remove the noindex tag, then use URL Inspection Tool to request reindexing ASAP.
Don’t Fall Behind – Take Action Today!
To maintain strong search rankings and deliver an excellent user experience, regularly monitoring and fixing Google Search Console errors is essential. Ignoring these issues can lead to lost traffic, reduced authority, and missed opportunities to connect with your audience. The good news? Many errors are straightforward to identify and resolve, making it easier than ever to keep your website healthy and optimized for search.
FOMO Alert:
Websites with regular GSC audits perform 70% better in search visibility compared to those that don’t. Don’t lose rankings because of avoidable technical issues!
Whether it’s fixing crawl errors or making your website mobile-ready, we’ve got your back.
Ready to fix your GSC errors and grow your SEO? Contact Our Experts Now