Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing IndexNow for Startups

To implement IndexNow for a startup website, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Generate an API Key
   Create a unique API key that verifies your ownership of the domain. This can be done easily on Bing’s IndexNow page or through participating search engines. The API key is a simple string that you will use to authenticate your submissions.

2. Host the API Key File on Your Website
   Save the API key in a plain text file named exactly as your API key with a .txt extension. Upload this file to the root directory of your website (usually the public_html folder in your hosting control panel). This step proves domain ownership to search engines.

3. Submit URLs to IndexNow
   You can submit URLs in two ways:

   • Single URL submission (HTTP GET): Send a GET request to the IndexNow endpoint with your API key and the URL you want indexed.
     Example:
     https://api.indexnow.org/submit?key=YOUR_API_KEY&url=https://yourdomain.com/page
   • Bulk URL submission (JSON POST): For submitting up to 10,000 URLs at once, send a POST request with a JSON payload containing your API key, URLs array, and host.
     Example JSON payload:

     {
       "key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
       "urls": [
         "https://yourdomain.com/page1",
         "https://yourdomain.com/page2"
       ],
       "host": "https://yourdomain.com"
     }
     

   This can be done programmatically or via tools that support IndexNow.

4. Automate URL Submission (Optional but Recommended)
   For startups with frequent content updates, integrate IndexNow into your CMS or publishing workflow to automatically notify search engines whenever content is created, updated, or deleted. This can be done by adding API calls in your backend or using plugins/apps if available (e.g., Shopify apps like TinyIMG).

5. Monitor Submission Status
   Use Bing Webmaster Tools or other participating search engine portals to check the status of your submitted URLs and ensure they are being indexed properly.

6. Best Practices

   • Only submit URLs when content is created, updated, or deleted to avoid duplicate submissions.
   • Keep your API key secure and rotate it if compromised.
   • Combine IndexNow with XML sitemaps for comprehensive coverage.
   • Monitor server responses and retry failed submissions after fixing issues.

Summary Table for Startups

This approach ensures your startup’s new or updated content is indexed almost instantly by search engines supporting IndexNow, improving SEO visibility and reducing indexing delays.