How to Index Blog Post – If you are struggling with blog post indexing on Google Search Console, or if none of your posts and pages are appearing in Google search results, preventing traffic to your blog, then in this guide, we will provide you with a complete step-by-step process on how to instantly index all your posts and pages on Google using API indexing. We will also explain how to do this for both Blogger and WordPress blogs. Follow all the steps to successfully index all your blog posts.
What is API Indexing?
First, let’s understand what API indexing is. API stands for Application Programming Interface.
API Instant Indexing is a technology that immediately indexes new or updated data in search engines or databases.
API is a technology through which data can be indexed. This process helps in quickly searching, accessing, and managing data. API indexing is often used in websites, databases, and other software systems to store and retrieve data efficiently.
How Does API Indexing Work?
API indexing organizes and optimizes data so it can be quickly searched and accessed. The process generally involves the following steps:
1. Data Collection
API collects data from various sources like databases, websites, or other systems.
The data can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.
2. Data Processing
Collected data is processed, which includes:
Data Cleaning: Removing unnecessary or duplicate data.
Data Transformation: Converting data into a standard format.
Tokenization: Breaking text data into smaller pieces.
Normalization: Converting data into a uniform format.
3. Index Creation
Processed data is organized into an index list.
The index is a data structure that helps in fast data retrieval.
4. Data Storage
Indexed data is stored in a storage system (like a database, cloud storage, or file system).
The storage system is optimized for fast data retrieval.
5. Data Search and Retrieval
When a user or system searches for data, the API uses the index to find it quickly.
The index allows data to be searched without scanning the entire dataset.
6. Update and Maintenance
The index is regularly updated to include new data and remove outdated data.
Maintenance ensures the index does not impact performance.
Important Information About API Indexing
Your blog or website should be hosted on Blogger.com or a custom CMS.
If your blog is on WordPress, there is a plugin available that can be easily used from the WordPress dashboard.
To use the API Instant Indexing service, all accounts (your blog, Google Drive, Google Search Console, Google Console Developer, and Google Colaboratory) should be linked to the same email ID.
If these accounts are created with different emails, you may face issues using instant indexing. Try to use the same Gmail account for all.
How to Use API Indexing on Blogger?
You cannot directly use Instant API Indexing on Blogger; it requires a plugin. However, plugins cannot be installed on Blogger in the same way as WordPress.
Don’t worry, we have a simple method to use Instant Post API Indexing on Blogger. Using this, you can easily submit all your Blogger post links for indexing via API.
Generate API Key for Blog Post Indexing
We have provided a step-by-step guide to generating an API key for instant post indexing. Note that missing any step will cause the API key not to work.
Step 1: Open the official Google Developers Console website in your browser: console.cloud.google.com
Step 2: Log in with the Gmail ID that you used to create your Google Search Console, Google Drive, and Blogger dashboard.
Step 3: Select your country, check the terms, and click on Agree and Continue.
Step 4: Click on the Select a Project option at the top, then in the popup window, click on New Project.
Step 5: Type the name of your project as desired, then click the Create button.
Step 6: After creating the project, select the newly created project.
Step 7: On the left-hand menu, click IAM & Admin, then click on Service Accounts.
Step 8: Click on Create Service Account.
Step 9: Enter a name for your service account. You can also provide a description for the service account. Then click Create and Continue.
Step 10: Click the icon next to Select a Role, choose Owner, then click Continue, and finally click Done.
Once these steps are complete, an email ID will appear. This is your service email ID. Copy it and save it in a notepad or safe place, because the API key will not work without it.
Step 11: Click the three dots next to your service email and select Manage Keys.
Step 12: Click the icon next to Add Key, then select Create New Key.
Step 13: Select the JSON option and click Create. Your API key will be successfully generated, and a JSON file will be downloaded to your computer or mobile device.
⚠️ Important: Save this file in a safe location, as it is required to use the API.
Enable the API Key
After generating the API key, you need to enable it for it to work.
Step 1: On the left-hand menu, click APIs and Services, then select Enable APIs and Services from the dropdown.
Step 2: Click on Enable APIs and Services.
Step 3: On the next page, search for Web Search Indexing API and click on its option.
Step 4: You will see a button to enable the API key. Click on it to enable your API key, and your key will be activated.
Once all these steps are completed, your work in Google Developers Console is done. Now you need to follow the next steps.
Add Admin on Google Search Console
To perform instant post indexing, we need to grant the Google Console Developer permission to control the Google Search Console. Only then can the Google Console Developer instantly index your posts.
Step 1: Open your Google Search Console dashboard.
Step 2: On the left-hand menu, click Settings, then click Users and Permissions.
Step 3: Click Add User and enter the email ID you created as the service email in Google Developers Console.
Step 4: For permissions, select Owner, then click Add.
