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IndexNow

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IndexNow is an open protocol that lets websites notify search engines when URLs are added, updated or deleted. Microsoft Bing and Yandex introduced it on October 18, 2021. Notifying one participating engine notifies all of them. Google has not adopted IndexNow, so it mainly speeds discovery in Bing, which powers Copilot.

How does IndexNow work?

You generate a key, host it in a text file at your site root, and submit changed URLs; “by notifying one search engine you will notify all search engines that have adopted IndexNow.”[1][2]

Does Google support IndexNow?

Google is not an IndexNow participant; use sitemaps for Google.

Faster Bing discovery helps keep content current in Bing, which grounds Copilot.[3]

Frequently asked questions

Is IndexNow free?

Yes, it is an open protocol.

Does IndexNow guarantee indexing?

No; it notifies engines, which still decide.

How do I implement it on WordPress?

Several SEO plugins support it; check your plugin’s documentation.

References

Sources accessed October 14, 2026 unless another date is given. See all sources.

  1. “IndexNow: Instantly index your web content in search engines”. Bing Webmaster Blog. October 18, 2021.
  2. “What is IndexNow?”. IndexNow.org. accessed October 14, 2026.
  3. “AI Performance”. Bing Webmaster Tools Help. accessed October 14, 2026.
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