How to get your website on Google
Google finds most sites on its own. These five steps, taken from Google's documentation, make it faster and show you when something is wrong.
Sign up free: 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building from $20/mo.
The short answer
You do not have to submit a site to Google; it finds pages by following links. To speed things up, verify your site in Google Search Console, submit your sitemap, use URL Inspection to request indexing of key pages, and get linked from other sites. Google says a new site can take a few weeks.
The five steps
| What to do | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Publish publicly | Make sure the site is live and not blocked by robots.txt or a noindex tag | Google cannot index what it cannot fetch |
| 2. Verify in Search Console | Add your domain at search.google.com/search-console | Shows errors and what is indexed |
| 3. Submit your sitemap | Paste your sitemap URL (usually /sitemap.xml) in the Sitemaps report | Tells Google which pages exist |
| 4. Request indexing | Use URL Inspection on your homepage and key pages | Asks Google to crawl them |
| 5. Get linked | Business listings, partners, social profiles | Links are how Google discovers sites |
Based on Google Search Central documentation, read on September 24, 2026.
Pros and cons
We.Inc
Best for: Sites that should be search-ready from day one: every live We.Inc site serves a sitemap.xml and robots.txt
Price: Free plan: up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, no AI. AI building from $20/mo (Starter, 250 credits). Pro $49/mo, Max $99/mo.
Pros: Describe what you want in chat and AI builds a full, editable site or app; Edit by clicking on the page, by asking in chat, or in a real code editor; Export the React and TypeScript code to GitHub, so you are never locked in; Unlimited sites on paid plans, custom domains from Starter
Cons: The free plan is templates only; AI building needs a paid plan; Newer platform with a smaller app marketplace than the big names; Store features are simpler than a dedicated ecommerce platform
Do I need to submit my website to Google?
No. Google's documentation says it automatically looks for sites to add, and you usually do not need to do anything except publish your site. Submitting a sitemap and using Search Console are optional, but they speed discovery and show you errors that would otherwise stay invisible.
How long does it take Google to index a new website?
Google says it can take a few weeks to notice a new site, and it does not guarantee indexing. Small sites with no links pointing at them are the ones most often missed. Requesting indexing and getting a few genuine links usually shortens the wait.
Why is my website not showing on Google?
Common causes: the site is too new, nothing links to it, a robots.txt rule or noindex tag blocks it, or the pages are thin. Search Console's Page indexing report and URL Inspection show which applies. Search your site with site:yourdomain.com to see what Google has indexed.
What is a sitemap and where is mine?
A sitemap is a file that lists your pages so search engines can find them. Most builders create one automatically at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. On We.Inc every live site serves sitemap.xml and robots.txt, so you only need to submit the sitemap URL in Search Console.
Start from a template
Sources
- Google Search Central: Get your website on Google (Checked Sept 24, 2026)
- Google Search Central: Build and submit a sitemap (Checked Sept 24, 2026)
- Search Console Help: URL Inspection tool (Checked Sept 24, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Search Console free?
Yes. Search Console is a free Google tool. You verify you own the site, then see indexing status, search queries and errors.
Can I pay Google to index my site faster?
No. Indexing cannot be bought. Ads appear in paid slots but do not affect whether or where your pages rank in regular results.
Does a free subdomain get indexed?
It can. Pages on a builder's subdomain are indexable, but a custom domain is easier to verify in Search Console and builds reputation that stays with you.
How do I check if my site is on Google?
Search site:yourdomain.com. If nothing appears, check Search Console's URL Inspection for the homepage to see why.
Related reading
- How to improve your SEO ranking
- Website launch checklist
- How to add a custom domain
- Free website hosting
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This page is part of our How to make a website hub: see all how to make a website pages.
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