WP Auto Noindex works best when configured conservatively. These recommended settings focus on reducing index bloat, improving crawl efficiency, and keeping low-value WordPress URLs out of Google’s index without harming rankings.
Core approach
WP Auto Noindex follows a simple rule: if a page does not add search value, it should not be indexed. Ranking pages, commercial pages, and deliberately optimised content should always remain indexable.
Search pages
Search result pages generated by WordPress should be noindexed.
- They generate infinite thin URLs such as
?s=keyword - They create crawl noise and Search Console clutter
- They do not provide unique or evergreen content
Tag archives
Tag archive pages are usually safe to noindex.
- They often duplicate category and post content
- They rarely attract links or rankings on their own
If your site uses tags as curated landing pages with unique copy, consider leaving them indexable.
Author archives
Author archive pages should be noindexed on most sites.
- They provide little value on single-author sites
- They often duplicate post listings without context
Leave indexed only if authors are intentionally optimised and part of your content strategy.
Date archives
Date-based archives should be noindexed.
- They repeat the same posts across multiple URLs
- They rarely rank or serve search intent
Attachment pages
Attachment pages should be noindexed.
- They often contain no content beyond the media file
- They are a common source of index bloat
- They frequently appear as “Crawled currently not indexed”
Pagination
Paged archive URLs should be noindexed.
- Pages such as
/category/example/page/2/rarely rank - They consume crawl budget without adding value
Internal links remain crawlable when paginated pages are noindexed.
WooCommerce system pages
The following WooCommerce pages should always be noindexed:
- Cart page
- Checkout page
- My Account page
These pages are not search content and should never appear in results.
Product pages
Product pages should remain indexable.
- They are commercial landing pages
- They target transactional search intent
WP Auto Noindex does not affect product URLs by default.
Custom taxonomies and archives
Custom taxonomy and CPT archives should be reviewed individually.
- Noindex archives that are thin or duplicated
- Keep indexed archives that act as primary landing pages
Exclusions
Do not apply noindex to pages that:
- Already rank
- Have backlinks
- Are part of a keyword strategy
- Act as cornerstone content
WP Auto Noindex allows exclusions to prevent accidental deindexing.
What to expect in Search Console
After applying recommended settings, you should gradually see:
- Fewer low-value indexed URLs
- Cleaner Pages and Coverage reports
- Improved crawl focus on important content
Next steps
- Read: How WP Auto Noindex works
- Read: Recommended settings
- Read: WooCommerce indexing guidance