Indexing your Substack newsletters on search engines like Google and Bing is essential for increasing visibility and attracting more readers. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to get your newsletters noticed.
Before diving into indexing, make sure your Substack is SEO-ready:
- Use clear and descriptive keywords that explain your niche (e.g., "Tech Trends Weekly" or "Healthy Living Tips").
- Go to your newsletter settings and include a brief description of what readers will find in your content.
- Keep it under 160 characters and include relevant keywords.
- Substack allows you to create custom URLs for your posts. Use simple, keyword-rich URLs (e.g.,
/weekly-tech-insightsinstead of/post-1234).
Google Search Console helps Google index your newsletter faster. Here's how to use it:
- Go to Google Search Console.
- Click "Start Now" and log in with your Google account.
- Select "Add Property" and enter your Substack URL (e.g.,
https://[yournewsletter].substack.com). - Choose the verification method (usually via DNS or HTML file upload). Follow the instructions provided.
- Once verified, go to the Sitemaps section and paste your sitemap link (e.g.,
https://[yournewsletter].substack.com/sitemap.xml). - Click Submit and wait for Google to crawl and index your pages.
Like Google, Bing also offers tools to help with indexing:
- Visit Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Log in with your Microsoft account and click "Add a Site".
- Enter your Substack URL and verify ownership using the provided methods.
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Manual URL Submission
- Go to URL Inspection → Enter each link you need to index → Click Request Indexing.
- Go to URL Inspection → Enter each link you need to index → Click Request Indexing.
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Sitemap Submission
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Go to the Sitemaps section and add your sitemap link.
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Your sitemap link for Substack should be in this format:
https://[yournewsletter].substack.com/sitemap.xml.
Example:https://example.substack.com/sitemap.xml. -
Add the link to your Substack sitemap. Note that it will take a while for Bing to crawl and index your page. If the sitemap is valid, you should see a Success status.
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While waiting for indexing, increase visibility by sharing your newsletters:
- Share on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Encourage readers to link to your posts.
- Post your links on related forums or communities (e.g., Reddit).
Keep track of how your newsletter is performing in search results:
- Check Google Search Console for search data, impressions, and click-through rates.
- Use Bing Webmaster Tools for similar insights.
- Use relevant keywords naturally in your newsletters.
- Add alt text to images for better accessibility and search visibility.
- Publish consistently to keep your audience and search engines engaged.
By following these steps, your Substack newsletter will be set up for indexing, making it easier for readers to discover your content on Google and Bing. Happy writing! 🚀
If you are an indie newsletter creator and want to explore interesting newsletters in your niche, take a look at my newsletter directory website, BiteSizedBriefs.