How to Use the URL Inspection Tool

Google Search Console is one of the most powerful free tools available to businesses in the UK, and at the heart of it is the URL inspection tool. This feature allows you to check how Google sees an individual page on your website, providing detailed insights into indexing, crawling and potential issues that may affect visibility in search results. Using the URL inspection tool effectively is essential for improving SEO performance, ensuring content is accessible to Google and verifying that any updates or fixes you make are recognised quickly.

What the URL Inspection Tool Is

The URL inspection tool is a feature within Google Search Console that lets you analyse a single web page. It shows whether the page is indexed, when it was last crawled and whether there are issues preventing it from appearing in search results. It also provides information about enhancements such as structured data, mobile usability and canonical tags. Unlike the broader reports in Search Console, the URL inspection tool focuses on specific URLs, making it ideal for troubleshooting and monitoring important pages such as homepages, landing pages or new blog content.

Checking Indexing Status

One of the most common uses of the URL inspection tool is to check if a page has been indexed by Google. Entering a URL provides an instant report showing whether the page is in the index and eligible to appear in search results. If the page is not indexed, the tool explains why, such as a noindex directive, canonicalisation to another page or crawl errors. This allows you to quickly identify and resolve issues that may be preventing your content from being discovered by potential customers.

Requesting Indexing

The tool also allows you to request indexing for pages that are new or recently updated. Once you have made changes to a page, using the inspection tool to request indexing prompts Google to recrawl and reprocess the content. This is particularly valuable for time sensitive updates such as new service pages, promotional content or important business announcements. While indexing is not immediate, requesting it ensures that your changes are prioritised, reducing delays in visibility.

Diagnosing Crawl Issues

Another important function of the URL inspection tool is diagnosing crawl issues. The report shows when the page was last crawled and whether Googlebot encountered any problems. If the page was inaccessible due to server errors, blocked resources or misconfigured robots.txt, the tool highlights this clearly. Understanding crawl status helps businesses ensure that Google can reliably access their content. For UK businesses with complex sites, regular use of this feature can prevent unseen issues from holding back rankings.

Reviewing Live Page Data

The URL inspection tool offers the option to test a live version of the page. This runs a real time crawl and shows how Google sees the content at that moment. It can reveal whether fixes have taken effect or whether problems such as slow loading times or blocked scripts are still present. Using live testing is particularly useful after implementing SEO changes, as it confirms that updates are visible to Google before waiting for a scheduled crawl.

Understanding Canonicalisation

In cases where similar pages exist, Google often selects one version as the canonical page to index. The URL inspection tool shows which URL Google has chosen as canonical and whether it matches your preferred version. If not, this could mean your SEO signals are being diluted across duplicate pages. The tool helps you identify canonicalisation issues and take steps to fix them by adjusting canonical tags or consolidating duplicate content.

Assessing Mobile Usability and Enhancements

The tool also provides insights into mobile usability and structured data enhancements. It can show whether a page is mobile friendly and whether features such as schema markup are being detected correctly. For businesses that rely on rich results, such as product listings, reviews or local business information, this is essential. Identifying missing or invalid structured data through the inspection tool allows you to correct issues and improve visibility in search features.

When to Use the URL Inspection Tool

The URL inspection tool is best used for pages that are critical to your business or for diagnosing specific issues. For example, if a newly created service page is not ranking, the tool can confirm whether it has been indexed or if there are problems to address. It is also valuable after site migrations, when you need to ensure that redirects and new URLs are being processed correctly. Regular use as part of an SEO workflow helps keep important pages healthy and competitive in search results.

Conclusion

The URL inspection tool is one of the most practical features within Google Search Console, offering detailed insights into how Google views individual pages. By using it to check indexing status, request reindexing, diagnose crawl errors, assess live data, review canonicalisation and verify enhancements, UK businesses can ensure their content is visible and performing well. Making this tool part of your SEO routine not only helps resolve issues quickly but also provides reassurance that your most important pages are being recognised by Google as intended.