Google’s 2025 Page Indexing Shake-Up: A Guide to Fixing ‘Crawled, Not Indexed’ Issues

Experiencing Google page indexing issues after the May 2025 update? Learn why your pages are marked “Crawled – currently not indexed” and discover a strategic guide to improve your SEO page indexing and recover organic traffic.

The SEO landscape was abruptly reshaped in late May 2025 as a significant Google page indexing change swept across the web. Thousands of website owners watched in alarm as their indexed page counts plummeted, replaced by the perplexing “Crawled – currently not indexed” status in Google Search Console. This was not a minor fluctuation; it was a systematic de-indexing event that signaled a fundamental shift in how Google evaluates and prioritizes content.

This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the May 2025 Google de-indexing event, explains what’s behind the widespread website page indexing issues, and offers an actionable strategy to adapt your SEO approach and get your valuable pages back into Google’s search results.

The May 2025 Google Page Indexing Anomaly Explained

Starting around May 26-29, 2025, a consistent pattern emerged. Pages that were once stable and indexed vanished from the search results. This wasn’t a crawl error or a penalty; it was a deliberate re-evaluation by Google.

• The Timeline: The bulk of the de-indexing reports occurred over a tight 72-hour window, from May 27th to May 29th, suggesting a coordinated algorithm rollout rather than isolated technical glitches.
• The Scale: SEO forums and social media were flooded with reports. Adam Gent of Indexing Insight noted tracking millions of affected URLs, while individual site owners reported drops ranging from 20% to as high as 70% of their total indexed pages. The case of TaxServiceNearYou.com, highlighted by Jason Kilgore, became a prime example, with a massive portion of its legitimate, active pages being culled from the index overnight.

Deciphering “Crawled – Currently Not Indexed” in GSC

To effectively address this SEO page indexing problem, it’s crucial to understand what Google is communicating with the “Crawled – currently not indexed” status.

Essentially, Google is stating: “We have successfully accessed and analyzed this page, but we have chosen not to include it in our search index at this time.”

This indicates the page does not meet Google’s quality or relevance thresholds for indexing. It is not a technical issue like a noindex tag or a robots.txt block. Google can see your page perfectly fine; it just doesn’t deem it worthy of being served to users.

Why Did This Google Page Indexing Change Happen?

While Google has not labeled this a core update, the evidence points to a deliberate evolution in its indexing algorithm. Several factors are likely at play:

1. Elevated Quality Thresholds: The bar for “helpful content” has been raised. Pages that previously scraped by with thin, aggregated, or unoriginal content may no longer make the cut in this more stringent evaluation.
2. Indexing Resource Management: The web is infinite, but Google’s resources are not. To maintain efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint, Google may be implementing more aggressive filtering to avoid storing and serving pages that offer little unique value.
3. Advanced AI Content Evaluation: The continued integration of sophisticated AI and machine learning systems allows Google to analyze content for quality, expertise, and user intent fulfillment at a much deeper level than before.
4. A Crackdown on Low-Value Content: This Google de-indexing wave appears to be a concerted effort to purge the index of duplicate content, auto-generated pages, and content that fails to satisfy the core principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).

How to Fix SEO Page Indexing Issues: A Proactive Strategy

Reacting with panic is counterproductive. Requesting re-indexing for a low-quality page will not solve the root problem. Instead, adopt a strategic approach focused on quality.

1. Conduct a Ruthless Content Audit

Analyze every de-indexed page with an honest, critical eye. Ask these questions:

• Does this page offer unique value that cannot be found elsewhere?
• Does it thoroughly answer a specific user query or solve a problem?
• Is the information up-to-date, accurate, and well-presented?
• Is this page a critical part of a user’s journey on my site?

2. Reinforce Your Internal Linking Architecture

Poorly linked pages are often seen by Google as unimportant.

• Strengthen internal links from your high-authority pages (like your homepage or cornerstone blog posts) to the de-indexed pages you want to save.
• Ensure the anchor text is descriptive and relevant.
• Fix orphaned pages that have few or no internal links pointing to them.

3. Double Down on E-E-A-T

Demonstrate your credibility to both users and Google.

• Ensure content is written by a demonstrable expert in the field.
• Add author bios, credentials, and links to authoritative social profiles.
• Cite sources, link to authoritative studies, and display trust signals like reviews or testimonials.

4. Enhance User Experience and Page Signals

User experience is a powerful quality signal.

• Optimize for Core Web Vitals (LCP, INP, CLS).
• Ensure your site is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.
• Improve readability with clear formatting, headings, and visuals.

The Road Ahead: The Future of Google Page Indexing

As of late June 2025, the situation remains consistent: this was not a temporary glitch. The solution to these website page indexing issues lies in elevating your content strategy, not in finding a technical loophole.

This Google algorithm update—official or not—reinforces a clear message: quality will win. Websites that focus on creating genuinely valuable, user-centric content will build a more resilient foundation for long-term organic growth.

Key Takeaways for Your SEO Strategy

• Quality Trumps Quantity: The era of indexing every single page is over. Focus your resources on creating and maintaining high-value content.
• User-First Is Non-Negotiable: If your content doesn’t serve a clear user need, Google is less likely to serve it.
• Content Audits Are Essential: Proactive and regular content reviews are now a fundamental part of a successful SEO strategy.
• Adapt or Be Left Behind: SEO is dynamic. Your strategy must evolve in lockstep with Google’s standards to improve page indexing and maintain visibility.