By completing these steps, you have given full control of your Search Console dashboard to the Google Developer Admin. Now, with a single click, the developer can instantly index your posts on Google.
Upload API JSON File to Google Drive
In the previous steps, we told you to save the JSON file downloaded when generating the API key in a safe place. Now, upload that file to your Google Drive.
You can upload the JSON file using your mobile device or computer via the app or browser.
Go to drive.google.com.
Open the My Drive folder.
If you want, you can create a new folder to upload the JSON file into it.
Click New, then select File Upload, and upload your JSON file.
Set Up Google Colaboratory
The API Indexing Plugin cannot be used on Blogger.com. Therefore, we will use Google Colaboratory to instantly index Blogger posts.
Before indexing posts on Google, you need to set up Google Colaboratory. Here’s how to do it:
⚠️ Note: For instant indexing, you need to upload a notebook project file on Google Colaboratory. Without this notebook file, you cannot submit any URLs for instant indexing.
You can download the notebook file by clicking the button below:
Step 1: Open colab.research.google.com in your browser to set up Google Colaboratory.
Step 2: In the menu, click File, then select Upload notebook.
Step 3: A file upload page will open. Click Browse or drag your notebook file here to upload it.
Once uploaded, your notebook project will be created. Now you need to connect your Google Drive account, where you uploaded the JSON file.
Step 4: To connect Google Drive, click the play icon in the notebook.
Step 5: You will be asked for permission to connect to Google Drive. Click Connect to Google Drive.
Step 6: Select the Gmail account where you uploaded the JSON file.
Step 7: Click Continue, grant all permissions, and then click Continue again.
Note: Before clicking the play icon, a green check mark should appear. This indicates that your Google Drive is successfully connected to Google Colaboratory, and all your Drive folders and files will be visible.
Step 8: Click the folder icon and open the My Drive folder.
Step 9: Open the folder where you uploaded the JSON file.
Step 10: Click the three dots icon next to the JSON file and select Copy path to copy the file’s location.
Step 11: In the API_Path field, the default file location will appear. Delete it and paste the copied file path.
Step 12: After pasting the file path, click the play icon. This will connect your API file location. Ensure that the green check mark appears before the play icon.
Now, Google Colaboratory is successfully set up. You can submit URLs here to instantly index all your posts on Google.
Submit URLs for Instant Post Indexing
Copy the URL of any post from Blogger.com.
Go to Google Colaboratory and paste the post URL in the site url field, then click the play icon.
This will submit your post URL to Google Search for indexing. Indexing usually takes 1–2 minutes, but sometimes may take 1–2 hours.
Using this method, you can index all your posts and pages without using any plugin. Simply paste the post or page link in the Site URL field and click the play icon, ensuring the green tick mark appears to confirm everything is connected.
⚠️ Important: If the green tick does not appear, it means one of the previous steps was missed. Make sure to follow every step carefully.
How to Use API Indexing on WordPress
Using API indexing on WordPress is much easier because there is a plugin available in the WordPress plugin section.
Follow these steps to use API Indexing on WordPress:
Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: Go to the Plugins section and click Add New Plugin.
Using API Indexing on WordPress (Rank Math Plugin)
Step 3: Search for API Indexing in the WordPress plugin repository.
Step 4: You will see multiple results. Install the plugin published by Rank Math and activate it.
Step 5: After installation, go to the Rank Math option in the dashboard and click on Instant Indexing.
Step 6: Upload the JSON file downloaded from Google Developers Console. Check the options for Posts, Pages, and Media, then click Save Changes to save the settings.
Step 7: Click on the Console option at the top.
Step 8: Delete the default domain URL, paste the post URL instead, select Google: Publish/Update URL, and click Send to API.
Your post will now be submitted for instant indexing. It usually gets indexed on Google within a few minutes to 1–2 hours.
Repeat this process for all posts you want to index instantly.
Benefits of API Indexing
1. Real-Time Data Access
Instantly indexing new or updated data ensures users get the latest information.
Ideal for real-time applications like stock markets, news updates, or e-commerce platforms.
2. Better User Experience
Users receive updated data instantly, improving their overall experience.
Especially important for e-commerce platforms, search engines, and social media apps.
3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
New content appears in search engines immediately.
Helps improve SEO ranking and increase website traffic.
4. Data Analytics and Reporting
Fresh data availability accelerates analytics and reporting processes.
Practical Use Cases:
E-commerce: New products can be searched instantly.
News websites: Latest news gets indexed immediately.
Blog websites: Blog posts and pages get fast Google indexing.
Financial platforms: Stock market and exchange data updates in real-time.
Social media: New posts and updates appear instantly.
API Instant Indexing is a powerful tool for modern digital platforms, improving real-time data access, accuracy, and user experience. Using API indexing, you can quickly index your blog posts on Google.
We hope this guide helped you understand the process clearly. If anything is still unclear or you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.
