How to Determine Your Website's Size Using Google Search Console

Understanding the size of your website is crucial for SEO, content strategy, and technical audits. Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool that provides insights into how Google views your site, including the number of pages indexed. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding your website's size with GSC.

What Does "Website Size" Mean?

Website size typically refers to the number of pages indexed by search engines like Google. This metric helps you: - Track content growth over time. - Identify indexing issues (e.g., pages not being crawled). - Compare your site’s footprint to competitors’.

Step 1: Access Google Search Console

1. Go to Google Search Console.
2. Select your website property (domain or URL-prefix).
3. Ensure your site is verified. If not, follow Google’s verification steps.

Step 2: Use the Pages Report

The Pages report in GSC shows all URLs Google has discovered on your site.

1. Navigate to the Pages Report:

2. In the left sidebar, click “Indexing” > “Pages”.

3. Review the Data:

4. Total indexed pages: The primary metric for your website’s size.
5. Why pages aren’t indexed: Check for issues like Crawled - not indexed or Excluded by robots.txt.

Step 3: Analyze the Indexing Coverage Report

For deeper insights, use the Coverage Report: 1. Go to “Indexing” > “Coverage”. 2. Filter by “Valid” pages to see successfully indexed URLs. 3. Look for trends over time (e.g., spikes or drops in indexed pages).

Alternative Methods to Estimate Website Size

1. Sitemaps Report

• Navigate to “Sitemaps” under the “Indexing” section.
• Check the number of URLs submitted via your sitemap vs. those indexed by Google.

2. URL Inspection Tool

• Use the URL Inspection tool to check individual pages:
• Enter a URL to see its indexing status.
• Click “Test Live URL” to request crawling.

Advanced Tips

• Compare Date Ranges: Use the date filter to track growth or declines in indexed pages.
• Filter by Page Type: Exclude non-essential pages (e.g., tags, admin pages) using regex filters.
• Export Data: Export the list of indexed pages for further analysis (e.g., in Excel or SEO tools).

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

• Discrepancy Between Sitemap and Indexed Pages:
• Ensure your sitemap is updated and submitted.
• Fix crawl errors (e.g., 404s, server issues).
• Sudden Drop in Indexed Pages:
• Check for accidental noindex tags or robots.txt blocks.
• Monitor for penalties or manual actions in GSC.

Conclusion

Google Search Console simplifies measuring your website’s size by providing real-time data on indexed pages. Regularly monitoring these metrics helps you maintain a healthy, visible site in search results. Combine GSC insights with tools like Google Analytics or third-party SEO platforms for a holistic view of your website’s performance.

Pro Tip: Bookmark your GSC Pages and Coverage reports to track changes weekly or monthly!