The idea of using noindex in robots txt is one of the most misunderstood concepts in technical SEO. For years, SEO professionals attempted to block pages from Google search results by adding noindex directives directly inside the robots.txt file.
But here’s the truth: Google no longer supports noindex in robots.txt.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly why, what to use instead, how noindex vs robots txt actually works, and the safest way to control indexing without harming your SEO performance.
What Is NOINDEX in Robots.txt?
NOINDEX is a directive that tells search engines not to show a page in search results.
Historically, some SEOs attempted to use rules like this:
User-agent: *
Noindex: /private-page/
This was referred to as a noindex tag in robots.txt.
However, Google officially deprecated this usage, meaning Googlebot ignores noindex in robots txt today.
Why Google Doesn’t Support NOINDEX in Robots.txt Anymore
Google discontinued support for noindex in robots txt because:
- Robots.txt controls crawling, not indexing
- Google cannot see a noindex directive on a page it cannot crawl
- Blocking access prevents Google from verifying page signals
- It caused confusion and unpredictable indexing behavior
👉 Google officially recommends using meta robots tags or HTTP headers for noindexing instead.
How to Add NOINDEX in Robots.txt (Reality Check)
❌ You cannot properly add noindex in robots.txt anymore
Any guide claiming you can safely use:
Noindex: /page/
is outdated.
Even if you add it, Googlebot will ignore it.
So when people ask “how to add noindex in robots txt”, the correct answer is:
👉 You don’t. Use proper noindex methods instead.
NOINDEX vs Robots.txt: What’s the Difference?
Understanding noindex vs robots txt is crucial for SEO.
| Feature | NOINDEX | Robots.txt |
| Controls indexing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Controls crawling | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Supported by Google | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Prevents URL from appearing | ✅ Yes | ❌ Sometimes |
| Can remove indexed pages | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Key rule:
If you block crawling via robots.txt, Google may still index the URL without content.
NOINDEX NOFOLLOW in Robots.txt: Is It Possible?
Short answer: No.
- nofollow is also not supported in robots.txt
- Google ignores nofollow directives there
- noindex nofollow in robots txt does not work
Correct usage is:
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex, nofollow”>
This must be placed inside the page’s <head> section.
NOINDEX Tag in Robots.txt vs Meta Robots Tag
❌ Robots.txt (Incorrect)
User-agent: *
Noindex: /thank-you/
✅ Meta Robots Tag (Correct)
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>
✅ HTTP Header Alternative
X-Robots-Tag: noindex
These are Google-supported indexing controls.
Correct Ways to NOINDEX Pages (Best Practices)
1. Using Meta Robots NOINDEX
Best for HTML pages.
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex”>
Use when:
- You want Google to crawl but not index
- Page has internal links you want Google to follow
2. Using HTTP X-Robots-Tag
Best for PDFs, images, or non-HTML files.
X-Robots-Tag: noindex
Works for:
- PDFs
- DOC files
- Images
- Video files
3. Blocking Crawling with Robots.txt
Use when:
- You want to save crawl budget
- Page should never be accessed by bots
Example:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /admin/
⚠️ This does not guarantee de-indexing.
Common SEO Mistakes with NOINDEX in Robots.txt
❌ Blocking pages with robots.txt while expecting de-indexing
❌ Using noindex in robots txt and assuming it works
❌ Blocking crawlers before adding noindex meta tags
❌ Removing noindex before page is fully crawled
❌ Mixing noindex and disallow incorrectly
When to Use NOINDEX vs Robots.txt
Use NOINDEX when:
- Page should not rank
- Page is accessible to users
- Page has internal links
Use Robots.txt when:
- Page should not be crawled
- Page is admin/system-based
- You want to conserve crawl budget
FAQs: NOINDEX in Robots.txt
1. Does noindex in robots txt still work?
No. Google officially ignores noindex directives in robots.txt.
2. What is better: noindex vs robots txt?
Use noindex to prevent indexing and robots.txt to prevent crawling. They serve different purposes.
3. Can I use noindex nofollow in robots txt?
No. Google does not support noindex or nofollow directives in robots.txt.
4. How to add noindex in robots txt safely?
You shouldn’t. Use meta robots tags or X-Robots-Tag headers instead.
Also Read: