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You don't need to manually submit your site to search engines. Google, Bing, and other modern search engines automatically discover and index websites through links and crawling. However, you can speed up the process and improve your indexing by submitting a sitemap through each engine's webmaster tools.
You Don't Need to Submit Manually
Modern search engines crawl the web automatically. But you can speed up indexing:
- ✓ Google Search Console - submit your sitemap (free)
- ✓ Bing Webmaster Tools - submit your sitemap (free)
- ✓ Both tools also give you search performance data and error reports
01. Search Engines Find You Automatically
Google and Bing constantly crawl the web, following links from one site to another. Once any other website links to yours, or once you submit your sitemap, search engine bots will find and index your pages. You do not need to fill out submission forms or pay for submission services.
Do not pay for "search engine submission" services. These are scams or outdated services that add no value. Google and Bing are free to submit to directly.
02. Speed Up Indexing With Webmaster Tools
Google Search Console (Recommended)
- Go to search.google.com/search-console
- Add your website (domain or URL prefix property)
- Verify ownership - Google offers several methods (DNS record, HTML file, HTML tag, Google Analytics). DNS is the most reliable
- Submit your sitemap - go to Sitemaps, enter your sitemap URL
Bing Webmaster Tools
- Go to bing.com/webmasters
- Add your site and verify ownership
- Submit your sitemap
Bing also powers Yahoo search results, so submitting to Bing covers both.
03. Creating a Sitemap
A sitemap is an XML file that lists all the pages on your site. Search engines use it to discover and index your content more efficiently.
- WordPress - generates a sitemap automatically at
yourdomain.com/wp-sitemap.xml. Yoast SEO and Rank Math create more comprehensive sitemaps - Other CMS - most modern CMS platforms include sitemap generation. Check your CMS settings
- Static sites - use an online sitemap generator tool, or create one manually
Add a reference to your sitemap in robots.txt:
Sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml04. Basic SEO Checklist
Getting indexed is step one. Ranking well requires ongoing SEO work:
- Use HTTPS - Google prioritizes secure sites. Your Ultra account includes free SSL. See our SSL guide
- Make your site fast - page speed affects rankings. See our Website Speed Guide
- Mobile-friendly design - Google uses mobile-first indexing
- Quality content - unique, useful content ranks better than thin or duplicate pages
- Set up Google Search Console - monitor indexing status, fix errors, track search performance
Need Help With SEO?
We can help with technical SEO issues (site speed, SSL, server configuration). For content and keyword strategy, consider working with an SEO specialist.
Open a Support TicketLast updated March 2026 · Browse all SEO articles
