Blogger Custom Domain Added but Google Still Showing Blogspot URL: Real Fix for Beginners (2026 Complete Guide)

Introduction: The Real Problem Beginners Face

You added a custom domain to your Blogger website, such as:

https://yourdomain.com

But when you search your site on Google, you still see:

• yourblog.blogspot.com

• or sometimes both URLs indexed

This situation confuses many beginners and can feel scary—especially if you’re preparing to apply for Google AdSense.

Here’s the truth:
👉 This issue is very common
👉 It does not mean your site is broken
👉 And it can be fixed safely without risking SEO or AdSense

In this 2026 guide, you’ll understand:

• Why Google still shows the Blogspot URL

• What Google is actually detecting

• The correct, Google-safe solution for beginners

What This Issue Actually Means

If Google still shows your Blogspot URL, it does not mean:

❌ Your custom domain failed
❌ Blogger SEO is broken

It usually means:

Google has not yet fully confirmed which URL version should be treated as the main one.

In simple terms:

• Canonical signals are still settling

• Redirect signals are still being processed

• Google is verifying consistency

This is a signal clarity issue, not a penalty.

Common Situations Where This Happens

This issue usually appears when:

• The custom domain was added recently

• The website is new (0–3 months old)

• Blogspot URLs were indexed earlier

• Sitemap was not updated properly

• Old Search Console properties are still active

All of these are normal beginner scenarios.

A Critical Mistake Beginners Must Avoid

Many beginners panic and do things like:

❌ Blocking Blogspot URLs in robots.txt
❌ Adding random canonical tags to the theme
❌ Forcing URL removals in Search Console

These actions can:

• Deindex pages

• Kill organic traffic

• Create AdSense risk

We’ll follow only Google-safe methods.

Step 1: Confirm the Custom Domain Setup in Blogger

Go to:

Blogger Dashboard → Settings → Publishing

Make sure:

• Your custom domain is correctly shown

• HTTPS is ON

• Redirect domain is ON

If redirect is OFF:

• Google keeps seeing Blogspot URLs

• Your custom domain signal stays weak

This single setting solves many cases.

Step 2: Understand Blogger’s Automatic Redirect System

Blogger automatically applies:

• 301 redirects from Blogspot to your custom domain

However:

• Google does not trust redirects instantly

• Especially on new or low-authority sites

So for some time:

• Blogspot URLs may still appear in search

This is temporary behavior, not an error.

Why Google Still Prefers the Blogspot URL

Google may prefer the Blogspot URL if:

• It was indexed before the custom domain

• External links still point to Blogspot

• Old sitemaps are present

• Search Console setup is incomplete

Google always follows the strongest and clearest signal.

In some cases, this issue is also connected with security signals. If your custom domain is working but certain pages still load without HTTPS or show browser warnings, Google may hesitate to fully prioritize your custom domain. You should also make sure that your site does not display “Not Secure” warnings after switching to a custom domain, as this can affect trust signals.

👉 Read this guide: Blogger Custom Domain Working but Pages Showing as “Not Secure” on google.

Step 3: Correct Google Search Console Setup (Very Important)

Many beginners make mistakes here.

Best practice:

1. Do not rush to delete the Blogspot property

2. Add your custom domain as a Domain Property

3. Submit only the custom domain sitemap

This tells Google:

“This is the primary version of the site.”

Step 4: Update the Sitemap Properly

After adding a custom domain:

• Old Blogspot sitemaps become outdated

• Google may continue crawling old URLs

Always submit:

https://yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml

And keep only this sitemap active.

This gives Google a strong consolidation signal.

Step 5: Why You Should NOT Force Deindex Blogspot URLs

Some guides recommend:

• Removing Blogspot URLs manually

• Blocking them via robots.txt

This can:

• Delay ranking recovery

• Reduce crawl trust

• Confuse Google further

The safest approach:

• Let Google drop Blogspot URLs naturally

• Strengthen canonical + redirect signals

In 2026, Google prefers natural resolution.

How Long Does Google Take to Update?

Typical timelines:

• Brand-new site: 2–6 weeks

• Small site with some content: 1–3 weeks

• Older site with authority: a few days

If:

• Content is helpful

• Sitemap is correct

• No technical errors exist

Google will eventually show only the custom domain.

Is This a Risk for Google AdSense?

Short answer: No, if handled correctly.

AdSense problems happen when:

• Duplicate content is clearly visible

• Same pages load on multiple URLs

• User experience feels confusing

If:

• Redirects are enabled

• Canonical signals are consistent

• Content is original

This situation is considered normal by AdSense.

When Should You Be Concerned?

You should investigate further if:

• More than 2–3 months pass

• Blogspot URLs remain primary

• Custom domain pages don’t index

That requires deeper technical checks
(which we’ll cover in future articles).

