SEO Technical: IndexNow
Guides IndexNow protocol integration for faster search engine indexing (primarily Bing).
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Scope (Technical SEO)
- IndexNow: Submit URLs to Bing/Yandex for faster indexing
- URL notification: Notify search engines of new or updated URLs
Initial Assessment
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Identify:
- Site URL: Base domain
- URL source: Config file, sitemap, CMS, etc.
- Deployment: CI/CD, manual, or both
Overview
IndexNow notifies search engines (mainly Bing) of new or updated URLs to speed up indexing.
Implementation Steps
1. API Key and Verification
- Generate API key (e.g., UUID)
- Create verification file:
https://example.com/{key}.txt - File content: the API key string
- Configure key and URL in your IndexNow client
2. Submission Methods
3. Best Practices
4. CI/CD Integration
5. Single Source of Truth (URL List)
- Use same config as sitemap: Import URL list from central config (e.g.,
site-pages-config.ts) or sitemap generation logic. - Avoid: Separate hardcoded URL lists for IndexNow—leads to inconsistency and missed URLs.
- Feed: If you have RSS/feed, it can also consume from the same config to stay in sync.
Supported Search Engines
- Bing: Primary support
- Yandex: Supports IndexNow
- Google: Does not use IndexNow; use Sitemap + Search Console
Verification
- Check Bing Webmaster Tools for indexing status
- Monitor submission logs for errors
Common Issues
Output Format
- Setup steps: Key generation, verification file
- Submission flow: Single vs. batch
- Integration: CI/CD or manual script
- References: IndexNow docs
Related Skills
- xml-sitemap: Share same URL list from central config
- indexing: Broader indexing strategy