The URL Inspection tool helps you understand what Google knows about one page. Start here when a new WordPress post is missing from Search, an updated page still looks outdated, or Google appears to prefer a different URL.
Back to the Google Search Console guide
Check the indexed version first
- Select the Search Console property that contains the page.
- Paste the full page URL into the inspection bar, including HTTPS and its exact path.
- Read the indexing result, then expand the page indexing details.
- Check the last crawl, whether crawling and indexing were allowed, and any reported canonical information.
The initial result describes Google’s stored information. It is not a fresh check of everything currently on your website. If you fixed the page this morning but Google last crawled it before that, an old error can still be present here.
Use the live test after a change
Select Test live URL to check the current page. When available, view the tested page and rendered output. Confirm that Google can see the important content, rather than a login screen, empty layout or error message.
A successful live test is useful evidence that Google can access and process the page. It is not proof that the URL is already indexed, and it does not test every possible reason for exclusion.
A WordPress example
Imagine you publish a new service page and it does not appear in Search. Inspection shows that indexing was blocked when Google last visited. Open the page in WordPress and check its robots settings in the SEO plugin. Also review Settings → Reading for a sitewide search-engine visibility setting accidentally carried over from staging.
Only remove a restriction if this is the public production page you actually want indexed. A staging site, client portal or private document should keep its appropriate protection. Clear relevant caches, check the public page again, then run the live test.
If the restriction is an HTTP response header, changing a meta setting may not remove it. Use the dedicated X-Robots-Tag noindex troubleshooting guide to investigate the source.
How to interpret a different canonical URL
A canonical identifies the preferred version of similar content. If Google’s selected version differs from the one you intended, compare the pages before changing anything.
- Do both URLs show substantially the same content?
- Do navigation and contextual links point to the preferred version?
- Does the sitemap list that same version?
- Do redirects and the page’s canonical tag agree?
For example, an old service URL and a new replacement may both remain accessible after a redesign. Fixing only the sitemap leaves conflicting signals elsewhere. Choose the intended destination, then make the site’s links and URL handling consistent.
When to request indexing
After fixing the page and checking it, use Request indexing if available. Requests have limits and do not guarantee inclusion. Repeatedly submitting the same unchanged URL is not a substitute for addressing its problem. For a collection of new URLs, use the sitemap workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the tool say the page is indexed but I cannot find it?
Indexing means eligibility, not a guaranteed ranking for your preferred search. Review relevant queries in the Performance report instead of repeatedly requesting indexing.
Should I inspect every page every week?
No. Focus on new pages, important updates and URLs tied to a specific issue. Use the Page indexing report to spot wider patterns.
Sources: Google’s URL Inspection documentation and single-page troubleshooting guide.
