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

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: April 2, 2025

Apr 2, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: We Don't Have A Brand-Ranking System But...

Apr 2, 2025 - 7:51 am
Bing Search

Microsoft Bing Copilot Search Now Live

Apr 2, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google

Google Search Tests Indent Vertical Bars By Title & Descriptions

Apr 2, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

Google Local Questions & Answers Feature Gone?

Apr 2, 2025 - 7:21 am
Bing Ads

Microsoft Advertising Updates For Shopping Campaigns, Audience Ads, PMax & More

Apr 2, 2025 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Does Google Update Their AdSense Algorithm?