IndieWebTools

IndexNow Key Generator

Generate an IndexNow key, create your verification file, and build the submission URL needed to notify participating search engines when your website changes.

1. Generate Your IndexNow Key

IndexNow uses a key to verify that you control the website whose URLs you are submitting.

2. Host the Key File

Upload the generated text file to the root directory of your website.

For example:

https://example.com/YOUR-KEY.txt

Opening that address in a browser should display your IndexNow key as plain text.

Your IndexNow key is not a password or account credential. The verification file is intentionally publicly accessible so IndexNow can verify control of the host.

3. Create an IndexNow Submission

How to Set Up IndexNow

  1. Generate a key. Use the generator above to create a unique IndexNow key.
  2. Download the key file. The filename and file contents will use your generated key.
  3. Upload it to your website. Put the text file in the root of your site.
  4. Verify the file. Visit the key-file URL in your browser and make sure the key appears.
  5. Submit changed URLs. Notify IndexNow when pages are added, updated, or deleted.

What Is IndexNow?

IndexNow is an open protocol that allows websites to notify participating search engines when a URL has been added, changed, or deleted.

Instead of relying entirely on search-engine crawlers to discover a change on their own, a website can send an IndexNow notification when that change occurs.

This can help search engines discover website updates faster, but submitting a URL through IndexNow does not guarantee that the page will be crawled, indexed, or ranked.

IndexNow and Sitemaps Work Together

IndexNow does not replace your XML sitemap.

A sitemap gives search engines a structured list of the URLs available on your website. IndexNow provides a more immediate signal when individual URLs change.

For many independent websites, using both provides a simple combination: the sitemap describes the site's overall URL inventory while IndexNow announces recent changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does IndexNow guarantee indexing?

No. IndexNow tells participating search engines that a URL has changed. Search engines still decide whether and when to crawl or index the page.

When should I submit a URL?

Submit URLs when you publish a new page, make a meaningful update to an existing page, or remove a page.

Should I submit every page on my website?

IndexNow is primarily intended for URLs that have recently been added, updated, or deleted. It is not necessary to continually resubmit unchanged pages.

Does this tool store my IndexNow key?

No. This generator runs in your browser. IndieWebTools does not need to receive or store the generated key.