Definition
The Google Indexing API is an official Google programming interface that allows webmasters to directly notify the search engine when a page is published, updated, or removed. Originally designed for pages with JobPosting and BroadcastEvent structured data, the API is now more broadly used by the SEO community to accelerate indexing of all page types. The API offers near-instant indexing, much faster than sitemap submission or the Search Console URL Inspection tool. It allows submitting up to 200 URLs per day by default, with the option to request a higher quota. The API requires technical setup with a Google Cloud service account and OAuth 2.0 authentication.
Key Points
- Official Google API for near-instant indexation
- 200 URLs per day by default with expandable quota
- Requires technical setup with Google Cloud
Practical Examples
New page notification
Use the Indexing API to immediately notify Google after publishing a new article, achieving indexation in minutes instead of days.
Removal notification
Inform Google via the API that a page has been removed to accelerate deindexation and prevent users from finding 404 errors in search results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Officially, Google recommends the API for pages with JobPosting and BroadcastEvent structured data. In practice, many SEOs use it successfully for other page types, but Google does not guarantee indexation of content outside the recommended scope.
Yes, the Google Indexing API is free within the allocated quota (200 URLs/day by default). Setup requires a Google Cloud account (also free for standard quotas).
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Last updated: 2026-02-07