Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rank Math, and sorry for any inconvenience caused.
It seems like the file is not created automatically on your website, please create a txt file in the root directory of your website.
The name of the file should be yourapikey.txt, and the content of the file should be your API key.
Please click on the Change Key button before creating the txt file.
Here is a screencast for your reference:
https://i.rankmath.com/OUWNtG
Hope that helps.
Thank you.
Thanks for the guide, that’s helpful.
One thing though…
I notice today that in the “history” section on the Instant Indexing section in RankMath a post I published yesterday is now showing up.
Does that mean in fact that it is working despite me not being able to view the API Key Location page?
Hello,
Once the post is submitted to IndexNow, the Response status is immediately shown in the history tab.
If you are seeing 200 or 202 responses in the history tab, it means that IndexNow is working fine.
If you are seeing 403 status in history, you need to add the API key file in the root directory by following the screencast in my previous reply.
Hope that helps.
Thank you.
Despite not seeing the file in the root directory I am indeed 202 responses in the history tab, so it’s working fine then?
Hello,
Yes, the 202 status code is an indication that the IndexNow API is working correctly and after the key is verified it will start returning a 200 status code on the URLs.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions.
How long should I expect to wait to see a 200 status code? It’s been over a week without any change from code: 202.
Hello,
The 202 code indicates that the URL was successfully submitted to the API so you don’t have to worry although we need to check if the API key is properly been added.
Please head over to the API settings and click on the “Check Key” button. After doing so, copy the URL path of the txt file and paste it here in the Sensitive Data section.
Looking forward to helping you on this one.
Hello,
I have updated the sensitive data as requested. Can you please check further?
Thank you.
Hello,
The API key is properly added.
Can you please clear the website cache and submit the URLs again with the IndexNow?
Let us know how it goes.
We are here to assist you.
I did that, and 5 days later all codes still showing as 202 codes.
Hello,
Unfortunately, there is no fixed/estimated time for this, you need to wait for the Google API to verify your key.
Just for testing, could you manually submit a URL, from Rank Math > Instant Indexing, and see what status is returned.
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you.
I already submitted a bunch of URLS manually over a week ago, 202 codes still.
Also, why would Google need to verify anything when Instant Indexing is a Bing tool?
Hello,
Sorry for the confusion.
You need to wait for Bing to verify the website with your API key.
If you are still seeing a 202 status, try changing the API key and see if that helps.
Looking forward to helping you.
And how long does it typically take for them to verify? I don’t want to go changing the API key and that just delays things further.
Hello,
There is no set time as to when the key gets verified and it’s entirely their prerogative when to do that.
If the results are returning a 202 status code it means they are accepted and there’s nothing else we can do to speed up the process.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions.
Hello,
Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.
If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.
Thank you.
