At Nifty, we get this question from time to time: “Do backlinks only count if the page linking to you is indexed in Google?” The short answer is actually “No”.
Don’t get me wrong, evidence of indexation is definitely ideal and we strive for that. Proof of indexation confirms that not only has Google crawled the page, but deemed it worthy enough to store in its search results. But, like most things in SEO, the truth is more nuanced.
So, let’s unpack how link value really works, how you can (and can’t) verify indexation, and why relying on third-party tools can lead you down the wrong path.
Crawling vs. Indexing vs. Link Value
Here’s what you need to know about the three separate, but often conflated, functions:
- Crawling: Googlebot fetches the page’s HTML and scans for links and content.
- Indexing: Google decides whether that page is valuable and relevant enough to store and show in search results to the public.
- Link Signal Extraction: If Googlebot crawls a page and sees a valid <a href> ink, that link can still pass ranking value even if the page isn’t indexed.
Indexing is not a hard-and-fast prerequisite for passing link equity; crawlability is.
How to Maximize Link Value (Indexed or Not)
Use this checklist to make sure your backlinks are giving you every possible advantage:
- Page is not blocked by robots.txt, “CHECK”
- Link is a standard HTML <a href>, “CHECK”
- No rel=”nofollow”, ugc, or sponsored (unless required), “CHECK”
- Page is crawlable (not gated or login-protected), “CHECK”
- Page is linked from somewhere else (not orphaned), “CHECK”
If these conditions apply, then your link will pass value. Even if the page is set to noindex, Google can still crawl it and pass the link value; the crawl frequency will just fade over an extended period of time.
Three Common Ways to Check Indexation (and Why They Mislead)
Many SEOs rely on surface-level index checks, but these have inherent flaws and limitations. Here are the three most common methods:
1. Site Colon Method
Example: site:lawfirmdomainname.com/page-name
- Checks if the page appears in Google’s index.
- Problem: If it doesn’t show up, that doesn’t necessarily mean the page isn’t indexed, it might just not be ranked highly.
2. Inurl Colon Method
Example: inurl:lawfirmdomainname.com/page-name
- Searches for pages that include a specific keyword(s) in the URL path.
- Problem: Like site:, this is a ranking-based view, not a crawl-log view.
3. Naked URL Search
Example: Paste the full URL into Google’s search bar.
- If it appears, it’s likely indexed. If not, maybe not.
- Problem: Still not definitive.
What’s The Most & Only Reliable Method? Google Search Console
If you really want to know whether a page is indexed, you need access to Google Search Console (GSC).
Using the URL Inspection tool, you can:
- Confirm whether Google has crawled the page
- See if the page is indexed
- Review any crawl errors or exclusions
- Problem: This tool is only available to verified site owners or admins, which means third-party tools are guessing, not reporting.
What We Found: A Case Study on Indexation Accuracy
After Google’s March 2024 core update, we ran a study to assess indexation accuracy across 1,000 of our backlinks for a customer. We compared results from a common third-party tool (IndexCheckr) to the URL Inspection tool in GSC.
- IndexCheckr reported 758 links indexed and 242 not indexed.
- Of the 242 “not indexed” links, we inspected each in GSC. 224 of them were actually indexed.
- Final result? 982 out of 1,000 were indexed.
That’s a 22% discrepancy from what the third-party tool showed.
Conclusion: If you’re making decisions based on third-party indexation reports, you’re likely underestimating your link success.
Bottom Line: Indexed? Not Required. Crawlable? Absolutely.
Your backlink doesn’t have to appear in Google’s search results in order to pass link value, but it does need to be on a crawlable page with a real, followable link.
If you’re not sure whether your links are helping or hurting your strategy, our team can run a comprehensive backlink audit and help you prioritize what really matters.
If you’re interested in learning more about link building, feel free to check out “The Ultimate List of Local Link Building Ideas“.
Devin is the Director of Product at Nifty. With over a decade at Nifty, and even more years working in the SEO and digital marketing space, Devin has done it all – from execution to high-level strategy. He is a Google Product Expert and speaks French fluently. In his spare time, Devin enjoys fishing, playing tennis with his wife, and cheering on his kids from the sidelines.