Free indexing is unavailable: why and what to do
A common situation: Search Console is connected, but the free submission button for indexing is inactive. The reason is almost always one of two, and both are easy to check.
First reason: a separate permission is not granted
Connecting Search Console and the right to submit pages for indexing are two different permissions from Google. The first allows reading statistics, the second allows access to the Indexing API. When first connecting, only read access is granted, so free submission remains unavailable until you confirm the second permission via the link in the interface.
Second reason: you are not the Owner of the resource
Google requires that the submitter be the Owner of the resource in Search Console, not a delegated user with read access. If you were granted "Full" or "Limited" access, submission will not go through: Google's response will be "owner rights not confirmed".
Checking is simple: Search Console → Settings → Users and permissions. Next to your account, it should say "Owner".
What to do in each case
| Situation | Solution |
|---|---|
| Indexing API permission not granted | Click the permission confirmation link in the indexing interface |
| You are not the Owner of the resource | Ask the owner to add you as an owner or confirm the site by their method |
| The site is not confirmed at all | Confirm the resource in Search Console — see connecting Search Console |
| None of this is possible | Use Turbo indexing: it is paid, but works for any site |
Limitations of the free channel
Even when everything is set up, free submission is limited by Google's daily quota. Therefore, a large list of pages does not go through all at once, but in batches over days — the interface shows both the remaining quota for today and the expected time. This is not an error or a "hang".
What distinguishes Turbo
Turbo is a paid channel, it does not require owner rights and is suitable for sites where Search Console is not available at all. Comparison of channels and prices — indexing pages of the site.