Definition
IndexNow is an open instant indexation protocol initiated by Microsoft Bing and Yandex, which allows webmasters to notify participating search engines when a web page is created, updated, or deleted. Unlike the traditional approach where engines regularly crawl sites to discover changes, IndexNow reverses the process by allowing sites to push notifications to engines. The protocol works via a simple HTTP request with an authentication key, and a single notification is enough to inform all participating engines. IndexNow is supported by Bing, Yandex, Naver, Seznam, and other engines. Google has not officially adopted IndexNow but is following the protocol's development. Implementation is simple and can be automated via CMS plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math.
Key Points
- Open instant indexation protocol supported by Bing and Yandex
- Simple implementation via HTTP request or CMS plugins
- A single notification informs all participating engines
Practical Examples
WordPress implementation
Enable IndexNow via a plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to automatically notify Bing and other participating engines with each page publication or update.
Manual API notification
Send an HTTP POST request to the IndexNow API with the list of modified URLs for instant notification to search engines.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of now, Google has not officially adopted the IndexNow protocol. Google has its own Indexing API and considers its crawl system sufficiently efficient. However, implementing IndexNow doesn't hurt and benefits visibility on Bing and other participating engines.
Yes, IndexNow is an open and completely free protocol. You just need to generate an authentication key and configure notification sending. Many CMS plugins integrate it natively at no additional cost.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07