noindex
noindex instructs supporting search engines not to include a page in their index once they read the directive. It can be supplied in HTML or an HTTP header.
The HTTP version is X-Robots-Tag. Check both it and the HTML meta tag: a noindex directive in either location matters, and robots.txt must allow the crawler to read it.
Check the template first when one page type loses traffic overnight. An accidental noindex often causes that pattern.
A practical example
A thank-you page uses noindex while public service pages remain eligible for indexing.
A common mistake
Using noindex as access protection or blocking crawling so the directive cannot be read.
How to check it
Inspect both response headers and HTML. Confirm that an intended crawler can reach the directive.
Related terms
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