Guide · 7 min read · Updated October 2026
Does Google Support IndexNow? What to Use Instead in 2026
No. Google does not support IndexNow. Google said in 2021 that it would test the protocol, but it has not adopted it, so IndexNow submissions do not reach Google. IndexNow is used by Bing, Yandex, Seznam, Naver and Yep, which share every submission with each other.
For Google you still need an XML sitemap, the URL Inspection tool in Search Console, or the Google Indexing API. The good news: you can use IndexNow and Google’s own methods side by side, and both are free.
Key takeaways
- IndexNow reaches Bing, Yandex, Seznam, Naver and Yep with one request. It does not reach Google.
- For Google, use sitemaps, URL Inspection and the Google Indexing API.
- Setting up IndexNow takes two minutes: one key file on your site, then submit URLs with Instant Index.
What is IndexNow?
IndexNow is an open protocol launched by Microsoft Bing and Yandex in 2021. Instead of waiting for crawlers to discover changes, a website sends a short message saying "these URLs were added, updated or deleted". Participating search engines share submissions, so notifying one notifies all of them.
You prove you own the site by placing a text file containing your key at your site root, for example https://example.com/your-key.txt. No account or login is needed.
Which search engines support IndexNow?
| Search engine | Supports IndexNow? |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Bing | Yes |
| Yandex | Yes |
| Seznam.cz | Yes |
| Naver | Yes |
| Yep | Yes |
| No |
Bing results also power several other search and AI products, so IndexNow helps your pages appear in more places than Bing.com alone.
How to notify Google instead
| Method | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| XML sitemap in Search Console | Every site, all pages | Google reads it on its own schedule |
| URL Inspection → Request indexing | A few important pages | Small daily quota |
| Google Indexing API | Many pages on sites you own | About 200 URLs/day; officially for job and livestream pages |
| Internal links and backlinks | Long-term discovery | Depends on how often your site is crawled |
Google retired its old sitemap "ping" endpoint in 2023, so pinging Google no longer works. Add a Sitemap: line to robots.txt and keep the sitemap in Search Console up to date instead. Our Google Indexing API setup guide walks through the API step by step.
IndexNow vs Google Indexing API
| IndexNow | Google Indexing API | |
|---|---|---|
| Search engines | Bing, Yandex, Seznam, Naver, Yep | Google only |
| Setup | One key file on your site | Google Cloud project, service account, Search Console owner |
| Account needed | No | Google account |
| Limit | Up to 10,000 URLs per request | About 200 URLs per day by default |
| Cost | Free | Free |
Most sites should use both: IndexNow for every new or updated page, and the Google Indexing API or URL Inspection for the pages that matter most in Google.
How to set up IndexNow in 2 minutes
- Open Instant Index and paste the URLs you want to submit.
- Choose IndexNow · no account. A key is generated for your domain.
- Click Download key file and upload the file to your website’s root folder (the same folder as robots.txt).
- Click Verify to confirm the file is reachable.
- Click Instant Index. Up to 10,000 URLs are sent in one batch.
WordPress users can also use a plugin such as the official IndexNow plugin, or the IndexNow option in popular SEO plugins, to submit pages automatically whenever they are published.
Submit URLs with IndexNow for free
No sign-up, up to 10,000 URLs per batch, with a free URL check first. Optional Google Indexing API.
Can IndexNow index backlinks?
Only backlinks on websites you own. IndexNow checks that the key file is on the same domain as the URLs, so you cannot submit pages on other people’s sites. For guest posts, citations and other external links, use a backlink indexer, which creates a crawl path to them. See how to index backlinks for all methods.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google support IndexNow?
No. Google said in 2021 it would test IndexNow but has not adopted it. Use sitemaps, URL Inspection or the Google Indexing API for Google.
Is IndexNow worth using if Google ignores it?
Yes. It is free, takes two minutes, and gets your pages into Bing, Yandex and other engines faster. Bing results also feed several other search and AI tools.
Does IndexNow guarantee indexing?
No. It tells search engines a URL changed. They still decide whether to crawl and index it.
How many URLs can I submit with IndexNow?
Up to 10,000 URLs per request. Only submit URLs that are new, updated or deleted.
Do I need a Bing Webmaster Tools account for IndexNow?
No. The key file on your site is enough. Bing Webmaster Tools is still useful for seeing your indexing status.