Reading the summary
The report splits URLs into indexed and not indexed, with a list of reasons for the latter. Start with the question: are the pages I care about indexed? Ignore the raw counts at first, since your site may have many technical URLs, such as tag pages or parameter versions, that you do not want indexed.
Click a reason to see example URLs and check the pages one by one.
Common reasons and what they mean
Crawled, currently not indexed means Google visited but chose not to include the page, often because it looks thin or duplicate. Discovered, currently not indexed means Google knows the URL but has not visited it yet, which can hint at weak internal linking or a large backlog.
Excluded by noindex tag means the page tells search engines to stay away. That is right for a thank-you page, and a disaster for a service page. Page with redirect and alternate page with proper canonical tag are usually normal.
Fix the pages that matter
For a key page that is not indexed, check whether it has unique, useful content. Add internal links from relevant pages, confirm it is in your sitemap, and ensure no noindex setting is active. Then use the inspect tool and request indexing once.
Do not submit the same URL repeatedly. It does not speed anything up.
Typical causes on small sites
Common causes include a site setting that discourages search engines, left on after a redesign, a staging copy that was published with a block still in place, or a plugin that adds noindex to certain page types. A site with many near-identical location or service pages also invites the not indexed status.
Server errors, blocked resources and slow responses can also cause trouble. Your developer can review the logs and settings.
Validate fixes and wait
After correcting an issue, use the validate fix option in the report. Google then rechecks the affected pages over several days or weeks. Log the change and its date.
Patience is required. A new site can take weeks to be fully indexed, and Google does not index everything it sees.
If the excluded pages are ones you do not want in search, such as internal search results or cart pages, no action is needed. Concentrate on pages that bring in customers, and keep a list of them to check after every site update.
A short troubleshooting routine
First, list the ten pages that matter most. Second, inspect each URL in Search Console and note whether it is indexed and which version Google chose as canonical. Third, for any gap, load the page in a private window, view the source for a noindex tag, and check the sitemap. Fourth, add links from related pages and improve the content if it is thin.
Fifth, request indexing once and wait two weeks. If nothing changes, ask your developer to check server responses and redirects. Keep a log of results so patterns emerge over time, such as a plugin that keeps adding a block to new pages.
Common questions
Why is a good page not indexed?
Google may judge it thin, duplicate or hard to reach. Improve its content and links and request indexing once.
Can I force Google to index a page?
You can request it, but Google decides. Quality and links are the lasting solution.
This guide is general information. Search engines change how they work and their guidelines; check Google's current documentation for your situation. Nobody can guarantee a ranking.