SEO Basics: How to Submit URLs & Content to Google

Did you know there are more than one billion websites on the world wide web?

Along with those that already exist, many more types of content are pushed live every day of the week.

Users’ devices and search context are moving beyond the desktop into the world of IoT (Internet of Things), a network of mobile devices, vehicles, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity which enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

In order to maintain their market share in search results, Google Search is also progressing by delivering results that support users beyond the desktop: from making a dinner reservation, to calling a business’s customer service number, to selecting the perfect recipe while shopping at the store.

What content do you have?

We typically think of Google as a search engine for websites. But its algorithm is used to find and sort relevant information from a variety of content sources like, apps, videos, podcasts, maps, and local information, just to name a few.

Do you have new content that you want Google to know about? Here are a few ways to manually submit your site to search engines.

Submit your website or app

• Add your URL – Submit your website for inclusion in Google’s index. Go here for tips on indexing your website.
• App crawling – Get your app indexed by Google.
• Search Console – Submit a Sitemap of your website to Google.
• Structured data – Label your structured content to help users find pages relevant to their search.

Submit your business

• Google for Retail – Promote your products on Google Shopping, Google Offers, and other properties; submit your product catalogs digitally to Google Search.
• Google My Business – Get your business on Google Maps.
• Business View – Invite customers on a virtual tour of your business.

Submit your digital content

• Google Books and eBooks – Promote your books online and sell your titles through our eBook store.
• Google News – Share timely reporting on matters that are important or interesting to our audience.
• Scholar – Include scholarly works in Google’s academic index.
• Google Play Newsstand – Publish your content in Google’s app for fresh, beautiful news and magazine editions.
• Google Play Podcasts – Publish your podcasts on Google Play Music.

Submit local information

• Base Map Partner Program – Simplify navigation of your community by improving and enriching our base map.
• Google Indoor Maps – Upload floor plans or blueprints of your business to Google Maps.
• Imagery Partner Program – Offer users a sharper aerial view of your community’s landscape and built environment.
• Local Enhanced Content – If you’re an aggregator of local content, publish it through Google.
• Photo Sphere – Photograph and share the world with 360° pictures.
• Street View – Provide a panoramic virtual tour of your property.
• Transit Partner Program – Encourage use of public transit by making it easy to locate routes, schedules and fares.

Submit media

• Video Search – Publish and syndicate online video content to make it searchable on Google.
• YouTube – Upload, distribute, and monetize your videos.

Submit Your Site to Other Search Engines

A lot of people are familiar with and have considered being found in Google search results. But, not as many have thought about other search enginesthat can deliver visitors.

Submit Site to Bing

Microsoft’s search engine, known as Bing, has the best chance of closing the gap on the industry leading Google. While Microsoft and its Bing search engine have a long way to go, the company has made a number of moves in an attempt to make up ground so it pays to get indexed with them as well.

Submit URL to Bing
You can submit the URL of your site to Bing and sign up for Bing Webmaster Tools to learn if your site has been indexed and is getting traffic from Bing already.

After you login to Webmaster Tools you can quickly submit your homepage URL. Also be prepared to have the .XML of your site ready as well. After submission you will have to verify ownership of your site by embedding an HTML tag into the header of your website. This is easy to accomplish by using a plugin like Yoast. Once its verified you are good to go!

Submit Site to Yahoo!

Since 2010, Yahoo search has been powered by Microsoft’s Bing search engine. After you follow the instructions above for Bing, your site will begin to appear in Yahoo! as well.