Not always. While a noindex tag tells Google not to include a page in its search results, it’s not a guarantee the content will stay hidden forever.
Here’s what actually happens—and when it works.
More DB Insights: How to Remove Google Search Results
What Is a Noindex Tag?
A noindex tag is a piece of code added to a webpage that signals to search engines, “don’t index this page.” When Google sees it, the page is supposed to be removed from search results during the next crawl.
It looks something like this:
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
This is different from deleting the page. The content still exists. It’s just hidden from Google’s search index.
When Noindex Works
If the tag is added correctly and stays in place, Google will usually remove the page from search results within a few days to a few weeks.
It’s commonly used when:
- A site owner agrees to hide a damaging article or post
- A company wants to take down outdated content
- A legal or privacy request doesn’t meet Google’s standards but the site owner is cooperative
When It Doesn’t Work
A noindex tag only works if the page is still being crawled by Google. If the page blocks bots (with a robots.txt file), Google might not see the tag at all. And if the site owner removes the noindex tag later, the content could come right back into the index.
Other issues:
- If the page has strong backlinks, Google might keep showing a cached or outdated version
- Sometimes the tag is implemented incorrectly and Google ignores it
- Some search engines handle it differently
So Is It Permanent?
Not by itself.
Noindex is a temporary fix unless it’s backed by clear site policies or a long-term agreement with the publisher. The moment the tag is removed or changed, the page can return to search results.
What You Can Do
If you’re trying to use a noindex tag to bury something harmful, it helps to:
- Monitor the page regularly to ensure the tag is still active
- Request removal through Google’s Outdated Content Tool if the page stays deindexed
- Follow up with the site owner if it resurfaces
- Use suppression tactics alongside deindexing to keep the page buried
Get Help from ReputationDB
At ReputationDB, we work with publishers to add noindex tags, remove content directly, or suppress unwanted results that can’t be taken down. We also monitor your case long-term so you’re not surprised later.
If you need help making sure something stays out of Google for good, get in touch for a free consultation. We’ll help you figure out the right strategy—noindex and beyond.
