How to Rescan Your Squarespace Site After SEO Updates
TL;DR:
- Use Google Search Console to manually trigger a rescan after making SEO changes to your Squarespace site
- The URL Inspection tool lets you request indexing for your entire site or specific pages
- Changes won't appear in search results immediately as Google needs time to process updates
- Make sure your Squarespace SEO settings are properly optimised before requesting a rescan
Making SEO updates to your Squarespace site is only half the job. You need to tell Google about these changes so they can be reflected in search results. Here's how to manually trigger a rescan using Google Search Console.
Getting Started with Google Search Console
Before you can request a rescan, your site needs to be verified in Google Search Console. If you haven't done this yet, you'll need to complete the verification process first.
Once you're verified, you can use the URL Inspection tool to request that Google takes another look at your site.
How to Request a Rescan
The process is straightforward:
- Open Google Search Console and select your Squarespace site
- Click on the URL Inspection tool in the left sidebar
- Enter your site's URL in the search box and press Enter
- If your site has been indexed before, you'll see a "Request Indexing" button
- Click this button to ask Google to revisit your site
This tells Google that you've made changes and would like them to crawl your site again. The same process works for individual pages too – just enter the specific page URL instead of your homepage.
Optimising Your Squarespace SEO Settings
Before requesting a rescan, double-check that your SEO settings are actually optimised. There's no point asking Google to look at your site again if the improvements aren't properly in place.
Go through your site's SEO settings and verify that your meta titles, descriptions, and other elements follow best practices. This ensures you get the most benefit from your rescan request.
Managing Your Expectations
Don't expect immediate results. Google's indexing process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on various factors including your site's authority and how frequently Google typically crawls it.
You can monitor progress by checking back in Google Search Console or by searching for your site using the "site:" operator in Google.
FAQs
How long does it take to see changes after requesting a rescan?
It varies, but typically anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Google doesn't provide exact timeframes, so patience is key.
Can I request indexing for individual pages?
Yes, use the same URL Inspection tool but enter the specific page URL instead of your homepage URL.
Should I request a rescan for every small SEO change?
No, save it for significant updates. Minor tweaks like small text changes don't usually warrant a manual rescan request.
What if my request gets rejected?
Google sometimes rejects indexing requests if they're submitted too frequently or if there are technical issues with your site. Wait a few days and try again.
Jargon Buster
Google Search Console – A free tool from Google that helps you monitor how your website appears in search results
Indexing – The process where search engines add your web pages to their database so they can appear in search results
URL Inspection Tool – A feature in Google Search Console that shows you how Google sees a specific page on your site
Crawling – When search engines visit your website to read and analyse your content
Wrap-up
Manually requesting a rescan through Google Search Console is a simple way to speed up the process of getting your SEO improvements noticed. While it won't guarantee immediate results, it's worth doing after significant changes to your site's SEO settings.
Remember that good SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Regular content updates and SEO maintenance will help keep your site performing well in search results.
Ready to take your Squarespace SEO further? Join Pixelhaze Academy for comprehensive training and ongoing support.