Google Removes "Not Selected" Within Google Webmaster Tools Index Status

Feb 8, 2013 - 8:42 am 13 by

Google Webmaster ToolsIf you login to your Google Webmaster Tools and go to the Index status report, then click on advanced, you will see Google removed the "not selected" option from the report.

Not selected was a very intriguing option within the report. We've talked about how you can use not selected in the past, in fact, Google's John Mueller said it is useful in that:

The number of "not selected" URLs is based on URLs that are either substantially similar or redirecting -- if you have changed your site's URL structure and have redirected those URLs, then that would be a good explanation for that. That curve would also be fine and not a signal of a problem.

Google Replaces

Why did Google replace it? Google has not said why yet. There are threads in WebmasterWorld and Google Webmaster Help but no response from an official Googler yet.

Most webmasters probably have never used the feature but many did find it useful.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and Google Webmaster Help.

Confirmed: John Mueller of Google responded to my question on Google+ confirming it was pulled. He said:

Yep, this was removed on purpose since it was causing more confusion than actually helping webmasters with their sites.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Follow

Search Video Recaps

 
Google Core Update Flux, AdSense Ad Intent, California Link Tax & More - YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: April 25, 2024

Apr 25, 2024 - 4:00 pm
Google Updates

Google March Core Update Still Rolling Out & Heated SEO Chatter Continue

Apr 25, 2024 - 7:51 am
Google

Report: How Prabhakar Raghavan Killed Google Search

Apr 25, 2024 - 7:41 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Favicon Documentation Adds Rel Attribute Value Definitions

Apr 25, 2024 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads API Version 16.1 Now Available

Apr 25, 2024 - 7:21 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Splitting & Merging Sites Takes Longer Than Normal Site Migrations

Apr 25, 2024 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Does Google Update Their AdSense Algorithm?