Configuring a webpage to "index, follow" is a fundamental aspect of SEO, ensuring search engines can crawl and index valuable content. This guide explains how to set up a page to index, and follow, including robot meta tags, step-by-step instructions, and best practices for implementing this directive.

Understanding Robots Meta Tags and Directives

Robots meta tags and directives are critical in guiding search engines on how to crawl and index webpages. These snippets of HTML, placed within the <head> section, inform search engines whether to include a page in their searchable index and whether to follow the links on that page.

Index vs. Noindex: The "index" directive signals that a page should be added to a search engine's index, making it searchable by users. Conversely, "noindex" prevents a page from being indexed.
Follow vs. Nofollow: The "follow" directive encourages crawlers to follow links on a page, while "nofollow" restricts them from doing so.

Mastering how to set up a page to index and follow helps optimize a site’s visibility and ensures search engines prioritize valuable content.

How to Set up a Page to Index, Follow: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand "Index, Follow"

The "index" directive ensures a page is added to the search engine’s index, making it appear in search results. The "follow" directive signals crawlers to follow links on the page, helping discover new pages and distribute link equity.

Step 2: Access the Page’s HTML

To set up a page to index, follow, and access the page’s HTML through the website’s content management system (CMS) or by directly editing the HTML file.

Step 3: Insert the Meta Tag

Add the following meta tag within the <head> section of the HTML:

If the page already includes a meta robots tag, ensure it specifies "index, follow."

Step 4: Save and Publish Changes

Save the changes and publish the updated page. For static websites, upload the revised file to the server.

Step 5: Verify the Changes

Verify that the meta tag is correctly implemented by viewing the source code of the page in a browser. Ensure the meta tag appears within the <head> section as intended.

Step 6: Use Tools for Additional Verification

Tools like Google Search Console can confirm that the page is recognized as "index, follow." These tools also help identify issues with crawling and indexing.

Best Practices for "Index, Follow"

When setting up a page to index, follow, and prioritize high-quality, valuable content. For example:

Apply "index, follow" to important content like blog posts, product pages, and resources.
Use "noindex" for pages with private, duplicate, or thin content to conserve the crawl budget and improve overall site quality.

For additional verification and insights, Google Search Console is an invaluable resource for monitoring how pages are indexed and crawled.