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IndexNow Plugin

By bingwebmastertools

Marketing & Advertising / SEO & Search Optimization

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

IndexNow Plugin Review - In-Depth Analysis

The IndexNow Plugin for WordPress automates the submission of new and updated URLs to search engines. It eliminates the need for manual registration and verification.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.78/10

User Rating

3.2/5 (based on 47+ reviews)

Active Installations

100,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The IndexNow Plugin for WordPress enables automated submission of URLs from WordPress sites to multiple search engines without the need to register and verify your site with them. Once installed, the plugin will automatically generate and host the API key on your site. It detects page creation, update, or deletion in WordPress and automatically submits the URLs in the background. This ensures that search engines will always have the latest updates about your site.

This plugin submits URLs to a generic endpoint and these URLs are shared with all participating search engines. Some handy features included in the plugin are the ability to toggle the automatic submission feature, manually submit a URL to IndexNow, view a list of recent URL submissions, retry any failed submissions, download recent URL submissions for analysis, and check the status of recent successful and failed submissions.

You can also view IndexNow insights and more in Bing Webmaster tools. This plugin was developed with love and coffee by the Bing Webmaster team.

Comparing to Alternatives

IndexNow Plugin is a tool designed for URL submission to search engines, with a few direct alternatives available that offer similar functionalities.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Automates URL submissions efficiently.
Simple and low maintenance.
No recorded security vulnerabilities.
Works as expected according to many users.
Developed by Microsoft, ensuring some level of reliability.

Weaknesses

Lack of active support and updates.
Submits URLs with noindex directives, which can be problematic.
Some users report zero submissions despite usage.
Dashboard performance issues due to script reloading.

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin has a mixed reception with a 3.2 out of 5 rating. While over half of users rate it highly, a significant portion express dissatisfaction, particularly regarding functionality and support.

Positive highlights

'This plugin does everything it says it does, and I love the efficiency of how it auto-posts URLs.' - tradesouthwest
'Plugin works. Does what it says and haven't had any issues whatsoever.' - dadsfam
'Using it on all my Sites now <3.' - espmahmoud
'It just works. Low maintenance.' - Team Khumbaya
'It works as expected.' - DimaW

Common complaints

Plugin appears to not submit URLs as expected (0 submissions reported).
No support or response from developers or Bing webmaster support.
Plugin submits URLs even if they have noindex directives.

Weaknesses

Abandoned plugin with no active support.
Potential inefficiency or failure in URL submission process.
Submits URLs that should not be indexed, risking SEO issues.
Causes dashboard slowdown due to script reloading.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users looking for a straightforward, automated URL submission plugin with minimal maintenance and no security concerns.

Not ideal for

Those who require active support, frequent updates, or need precise control over which URLs are submitted for indexing.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers automated URL submissions to search engines with basic functionality and no cost.

Final Verdict

IndexNow Plugin provides a simple and efficient solution for automated URL submissions with no known security vulnerabilities. It is favored by users who appreciate its ease of use and reliability in performing its core function.

However, the lack of support, issues with submitting URLs that should not be indexed, and reports of non-functionality by some users limit its appeal. Alternatives may offer better support and features for those needing more control and assurance.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free IndexNow Plugin plugin.

automated submission

URL submission

search engines

FAQ

To generate a new API key, please de-activate and re-activate the plugin. It will automatically generate a new key and host on your site. API key is unique for a website and hence should not be changed too frequently as best practices.