Not Sure What That Google Search Console Email Means? Here’s What to Do!
Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps you understand how your website shows up in search results. But let’s be honest—some of those messages can be a little confusing.
Don’t worry! This quick guide breaks down what those notifications usually mean and how (or if) you need to take action.
⚠️ Note: Zibster is not affiliated with Google. While our team is happy to help you add your Google Search Console verification code, any issues or questions about how Search Console works should be directed to Google Search Console Help.
What Is the Page Indexing Report?
This report in Google Search Console tells you which pages Google is indexing (or not indexing) on your website. If you see some pages listed as not indexed—don’t panic! It doesn’t always mean something is wrong.
Below are some common messages and what they mean:
Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag
What it means:
This page is a version of another page (like a mobile version or a duplicate), and Google correctly linked it to the main version.
What to do:
Nothing. Google understands the relationship and is indexing the main version—this is expected.
Duplicate Without User-Selected Canonical
What it means:
Google found similar or identical content on more than one page and picked one to index. But you haven’t told it which version you prefer.
What to do:
-
Use the Inspect URL tool in Search Console to see which version Google picked.
-
If you prefer a different version, set a canonical tag on that page to tell Google which version is the “main” one.
Duplicate – Google Chose a Different Canonical Than You Did
What it means:
You told Google which version of the page is the main one—but Google picked a different one.
What to do:
Use the Inspect URL tool to compare:
- The canonical you declared
- The one Google chose
If the pages aren’t similar enough, Google might ignore your choice. Make sure the content matches closely if you want to guide Google’s decision.
Not Found (404)
What it means:
Google tried to visit a page on your site, but that page doesn’t exist anymore.
What to do:
Set up a 301 redirect to send visitors (and Google) to a similar, working page.
👉 Need help? Check out our guide on fixing 404 errors.
Soft 404
What it means:
The page technically loads, but Google thinks it doesn’t offer enough content to be useful.
What to do:
-
Add helpful content to the page
OR -
Redirect it to a page that has more value
Page with Redirect
What it means:
One page is redirecting to another. This is usually intentional—like sending visitors from /page to /page/.
What to do:
Nothing! Google will follow the redirect and index the final destination.
Server Error (5xx)
What it means:
Google tried to reach a page, but your website’s server had an issue (like it was temporarily down).
What to do:
Check with your web host or Zibster support. These errors can hurt your SEO if they happen often, so it’s good to resolve them quickly.
Final Thoughts
Google Search Console can feel technical—but it’s a helpful tool once you know what to look for. If you ever feel unsure, you can always:
- Refer to Google’s help docs
- Reach out to our Zibster Support Team for guidance on site setup and redirects
- Stay calm—most of these messages are easy to fix!
