SEJ
Jan 17, 2026•Roger Montti
High Importance
Google On Phantom Noindex Errors In Search Console via @sejournal, @martinibuster
AI Analysis
- ●John Mueller confirmed that 'phantom noindex' errors may indicate an actual noindex directive present only to Google, not visible in the HTML code.
- ●Troubleshooting these errors involves checking HTTP headers, as caching issues or CDN responses like Cloudflare's 520 error could lead to miscommunication with Googlebot.
- ●Using tools like Google's Rich Results Test can help verify what Google sees, revealing hidden directives affecting indexing.
Why it matters: The article addresses a common technical issue with significant implications for website indexing and visibility, making it important for SEO professionals to remain informed.
Google Search Consolenoindex errorsJohn MuellerSEO troubleshootingwebsite indexing
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