Google Search Console indexing issue

Technical Q&A
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Topic summary

A Shopify store owner is experiencing indexing problems in Google Search Console after changing their domain. Most links from the old domain are not being indexed by Google.

Recommended Solutions:

  • Set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one in Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains
  • Use Google Search Console’s Change of Address tool (Settings) to notify Google of the domain migration
  • Verify the new domain in Google Search Console using DNS or HTML file verification
  • Submit the updated sitemap (yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml) and remove old sitemaps
  • Use URL Inspection tool to manually request reindexing for key pages (homepage, collections, products)
  • Check the Coverage report for errors like 404s, noindex tags, or robots.txt blocks
  • Update internal links and external backlinks where possible

Current Status: The issue remains unresolved. The store owner has requested direct assistance and offered to grant access to both Shopify and Google Search Console. Indexing typically takes several days to weeks after implementing these fixes.

Summarized with AI on October 30. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

The Shopify store domain has been changed once, and now most of the links in the Google search console are not indexed.

Need to investigate and seek assistance!

2

Hi @zparts888 ,

Make sure to do this first:

  1. Set up 301 redirects from the old domain to the new one for a smooth transition.
  2. In Google Search Console, go to Settings > Change of Address to notify Google of the domain change.

If that doesn’t work, try resubmitting your sitemap to speed up reindexing. Hope this helps!

3

hey @zparts888 follow these step

Step 1: Verify the New Domain in Google Search Console1. Go to Google Search Console

  1. Add your new domain as a property.

  2. Verify it using DNS verification (recommended) or HTML file upload.

Step 2: Submit Your Updated Sitemap1. Go to Shopify and find your sitemap:

https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml

  1. In Google Search Console, go to Sitemaps.

  2. Remove any old sitemaps.

  3. Submit the new sitemap and wait for Google to crawl it.

Step 3: Set Up 301 Redirects (If Needed)- If your old domain was active, ensure 301 redirects are set up in Shopify Admin → Settings → Domains.

  • If the domain was managed outside Shopify, set up redirects in your domain provider’s dashboard.

Step 4: Request Reindexing for Key Pages1. Go to Google Search Console → URL Inspection.

  1. Enter your homepage URL.

  2. Click “Request Indexing”.

  3. Repeat this for key pages (e.g., collections, products).

Step 5: Check for Coverage Errors- Go to Google Search Console → Coverage.

  • Look for errors such as:

    • 404 Not Found → Fix any broken links.

    • Crawled - Currently Not Indexed → Wait and re-submit.

    • Blocked by robots.txt → Ensure no important pages are blocked.

    • Noindex Detected → Remove noindex tags if needed.

Step 6: Improve Internal & External Links- Update internal links inside your Shopify store.

  • Update backlinks (if possible) from blogs, partners, or social media.

Step 7: Be Patient & Monitor- Google may take a few days to weeks to re-index.

  • Keep checking the Search Console Reports.

  • If nothing improves in 2-3 weeks, use the Google Search Console “Report an Issue” tool.

1 Like
4

Hi Dear

Thank you very much for your guidance.

If you could help me improve these issues, that will be thankful! I will grant you access through Shopify and Google Search Console.

looking forward to your help!