NoIndex Follow

NoIndex Follow is a directive that can be used in a webpages HTML or served via the HTTP header to instruct search engines on how to crawl and index the content of the page.

The “NoIndex” part of the directive tells search engines not to include the page in their index, which means that it won’t appear in search results. The “Follow” part, however, instructs search engine crawlers to follow the links on the page and potentially index those linked pages.

The “NoIndex” component of the directive serves as a gatekeeper, signaling to search engines not to include the designated page in their index, effectively keeping it out of search results. Conversely, the “Follow” aspect of NoIndex Follow ensures that search engine bots continue to follow the links present on the non-indexed page, potentially leading to the indexing of those linked pages.

In practical terms, the application of NoIndex Follow proves valuable in scenarios where certain pages need to be shielded from search results due to reasons such as duplicate content, temporary information, or content not deemed pertinent for search engine users. Despite the directive’s utility, it’s imperative to recognize that NoIndex Follow functions as a guideline rather than a strict rule. Search engines retain the discretion to bypass the directive under specific circumstances.

Application:

This directive is particularly useful in situations where a website owner wants to prevent certain pages from appearing in search results, perhaps because they are duplicate content, temporary content, or not valuable for search engine users, but still wants search engines to crawl through to other pages via the links on the non-indexed page.

Considerations:

Using NoIndex Follow is just a directive and not an enforcement; search engines can choose to ignore the directive under certain circumstances.

Its crucial to regularly monitor and audit the usage of NoIndex Follow to ensure it’s being used appropriately on your website and to check if changes in search engine behavior might require an adjustment to your use of this directive.