A meta tag that prevents Google from showing a cached version of a page.
Why a Noarchive Tag Matters
A noarchive tag is a powerful tool for controlling your website’s appearance in the search results. It matters because it is a direct way to influence your click-through rate (CTR). A website owner may not want a cached version of a page to be displayed for a variety of reasons, such as a time-sensitive offer or a page with sensitive information. By using it, you can ensure that a user who clicks on your listing is taken to the most current version of your page. This can lead to a lower bounce rate and a higher conversion rate. It is a key part of your technical SEO.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of a noarchive tag is a technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their tag by using a good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. These plugins provide a simple toggle for you to set a page to “noarchive” or “noindex.”
Shopify
On Shopify, it is essential for your product descriptions and blog posts. You can use the platform’s built-in SEO features to write a meta description that is relevant to a user’s search query and that entices a user to click.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still optimize for it. The platform’s built-in SEO tools make it easy to manage your titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated meta tag strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your noarchive tag’s performance and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use it will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often have a noarchive tag for a page with a time-sensitive offer or a product that is out of stock. This ensures that a user who clicks on your listing is taken to the most current version of your page.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can use it to prevent a search engine from displaying a cached version of a page with outdated information, such as a menu or a list of services.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use a noarchive tag to prevent a search engine from displaying a cached version of a page with outdated information, such as a pricing page or a features page.
Blogs
Blogs are a great way to capitalize on a noarchive tag. A blog that writes about a newsworthy topic can use a noarchive tag to ensure that a user who clicks on their listing is taken to the most current version of the article.
Dos and Don’ts
- Use noarchive for time-sensitive content: Include this directive for time-sensitive offers or out-of-stock products.
- Apply noarchive for sensitive information: Any page with sensitive details should have this directive.
- Stop caching outdated info with noarchive: This can negatively impact your click-through rate.
- Avoid noarchive for high-quality resources: Even high-quality pages can be demoted.
- Don’t mislead search engines with noarchive: This violates search engine guidelines.
- Don’t use noarchive for irrelevant pages: This can confuse users and hurt your click-through rate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to use a noarchive tag for a page with time-sensitive information: This is a common and often devastating mistake.
- Using a noarchive tag for a page that is a high-quality resource: A high-quality page can still be demoted.
- Ignoring the importance of a brand: The Knowledge Graph is a key part of your brand’s reputation.
FAQs
How does a noarchive tag affect my SEO?
A noarchive tag does not directly affect your rankings. Its primary impact is on your click-through rate (CTR). By controlling the snippet, you can ensure that your search result previews are both informative and enticing, encouraging users to click through to your site.
What is the difference between a noarchive tag and a noindex tag?
A noarchive tag tells a search engine not to display a cached version of a page. A noindex tag tells a search engine not to add a page to its index.
Is a noarchive tag a direct ranking factor?
No, a noarchive tag is not a direct ranking factor. Its primary role is to influence the appearance of your search snippet.
What is the difference between a noarchive tag and a meta description?
A meta description is a suggested summary for your page. A noarchive tag is a strict instruction that tells a search engine not to display a cached version of a page.
How can I test my noarchive tag?
You can test your noarchive tag by using the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It will show you a screenshot of how Google sees your page and a list of all the resources it failed to load.
