What is IndexNow?
Updated By Akkrev
IndexNow is a protocol that lets a website tell search engines like Bing instantly when pages are added or changed, instead of waiting to be recrawled.
IndexNow is an open protocol that lets a website notify participating search engines, including Bing and others, the moment a page is added, updated or removed. The site proves ownership with a key file and sends a list of changed web addresses; the engines can then recrawl them quickly.
Why it matters for AI visibility
Microsoft Copilot draws on Bing’s index, and several other AI assistants use Bing-based search. Getting changes into Bing quickly means AI answers can reflect a hotel’s new rooms, prices, policies or offers sooner.
What it doesn’t do
IndexNow doesn’t guarantee indexing or ranking, and Google doesn’t use it; Google relies on sitemaps and Search Console. It’s a fast notification, not a shortcut to visibility.