Why Isn't My Website Showing on Google?

Short answer

Usually, one of four things is happening:

1. Google hasn't discovered or indexed the page yet.
2. Something is preventing Google from indexing it.
3. The page is indexed but ranks too low for the search you're trying.
4. You're looking for local/map visibility, where Google Business Profile and local search signals also matter.

Work through the checks in order.

First, check whether Google actually has the site

Start by searching Google for your exact homepage URL without the https:// part.

For example:

www.example.com.au

For a quick additional check you can also try:

site:example.com.au

A site: search can give you an indication of pages Google knows about, but don't treat it as a complete or definitive index report.

For an individual page, Google Search Console's URL Inspection tool gives a much better answer.

Google guidance:

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7474347

If Search Console says the page is indexed, but you can't find it for your target search, your problem is probably ranking rather than indexing.

The checklist

1. Is the page indexed?

A page has to be discovered, crawled and indexed before it can appear in normal search results.

For new or recently changed pages, this isn't instant.

Google's current guidance says crawling and indexing can take several days and sometimes a few weeks.

If you've only just published or requested indexing, give Google some time before treating the delay as a fault.

Use URL Inspection to check the exact URL.

If Google doesn't know the page:

• make sure another indexed page links to it
• make sure it appears in the sitemap where appropriate
• check it returns normally without login/password protection
• request indexing after verifying the page

Requesting indexing helps Google discover the page, but it doesn't guarantee inclusion or ranking.

2. Is something blocking indexing?

Common causes include:

A noindex directive

This explicitly tells search engines not to index the page.

It is often used correctly on staging environments or private pages, but it can cause major problems if it remains on production pages after launch.

Google guidance:

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/block-indexing

robots.txt

A robots rule can stop crawlers accessing part of a site.

Be careful: robots.txt and noindex solve different problems.

Password or coming-soon mode

If Google can't access the content, it can't index it normally.

Platform or SEO settings

Many website platforms contain a setting that discourages search-engine indexing.

Check that development settings haven't accidentally carried over to the live site.

3. Can Google find the page?

Google needs a route to discover a page.

Important pages should generally be reachable through normal crawlable links from other parts of the website.

A sitemap also helps identify canonical URLs.

Search Console can show which pages have been discovered, crawled or excluded.

Google's current Search Console guidance:

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7440203

4. Was the website rebuilt or moved?

If an older website used different page addresses, old links and old Google results may still point to those URLs.

When there is a genuinely equivalent replacement, use a permanent redirect from the old address to the appropriate new one.

Don't redirect every unrelated old page to the homepage just to avoid a 404.

If an obsolete page has no relevant replacement, a genuine 404 or 410 can be the correct result.

Google's site-move guidance:

https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/site-move-with-url-changes

5. Check manual actions and security issues

These are uncommon for an ordinary small-business website, but Search Console has dedicated reports for both.

If either report contains a problem, follow Google's specific remediation instructions.

Indexed but not ranking

If URL Inspection says the page is indexed but it doesn't appear for a search like “electrician Logan”, the issue is different.

Google has the page.

It simply doesn't consider it one of the strongest results for that query.

Useful fundamentals include:

• a proper page about the specific service
• the genuine areas you serve written naturally
• a descriptive page title
• a clear H1
• useful information about the service
• internal links
• real business proof
• relevant external/local signals

Don't create dozens of near-identical pages purely to insert suburb names.

There's no single ranking switch and no guaranteed position.

If you'd like a second opinion on how the website itself is structured, see:

https://www.orbitalsolutions.com.au/websites/

Showing up in Google Maps and local results

Local/map visibility is related to your Google Business Profile and Google's local ranking systems.

Your website still matters, but a website ranking and a map result are not the same thing.

Google says local ranking is primarily based on:

• relevance
• distance
• prominence

Keep the Business Profile complete and accurate.

That includes:

• correct business details
• appropriate categories
• actual service area
• genuine photos
• genuine reviews
• a correct website link

Google's local ranking guidance:

https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091?hl=en

What to ask whoever built the site

1. Is Search Console set up under an account the business controls?
2. Is the sitemap valid and submitted?
3. Are the important pages indexable?
4. Are canonical URLs correct?
5. Was any development noindex setting removed before launch?
6. If this replaced an old site, were genuine equivalent pages redirected?
7. Do both www and non-www versions resolve consistently?
8. Does the business control the Google Business Profile?

How long does it take?

There is no guaranteed indexing or ranking timeline.

A newly published or resubmitted page may take days or a few weeks to be crawled and indexed.

Competitive ranking can take considerably longer.

Be cautious of anyone promising a guaranteed ranking or exact date.

FAQ

How long does it take for a new website to show on Google?

It can take several days or a few weeks.

If the page has only just been submitted, don't assume something is broken immediately.

Does submitting a sitemap guarantee indexing?

No.

A sitemap helps Google discover URLs. Google still decides what it crawls and indexes.

Is Search Console free?

Yes.

Why does a competitor appear above me?

There usually isn't one answer.

Their page may better match the search, have stronger authority or local signals, provide more useful content, or simply be geographically more relevant.

Can I pay Google to index or rank me higher organically?

No.

Google Ads is separate from Google's organic search results.

Do I need to pay someone monthly for basic SEO?

Not necessarily.

The technical basics in this guide can be checked without an ongoing SEO contract.

Ongoing SEO may make sense when the business needs continued content, competitive search growth, link/authority work or active optimisation.

Still not showing?

If you've worked through these checks and still can't work out what's wrong, tell us about your website.