Deindex is to remove the page from search results. It can be done by both webmaster and Google.
Google deindexes pages in these cases:
- page shows search engines one thing and displays another one to the user
- low-quality link building
- pages with phishing or malware
- free web hosting
- spam comments
- abusing keywords
- hidden content
- duplicate content
- machine-generated content
Therefore, if a website does not want to get deindexed, it should be avoiding these practices.
However, webmasters themselves want to deindex some pages. It happens when:
- the content on the page is outdated
- there is from little to no content on the page (for example, thank you pages after a completed order)
- there is gated content (content that better be not accessed before the user gives their information. For example, when you have to enter email for accessing a download page with a checklist)
- website is still being developed
- website should be accessed only by the invitation of an owner
- website is being tested
In order to remove the website or page from search results, a webmaster can use Google Search Control, include a 410 error in the URL, or choose the “noindex” norm.
