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How to Request Indexing in Google Search Console

Step by step Request indexing in Search Console, the daily quota, when to use a sitemap instead, and why a request may not work.

TL;DR: To request indexing in Google, open Google Search Console, paste the full URL into the URL Inspection bar at the top, wait for the result, and click "Request indexing". You must be an owner or full user of the property, there is a daily quota per property, and a request only queues a crawl: it does not guarantee the page will be indexed. For many URLs, submit a sitemap instead.

Google request indexing is the "Request indexing" button in Search Console's URL Inspection tool, which asks Google to crawl one specific URL on a site you manage. Google's ask Google to recrawl documentation lists exactly two methods: the URL Inspection tool for "just a few URLs" and a sitemap for "many URLs at once". It also sets expectations plainly: "Crawling can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks" and "requesting a crawl does not guarantee that inclusion in search results will happen instantly or even at all."

How do you request indexing in Google Search Console?

Requesting indexing takes five steps:

  1. Sign in to Google Search Console and select the property that contains the URL. You must be a verified owner or a full user; restricted users cannot request indexing.
  2. Paste the complete URL, including https://, into the "Inspect any URL" bar at the top of the page and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the URL Inspection tool to fetch Google's indexed data. It shows "URL is on Google" or "URL is not on Google" with a reason.
  4. Optional but worth it: click "Test live URL" to check the current version returns HTTP 200, is not blocked by robots.txt, and has no noindex.
  5. Click "Request indexing". Search Console runs a quick live check and then confirms "URL was added to a priority crawl queue."

If the live check finds a blocking problem, such as a noindex tag or a 404, the request fails and Search Console tells you why. Fix that first; our free noindex checker and URL health checker catch the common blockers without logging in.

What is the Request indexing quota?

Google documents that there is "a daily limit to how many index requests you can submit" per property, and a separate per-property daily limit for live tests. Google does not publish the exact number in the help center, and it can change. When you hit it, Search Console shows "Quota exceeded" and you try again the next day.

Two related limits are documented precisely:

Because the quota is small, spend it on pages where speed matters: a new homepage, a launch page, a corrected price, a page you just fixed after an indexing error.

Does requesting indexing again make it faster?

No. Google states that "requesting a recrawl multiple times for the same URL won't get it crawled any faster." One request puts the URL in the priority queue; further requests for the same URL only spend quota. Wait, then inspect the URL again to check the "Last crawl" date.

When should you submit a sitemap instead?

Use a sitemap when you have more URLs than you can sensibly submit by hand: a new site, a site migration, a batch of new products, or a programmatic section. In Search Console go to Indexing > Sitemaps, enter the sitemap URL, and click Submit. You can also reference it in robots.txt with a Sitemap: line.

Rules from Google's sitemap documentation:

Hosted platforms often handle this for you. Google notes that platforms such as Blogger, WordPress, Wix and Squarespace usually submit new content to search engines automatically. Check yours with our sitemap validator.

Why did Request indexing not work?

If a URL is still not indexed days or weeks after a request, the inspection result usually says why:

Also remember that "URL is on Google" does not guarantee the page ranks for anything. Google's URL Inspection documentation says to search for the exact URL to confirm it appears.

How do you get other search engines to crawl the page?

Request indexing only reaches Google. Bing, which ChatGPT search relies on, and Yandex, Naver, Seznam and Yep accept IndexNow pings of up to 10,000 URLs per request with no daily button quota. Bing Webmaster Tools also has its own URL submission tool. Our article on what IndexNow can and cannot do covers the limits.

IndexLinks automates this for sites you own: each new or updated page goes to IndexNow engines, your Search Console, Baidu and the AI crawlers, and you get a receipt for every verified crawl within 24 hours. It guarantees a crawl, not indexing. Start with the free site check on the IndexLinks homepage.

FAQ

How long after Request indexing does Google crawl the page? Often within a day or two, but Google only commits to "a few days to a few weeks". Check the "Last crawl" date in URL Inspection.

Can I request indexing for a page I do not own? No. Google says you "can't request indexing for URLs that you don't manage". You need owner or full user access to the property.

Is there a bulk Request indexing option? Not in Search Console. For bulk, submit or resubmit a sitemap. The Indexing API is limited to job posting and livestream pages.

Should I request indexing for every new blog post? Not if your sitemap updates automatically and the post is linked from your blog index. Save the quota for urgent or important pages.

Use this information as a starting point, then verify the page-level evidence available to you.