Deindexing vs. Penalty: How to Know What Happened to Your PageOctober 03 ,2025
If you notice a sudden drop in traffic or find that your website is no longer showing up in Google search results, it can be stressful. Two common reasons behind this are deindexing and penalties. While both affect your website’s visibility, they are not the same. Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can understand what might have happened to your page.
What is Deindexing?
Deindexing means that your web page has been removed from Google’s index. In simple words, Google no longer shows your page in search results.
Why does deindexing happen?
-
The page was blocked using robots.txt or a “noindex” tag.
-
Google found duplicate, thin, or low-quality content.
-
The page was deleted or redirected.
-
Temporary technical errors.
???? To check if your page is deindexed, type site:yourdomain.com/page-url in Google. If nothing shows up, your page might be deindexed.
What is a Penalty?
A penalty is when Google takes manual or algorithmic action against your site for breaking its guidelines. Unlike deindexing (which can sometimes be accidental), penalties are more serious and usually happen because of spammy or manipulative practices.
Why does a penalty happen?
-
Buying or exchanging spammy backlinks.
-
Keyword stuffing or hidden text.
-
Duplicate or plagiarized content.
-
Using black-hat SEO tricks.
???? To check if your website has a penalty, log into Google Search Console. If there’s a manual action, you’ll see a notification there.
How to Identify the Difference
-
Deindexing:
-
Page disappears from Google.
-
Usually caused by technical issues or low-quality content.
-
Can often be fixed quickly by correcting errors and re-submitting the page.
-
-
Penalty:
-
Traffic drops significantly.
-
Manual action notice in Google Search Console.
-
Requires fixing violations and submitting a reconsideration request.
-
How to Recover
-
For Deindexing:
-
Remove “noindex” tags.
-
Fix duplicate or thin content.
-
Ensure your sitemap is updated.
-
Request indexing through Google Search Console.
-
-
For Penalties:
-
Identify the violation (check Search Console).
-
Remove spammy backlinks or disallowed practices.
-
Improve content quality.
-
Submit a reconsideration request to Google.
-
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between deindexing and penalties is crucial for solving visibility issues. Deindexing is often a technical problem, while penalties are more about violating Google’s rules. By identifying the cause, you can take the right steps to recover your rankings and keep your site healthy.
If you want a website that’s not only well-designed but also search-friendly from the start, it’s best to work with experts. For professional, SEO-friendly web solutions, choose the best web designing company in Kochi to build and maintain your online presence.
_(1)1.jpg)