IndexNow · URL notification protocol
IndexNow is a protocol that lets a site notify participating engines as soon as a URL is added, updated or deleted, instead of waiting for their next visit. Engines that adopt it share submissions with each other. The protocol’s documentation does not list Google among the participants.
Standalone definition · 47 words
How do you submit a URL?
You host at the site root a text file containing a key of 8 to 128 characters to prove ownership, then send a GET request for one URL or a JSON POST for a batch, up to 10,000 URLs per submission. A 200 code only indicates that the engine received the URL.
What does it guarantee, and not guarantee?
It speeds up discovery, but promises neither indexing nor ranking: the documentation states that the 200 confirms receipt. Codes 403 (invalid key), 422 (URL outside the host) and 429 (too many requests) signal a submission problem.
How do you use it on WordPress?
The IndexNow plugin sends URLs automatically on publish and update, and its screen shows the submission log and failures. Watch this log after a redesign or a bulk publication, and use the sitemap and Search Console for Google.
Frequently asked questions
Does IndexNow replace the XML sitemap?
No. The sitemap remains the overall declaration of URLs, IndexNow signals changes as they happen.
Should you submit every change?
The documentation recommends automating submission on each addition, update or deletion, within reasonable limits to avoid spam.
Related terms
Further reading
- Google Search Console generative AI report: how to analyze it
- ← Back to the GEO glossary (114 terms)