How long does Google take to index a new blog?
After spending hours (or more) crafting and perfecting your latest blog, and are you a little frustrated to find out that Google hasn’t found your blog after a few days or even weeks? You’re not alone.
This frustration often leads to several questions, and “How long does it take Google to find my latest blog?” is one of the most common questions.
How long does it take for Google to index a new blog?
Unfortunately, this can turn into one of those “how long is a piece of string?” style questions, as the timeline for Google to find and index a new blog can vary greatly.
Typically, it can take anywhere from a few days to six months for Google to crawl, index, and rank your new blog page.
While that’s quite a wide window, many factors influence how quickly Google finds your content, including the authority of your website, your SEO efforts, and your blog's (and entire website) structure.
For brand-new sites, the waiting period is often longer. Websites with a higher domain authority or those that regularly publish content tend to be indexed more quickly. For brand-new law blogs, it's important to be patient, but proactive steps can speed up the process.
Why does it take so long for Google to rank a blog?
If Google is taking a while to rank your blog, there could be a few factors at play here. This includes the following:
Content quality
Google prioritises content that provides value to users. Your blog should answer users’ questions, solve problems, and be engaging. Content that is poorly written, overly promotional, or not aligned with user intent is likely to rank poorly.
Domain age and authority
New websites, especially those without established domain authority, tend to take longer to get indexed. Google favours domains that have a proven track record of publishing reliable content.
Backlinks and external signals
Backlinks from authoritative websites signal to Google that your content is trustworthy and relevant. Without quality backlinks, your blog may take longer to be indexed and ranked.
Frequency of updates
Many firms abandon their blogs within six months of starting. Google tends to de-prioritise sites that appear inactive. Regularly updating your blog with fresh content signals to Google that your site is active and relevant.
Google’s algorithms and frequent updates
Google uses algorithms to deliver its search results. An algorithm is simply a computer-based set of rules and calculations to form a result.
However, Google’s search algorithms are constantly evolving. It’s estimated that Google makes between 500 and 600 updates to its algorithms each year, with some being minor tweaks and others involving major overhauls that can drastically impact search rankings.
For instance, Google’s Helpful Content Update in 2022 placed greater emphasis on content written for users, not search engines. In 2024, Google continues to reward sites that prioritise user experience and penalise those relying on outdated (and black hat) SEO tactics like keyword stuffing.
Maintaining awareness around Google’s algorithmic changes can assist you in ensuring the content you add to your blog page is in the best possible format for Google to find it and serve it up.
How does Google find and rank a blog in 2024?
Google uses a combination of algorithms, bots, and AI to find and rank content. The most important of these is Googlebot, which crawls the web, visiting pages and collecting data.
Here’s a breakdown of how Google discovers your blog:
Crawling
Googlebot crawls your website, moving through pages via internal and external links. Ensuring that your site is easy to navigate and has a clear structure helps Googlebot crawl it more effectively.
Indexing
After crawling your site, Google will index it, essentially adding your page to its vast database. During this process, Google evaluates the content, structure, and relevance of your site. Pages that are optimised for SEO and user experience tend to get indexed faster.
Ranking
Google then uses its algorithm to rank your blog based on various factors like expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E.A.T). The key to higher rankings lies in quality content, strong SEO practices, and regular updates.
How can I improve the chances of Google finding my blog quickly?
Although Google’s indexing can take time, there are several strategies you can implement to help your content get discovered faster.
-
Optimise your website for SEO
Using effective search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques is the most reliable way to improve your blog’s visibility. SEO includes on-page practices like using the right keywords, optimising meta descriptions, and improving your site’s load speed.
Don’t just focus on keywords; focus on user intent. Answer the questions your audience is asking in a detailed, valuable way.
-
Submit your blog to Google Search Console
You can directly submit your blog URL to Google through Google Search Console. This prompts Google to crawl your site sooner rather than later, speeding up the process of getting indexed.
-
Create and submit a sitemap
A sitemap is a file that lists all the important pages on your website, helping Googlebot understand your site’s structure. You can create and submit a sitemap through Google Search Console to make it easier for Google to crawl and index your blog.
-
Build quality backlinks
Backlinks from reputable sites improve your blog’s authority in Google’s eyes. Reach out to other websites in your niche, publish guest posts, and engage in partnerships to create relevant and valuable backlinks.
-
Post regularly and consistently
Google favours sites that publish fresh, consistent content. Aim to post new blog articles at least twice a month. The more frequently you update your blog, the more Google will visit to crawl your content, and the more often it will see new content.
-
Improve your site’s technical SEO
Ensure that your site is technically sound by improving page speed, mobile responsiveness, navigation and fixing any broken links.
-
Use rich media
Including images, videos, and infographics on your blog can often enhance user engagement, which is something Google measures when determining rankings. Just make sure these media files are properly optimised for speed and SEO and that they are relevant and add value.
Give your blog the best chance of success
All in all, the time it takes for Google to find and rank your blog post depends on a range of factors, including SEO practices (technical and user experience), content quality, and website authority. By following the tips above, you can speed up the process and ensure your blog gets noticed sooner rather than later. Stay consistent, keep your content relevant, and focus on building an engaging, user-friendly blog that Google can’t ignore.
Contacting Social Hive
Looking for assistance with any aspect of your digital marketing? We'd love to help.
* This blog was originally published in June 2018 and updated November 2024
Share this page...