In this article we will explain how to monitor root URLs.
What are root URLs?
A root URL is a page that hangs off the homepage of a website.
For example:
These types of pages are characterised by not being grouped in subdirectories.
How does Indexing Insight handle root URLs?
By default Indexing Insight does not inspect root URLs for websites.
This allows customers to have tighter control over which important pages can be monitored by our tool.
However, it is possible to enable monitoring of root URLs in our tool.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling root URLs for some websites can increase the time it takes us to monitor your total pages by 50%.
Learn more about optimal performance here.
How can you monitor root URLs?
Any website can monitor root URLs in 1 simple step.
Go to the Manage > Web Properties page and enable the homepage web property for that website.
That's it! Indexing Insight will map any downloaded root URLs to the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you monitor roots URLs for international subdomains?
Yes! You can monitor root URLs the web property. As long as you have a subdomain URL prefix property added in the Web Properties page for each international site.
How do you setup a website project that just has root URLs?
You just need to follow the same steps as setting up a normal project:
However, by default we do not enable monitoring root URLs for any websites. So, you will need to follow the steps above to enable monitoring of root URLs for your project.
How can I set up a root URLs project by using CSV upload?
Follow the normal steps of setting up a project, however, you will need to make 1 critical change.
In step 2 of the set up process, instead of selecting a 'real' sitemap you will need to create a 'fake' sitemap in the Sitemap Report in Google Search Console (e.g. /sitemap-test.xml).
Then select the 'fake' sitemap in the set up process.
When you have finished the set up process you will then need to upload the CSV file with your root URLs. And then select the URL prefix homepage web property.