No-Index in Letterman: When to Use It (and When Not To)

No-index is a simple switch. It tells search engines not to list a page. You still use the page for readers. You just don’t ask Google to show it.

 

This keeps your public archive clean and focuses attention on your best, evergreen pieces.

 

Good use cases

 

Short promos: A 48-hour deal or pop-up event. Useful now, noisy later. Hide it from search so it doesn’t clutter results after it ends.

 

System pages: Thank-you pages, email confirmation pages, simple redirects. These help readers but don’t deserve a search result.

 

Duplicates and drafts: Testing two layouts for the same story? Keep one public. Hide the other so you don’t split attention.

 

Internal experiments: Early stubs, sandbox pages, or QA checks. Keep them out of Google until they’re ready.

 

When not to use it

 

Don’t hide solid articles that serve the public. If a good piece isn’t indexing, fix the basics first: short, clear slug; internal links from your preset URLs (like /latest and /archives); and a clear headline with simple sectioning.

 

No-index is for clutter control, not a shortcut when a page needs better structure.

 

Local angle that helps

 

If the story is local, include the city or neighborhood in the slug when it fits.

 

Link that story from your home, /latest, and related article pages.

 

Clear, consistent linking helps readers and makes it easier for search to understand how your site fits your town.

 

Simple publish checklist

 

• Is the page for the public or just for subscribers/ops?
• If it’s temporary or thin, set no-index. If it’s evergreen, leave it open.
• Slug is short and readable; local where it fits.
• Linked from your main hubs (home, /latest, /archives).

 

Changing your mind later

 

If you improve a page and want it public: remove no-index, make sure it’s linked from your hubs, and give it time. As you publish more, those clear links and steady structure help the right pages show up first.

 

Bottom line: Use no-index to keep noise out of search and focus attention on your best work. Let strong, helpful articles stay public so they can be found, shared, and trusted.