How to Use the URL Inspection Tool

Learn how to use the URL inspection tool in Google Search Console to check indexing, fix crawl issues and improve search visibility.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and provide step-by-step guidance on How to use the URL inspection tool effectively, helping you troubleshoot and optimise specific site pages with accuracy.

The URL Inspection Tool is a feature within Google Search Console that allows you to see how Googlebot crawls, indexes, and understands a specific page on your website. It provides real-time data directly from Google’s index, showing whether a page is eligible to appear in search results, if it’s been indexed, and if there are any technical issues preventing it from performing well.

In essence, it’s like a direct line between your website and Google’s search system. You can use it to check live pages, identify problems, and request indexing after updates or new content launches.

Why the URL Inspection Tool is important

Search engine optimisation is not just about keywords and backlinks   it’s also about technical visibility. Even the best content will fail to rank if Google cannot properly crawl or index it.

The URL Inspection Tool helps with:

  • Verifying whether a page is indexed.

  • Diagnosing crawl or mobile usability issues.

  • Checking canonical tags and canonical URLs.

  • Confirming structured data implementation.

  • Understanding how Google last saw your page.

  • Requesting re-indexing after content changes.

For businesses focused on local SEO, using this tool regularly ensures your most important service and location pages are visible and performing correctly.

How to access the URL Inspection Tool

To use the tool, you must have access to your website’s Google Search Console property. Once logged in:

  1. Enter the full URL of the page you want to inspect in the search bar at the top of the dashboard.

  2. Press Enter. Google will retrieve data from its index for that page.

  3. Review the results to see whether the page is indexed, how it was crawled, and any detected issues.

You can also click “Test Live URL” to get updated information about how Google currently sees the page rather than how it appeared the last time it was crawled.

Key information the URL Inspection Tool provides

Understanding the data displayed is essential for using the tool effectively. Here are the main sections you’ll see and what they mean:

1. Index status

This section tells you whether the page is indexed. If it is, you’ll see confirmation that the URL is on Google. If not, the tool will explain why   such as “Excluded by noindex tag” or “Crawled but not indexed.”
Common reasons for non-indexing include:

  • The page is new and hasn’t been crawled yet.

  • A noindex directive in your meta tags or HTTP headers.

  • Duplicate or low-quality content that Google doesn’t consider unique.

  • Crawl budget prioritisation on larger sites.

2. Coverage details

Coverage reports show whether Google encountered any issues while crawling the page. These may include:

  • Server errors (5xx responses).

  • Redirect loops or broken links.

  • Blocked resources from robots.txt files.

Fixing coverage errors promptly ensures your site remains fully accessible to Googlebot.

3. Canonical URL

The canonical section shows which version of a page Google considers the “official” one. If you have similar or duplicate content, canonical tags help consolidate ranking signals. The tool displays both your declared canonical URL and the one Google has chosen. If they differ, it could indicate a need to refine your canonical settings.

4. Mobile usability

With mobile-first indexing now standard, Google primarily evaluates websites from a mobile perspective. The URL Inspection Tool checks for mobile usability problems such as small fonts, unresponsive layouts, or clickable elements that are too close together. Resolving these improves user experience and supports ranking performance.

5. Enhancements and structured data

If your page includes schema markup, such as LocalBusiness, FAQ, or Product schema, the tool shows whether it was detected correctly. Errors in structured data can prevent rich results from appearing in search, so it’s vital to check this section after implementation.

How to use the URL Inspection Tool for SEO improvement

The real value of the URL Inspection Tool comes from how you use the insights it provides. Below are practical ways to apply it effectively.

1. Confirm indexing after publishing new pages

After publishing a new blog or service page, enter its URL into the tool. If it’s not indexed, click “Request Indexing.” This alerts Google to crawl and add it to search results faster. Doing this helps new content appear sooner, especially for time-sensitive campaigns or local updates.

2. Troubleshoot pages not appearing in search

If an important page is missing from search results, use the tool to identify why. Check for crawl errors, canonical mismatches, or noindex tags. Sometimes, simply requesting indexing after resolving these issues is enough to restore visibility.

3. Monitor updates after site changes

Whenever you update a page   such as revising content, improving metadata, or fixing technical errors   recheck it in the tool. “Test Live URL” ensures Google sees the latest version. You can then request re-indexing to update it in the search index quickly.

4. Validate structured data

After adding schema markup, use the tool to confirm that Google has recognised it. If you see errors, revisit your structured data implementation and correct any issues. This helps ensure your content qualifies for rich results, improving click-through rates.

5. Check internal linking and redirects

If you move or merge pages, use the tool to confirm that redirects are working correctly and that the new page is indexed. This prevents broken links and preserves ranking signals from older URLs.

6. Track performance for local landing pages

For local SEO campaigns, it’s essential that Google indexes your key location and service pages. Regularly inspect these URLs to confirm they’re indexed and free of mobile or coverage errors. This ensures your business appears in searches for local terms and map results.

Common issues the URL Inspection Tool can help you fix

  • “Crawled – currently not indexed” – Indicates that Google has seen the page but decided not to include it in search yet. Improve content quality or internal links to encourage indexing.

  • “Blocked by robots.txt” – Means your robots.txt file is preventing Googlebot from accessing the page. Adjust permissions if necessary.

  • “Duplicate without user-selected canonical” – Google has detected similar pages and chosen a different version as canonical. Specify your preferred URL with a canonical tag.

  • “Server error (5xx)” – Indicates temporary hosting or performance issues. These should be addressed immediately as they affect crawlability.

Tips for using the tool effectively

  1. Use it regularly – Check your most important pages monthly, especially after updates or new launches.

  2. Document findings – Keep a log of which URLs were inspected, the issues found, and the dates of re-indexing requests.

  3. Cross-check with performance data – Use insights from the Performance Report in Search Console to track traffic improvements after resolving issues.

  4. Combine with sitemap submissions – Submitting your XML sitemap helps Google discover pages, while the URL Inspection Tool ensures individual pages are indexed properly.

  5. Prioritise key content – Focus inspections on high-value pages like service areas, product pages, and contact information.

Expert advice

The URL Inspection Tool is not just for troubleshooting   it’s also a proactive monitoring tool. Using it regularly keeps your website’s technical SEO in good health and ensures Google understands your content the way you intend. For local businesses, this is especially important because local visibility depends on accurate, indexable information.

Pairing the URL Inspection Tool with tools like Google Analytics and Google Business Profile helps create a full picture of visibility and performance. You’ll know not only how users find you, but also how search engines interpret your site.

Conclusion

The URL Inspection Tool is one of the most valuable features in Google Search Console for maintaining and improving SEO performance. It shows exactly how Google views each page, highlights errors, and helps you ensure that your content appears where it should. By using it regularly and acting on its insights, you can strengthen your website’s technical foundations, boost rankings, and improve local search visibility for your business.

We have also written in depth articles on How to use Google Search Console to improve Local SEO and How to verify your website in Google Search Console as well as our Google Search Console Hub to give you further guidance.