> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.agentfire.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.agentfire.com/faqs-and-general/idx/idx-limitations-with-seo-indexing.md).
# Why Google Doesn't Index Most IDX Listing Pages
Why Google indexes only some of your IDX listing pages, why that's normal, and what actually helps your website show up in search.
If you look in Google Search Console, you'll probably see thousands of your listing pages marked **not indexed**. That's normal for every real estate website with an IDX, and it doesn't mean your website is broken.
## Why it happens
**The same listing is on thousands of websites.** Every agent website with your MLS's IDX shows the same photos and description for each home. When Google finds the same content in many places, it picks one version to show in search and skips the rest. See Google's [guide to duplicate pages](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/consolidate-duplicate-urls).
**The listing text can't be changed.** MLS rules say IDX listings have to show the MLS data as it is, so you can't make your copy of a listing different from everyone else's.
**Listings come and go.** When a home sells or comes off the market, its page goes away. Google then drops it from search. A page that no longer exists isn't an error with your website.
Your listing pages still matter: they're how visitors browse homes and become leads. They're just not the pages that usually bring you visitors from Google.
## What helps your website show up in search
* **Pages only you have**, like area pages, blog posts and market updates written about your area.
* **Your own listings in Listings Hub.** A Listings Hub page is yours, so you can write your own description and add your own photos and video. See [How to Create a Listing Page in Listings Hub](/site-tools/listings-hub-formerly-my-listings/listings-hub-creating-new-page.md).
* **Search Console set up**, so you can see how Google finds your website. See [How to Set Up Google Search Console](/launch/google-services/articles-1504905-01-setting-up-google-search-console.md).
## Common Questions
Search Console says thousands of pages aren't indexed. Is that hurting my website?
No. Most of them are listing pages that Google chose not to index because the same listing is on other websites. Look at your own pages instead, like your home page, area pages and blog posts. Those are the ones that should be indexed.
Search Console shows lots of 404 errors for old listings. Should I redirect them?
No. Those are listings that sold or came off the market, and Google drops them over time. You don't need to redirect them or fix them.
Search Console shows server errors (5xx) on my website.
Those aren't normal. Email with a few of the page addresses and we'll check them.
Can I stop Google from indexing my IDX listings?
Email and we'll look at it for your website.
Why doesn't my own listing show up when I search its address on Google?
Google usually shows the big listing websites and the listing brokerage's page for an address. To give your listing its own page, add it in Listings Hub with your own description.
Will submitting a sitemap get my listings indexed?
A sitemap helps Google find your pages, but it doesn't make Google index them. Google decides what to index. See Google's [sitemaps overview](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/sitemaps/overview).