Noindex / SEO

Noindex is a directive used in search engine optimisation (SEO) to prevent specific pages on a website from being indexed by search engines like Google or Bing. When applied, it tells search engine crawlers not to include that page in their search results. This is done using a meta tag or an HTTP header and is useful when you want to keep certain content visible to users but hidden from search engines.

The most common way to implement noindex is by adding a meta tag to the HTML head of a page:

Alternatively, you can apply it through your server using an HTTP header, or within your content management system or SEO plugin. Noindex is often used for pages such as thank-you pages, admin dashboards, duplicate content, search result pages, or gated content that does not offer standalone SEO value. It can also help prevent thin or low-quality pages from diluting your site’s overall authority.

Using noindex strategically supports a healthier SEO profile by ensuring that search engines focus on your most valuable and relevant content. For B2B and SaaS companies, it helps guide bots away from utility pages or dynamic URLs. For nonprofits, it can keep internal landing pages, form confirmation pages or A/B test variants from being indexed. However, be cautious not to accidentally apply noindex to important pages, as this can remove them from search results entirely.