“Hostload Exceeded” Explained By Google

Recently, users of Google’s Search Console ran into an unusual issue in which their websites weren’t being indexed, accompanied by the mysterious error message “Failure: hostload exceeded.” Many website owners were quick to blame the problem on their web hosting providers before learning otherwise. The truth about the “hostload exceeded” problem was revealed by Google’s John Mueller. Let’s get into the specifics and find out what went down.

The Problem Doesn’t Reside With Your Web Host

The “Failed: Hostload exceeded” issue with Namecheap hosting was brought up in numerous online communities, including the closed Affiliate SEO Mastermind Facebook group. Another user on the WordPress/Bloggers Facebook Group said they had a similar experience with DRWebhost, an Indian web hosting company. Several users have expressed frustration on social media platforms like X (previously Twitter) that Hostinger-hosted sites are unable to submit an indexing request.

Hostinger opened an incident report to admit the issue, saying that they had seen a rise in Google Console indexing failures. Users were reassured that a solution was being developed. The issue persisted for many users even after Hostinger marked it as resolved the day after it first occurred. It became apparent that the issue was not limited to a specific server.

The issue was not caused by web host bandwidth or crawling issues, as has been suggested as a possible workaround. The problem was not on any of the users’ end, as confirmed by them all. As a result of this discovery, researchers delved deeper to learn what was triggering the system-wide indexing issue.

A Flood of Indexing Failure Reports

There was a spike in calls to Google’s support line as users tried to figure out how to fix the “hostload exceeded” error. Nearly forty people have asked for help on Google’s support portal using the term “hostload exceeded” in the last week.

A large amount of complaints in this area suggested a widespread issue preventing users from correctly indexing their websites. To solve the problem, it was necessary to get to the bottom of what was causing it.

John Mueller’s Clarifications

When pressed for clarification, Mueller retweeted a post from another user that implied the issue was limited to low-quality sites. This response suggested that the excessive submission of URLs was at the root of the “hostload exceeded” problem.

The response from Mueller prompted more calls for openness. SEO expert Ammon Johns tweeted that more information was needed, arguing that if the issue wasn’t serious enough to warrant concern, it shouldn’t be too confidential to explain. Mueller replied that the “Inspect URL / Submit to Indexing” tool was being abused by spammers but that regular indexing should continue as usual.

Another user reported that their site was not naturally indexed after the core update, suggesting that poor index quality was to blame. Although Mueller didn’t specifically raise quality as an issue, this user’s report of delayed indexing and the “hostload exceeded” error may indicate a connection between the two.

Concluding Remarks

Many website owners were perplexed by the “hostload exceeded” indexing error in Google Search Console. John Mueller of Google shed light on the situation, showing that it wasn’t as dire as first thought. Possible causes for the blunder include a flood of URL submissions or a problem with the quality of the submissions themselves.

Avoid spamming the “Inspect URL / Submit to Indexing” tool at all costs to avoid the “hostload exceeded” error. You should instead rely on Google’s natural crawling and indexing processes to guarantee the quality of your indexed pages. Reviewing your website’s content and sticking to Google’s guidelines can help you keep its quality high if you’ve noticed any drops in traffic.

Google frequently makes changes to its indexing and related policies, so it’s important to keep up with the latest developments in this area. In order for the pages of your website to be properly indexed, appear in search results, and ultimately reach your intended audience, you need to keep up with the latest developments and best practices in the field.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is the “hostload exceeded” issue in Google Search Console?

A1: The “hostload exceeded” issue is an error message that some users encountered in Google Search Console when trying to index their websites.

Q2: Were web hosting providers initially blamed for this issue?

A2: Yes, many website owners initially pointed fingers at their web hosting providers, assuming they were responsible for the problem.

Q3: Which web hosting providers were affected by this issue?

A3: Users of hosting services like Namecheap, DRWebhost, and Hostinger reported encountering the “hostload exceeded” issue.

Q4: Did Hostinger acknowledge the issue?

A4: Yes, Hostinger acknowledged the problem and opened an incident report, assuring users that a solution was in development.

Q5: Was the issue limited to specific servers or web hosts?

A5: No, it became clear that the problem was not limited to a specific server or web hosting provider.

Q6: What was the root cause of the “hostload exceeded” issue?

A6: The issue was caused by excessive URL submissions to Google’s “Inspect URL / Submit to Indexing” tool, rather than web host bandwidth or crawling issues.

Q7: How did Google respond to user complaints about the issue?

A7: John Mueller of Google provided clarifications on the issue and indicated that it might be linked to low-quality sites and an overload of URL submissions.

Q8: What should website owners do to avoid the “hostload exceeded” error?

A8: Website owners should avoid spamming the “Inspect URL / Submit to Indexing” tool and rely on Google’s natural crawling and indexing processes. Reviewing website content and following Google’s guidelines can help maintain indexing quality.

Q9: Are there any recommended best practices for website owners to ensure proper indexing?

A9: Yes, staying updated with Google’s indexing policies and best practices is crucial. Website owners should adhere to these guidelines to ensure their pages are indexed correctly and appear in search results.

Q10: How frequently does Google update its indexing and related policies?

A10: Google frequently updates its indexing policies, so website owners should stay informed about the latest developments and best practices to ensure their pages reach their intended audience.

Featured Image Credit: Lucia Macedo; Unsplash – Thank you!