SEO check website inclusion methods and misunderstandings

Methods for Querying the Number of Pages Indexed by Google

1. Using the site: Operator

The site: operator is a quick and straightforward way to estimate the number of pages indexed by Google for a specific domain. Here’s how it works:

• Enter site:yourwebsite.com (replace yourwebsite.com with your domain) in the Google search bar.
• If the website is indexed, Google will display results from that domain. Previously, the number of results was shown directly on the search results page. Now, you may need to click on [Tools] (or [Tool] in the English interface) to view the approximate number of indexed pages 1 2.
• This method can also be used to check competitors’ websites.

Limitations:

• The site: operator provides an approximate count and may include duplicate URLs, cached pages, or pages that are not officially indexed.
• It can display up to approximately 1,000 results due to pagination limitations.

2. Using Google Search Console (GSC)

Google Search Console offers a more accurate and detailed way to check the indexing status of your website:

• Log in to GSC and navigate to the Coverage report.
• This report shows the exact number of indexed pages, along with details about excluded pages and any technical issues 3.
• GSC also highlights pages blocked by robots.txt, marked as noindex, or affected by JavaScript rendering issues.

Limitations:

• GSC can only be used for websites you own or have access to (ownership verification is required).
• It does not provide data for competitors’ websites.

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Key Differences Between the Two Methods

Aspect	site: Operator	Google Search Console (GSC)
Purpose	Quick estimation of indexed pages for any domain	Detailed analysis of your own website’s indexing status
Returned URLs	May include duplicate URLs, cached pages, or non-indexed pages	Only includes officially indexed pages (canonical URLs)
Result Sorting	Results are sorted by Google’s relevance algorithm	Provides a structured report with technical insights
Usage Scenarios	Suitable for checking competitors’ websites or quick checks	Best for in-depth analysis of your own website
Limitations	Limited to ~1,000 results; affected by caching and personalization	Requires ownership verification; cannot analyze competitors

Reasons for Inconsistencies Between GSC and the site: Operator

1. Data Sources and Update Frequencies:
   • GSC data is based on Google’s index database and may have a 1-3 day delay.
   • The site: operator shows real-time results but is influenced by caching, personalization, and algorithmic filtering.
2. Index Status and Exclusion Mechanisms:
   • GSC includes only valuable, officially indexed pages and excludes problematic ones.
   • The site: operator may display non-indexed or hidden pages.
3. Pagination and Result Truncation:
   • The site: operator is limited to ~1,000 results, while GSC provides the exact count.
4. URL Normalization and Duplicate Content:
   • GSC counts only canonical URLs, while the site: operator may show duplicates.
5. Technical Limitations:
   • GSC flags pages blocked by robots.txt or marked as noindex, while the site: operator may show cached versions of such pages.
6. Scope of Property Verification:
   • GSC requires ownership verification and provides data only for verified properties.
   • The site: operator may mix results from different subdomains or protocol versions (e.g., HTTP vs. HTTPS).