Final Thoughts for Beginners

If Google still shows your Blogspot URL:

✔ Don’t panic
✔ Don’t use shortcuts
✔ Follow Google-safe steps

This is a temporary and common issue.
With patience and correct setup, Google will recognize your custom domain as the main version.

Clear signals + time = stable rankings

Blogger “Page Removed Because of 404” in Google Search Console: What Beginners Should Really Do

Introduction

Seeing “Page removed because of 404” in Google Search Console can confuse and worry beginners using Blogger. Many think Google has punished their site or that rankings are lost forever. In reality, this status often appears due to normal Blogger actions. This article explains what it truly means, why it happens, and what beginners should and should not do.

What Does “Page Removed Because of 404” Mean?

This status means Google tried to visit a URL but received a 404 (Not Found) response. As a result, Google removed that URL from its index.

Important point:
Google removed only that URL, not your entire site.

Common Reasons This Happens on Blogger

Beginners often trigger this status by:

• Deleting a post or page

• Changing a post URL after publishing

• Switching from HTTP to HTTPS

• Changing custom domain settings

• Accidentally removing labels that affected URLs

These are normal actions, not SEO mistakes.

Is This Bad for SEO?

👉 No, if done intentionally

If you deleted the page on purpose, this status is completely normal and healthy.

It becomes a problem only if:

• The page was important

• The page had traffic or backlinks

• The removal was accidental

Should Beginners Restore the Page?

Restore the page only if:

• It was ranking on Google

• It had useful content

• It was deleted by mistake

If the page was thin, outdated, or unnecessary, leaving it removed is better for site quality.

Should You Redirect the URL?

Redirecting is recommended only when:

• You have a closely related replacement page

• The old content still has value

Do NOT redirect all 404 pages blindly — this creates confusion for Google.

Many beginners see the “Blocked by robots.txt” status along with other confusing indexing messages inside Google Search Console. If your Blogger posts are published but still not appearing on Google, understanding how Google decides which pages to crawl and index is extremely important. Most indexing issues are connected, and fixing one misunderstanding often helps resolve several others at the same time.

What Beginners Should Avoid

❌ Requesting indexing for deleted URLs
❌ Panicking and restoring low-quality content
❌ Creating fake pages just to remove errors
❌ Blocking 404 URLs in robots.txt

These actions often cause more harm than good.

Best Practice Going Forward

✔ Delete pages only when necessary
✔ Avoid changing URLs after publishing
✔ Keep content quality high
✔ Monitor Search Console calmly

404 removals are part of a healthy website lifecycle.

Final Thoughts

“Page removed because of 404” is not a penalty.
It is Google simply updating its index based on your site changes.

Beginners who understand this can avoid fear-driven SEO mistakes and build a stronger Blogger site over time

Blogger “Blocked by robots.txt” in Google Search Console: Why It Happens and How Beginners Can Fix It

Introduction

When beginners open Google Search Console and see “Blocked by robots.txt”, panic usually follows. Many think Blogger has a hidden technical problem or Google has stopped crawling their site. In reality, this status is very common on Blogger and often misunderstood. This guide explains what it really means, why it appears, and when beginners should take action.

What Does “Blocked by robots.txt” Mean?

This message means Google tried to crawl a URL but was told not to, according to rules in a robots.txt file.

Important clarification:
This does not always mean your content is bad or broken.

Why Blogger Shows This Status

Blogger automatically blocks certain URLs, such as:

• Search result pages

• Label feed URLs

• Internal system URLs

• Mobile parameters or preview URLs

Google sees these URLs but respects Blogger’s instructions and doesn’t crawl them.

Is This an Error or a Problem?

👉 In most cases: NO

If the blocked URL is:

• A label page

• A search page

• A feed or system URL

Then this status is completely normal and should be ignored.

When beginners see the “Page removed because of 404” status in Google Search Console, they often panic without understanding the real cause. Many indexing messages are connected, and some pages may also show different crawl or blocking statuses at the same time. Understanding how Google treats blocked, removed, and inaccessible pages helps new Blogger users avoid unnecessary fixes and focus on real SEO problems.

When Should Beginners Worry?

You should pay attention only if:

• A real blog post is blocked

• A main page or important article is affected

• Traffic pages are not appearing on Google

This usually happens if robots.txt was edited manually.

How Beginners Accidentally Cause This

Common beginner mistakes include:

• Editing custom robots.txt without understanding

• Copy-pasting robots rules from other sites

• Blocking /2026/ or /posts/ folders

• Blocking mobile URLs by mistake

One wrong line can block your entire content.

How to Fix It Safely

If you edited robots.txt:

1. Go to Blogger → Settings

2. Open Crawlers and indexing

3. Disable custom robots.txt

4. Save settings

5. Wait for Google to recrawl

For most beginners, default Blogger settings are best.

Should You Request Indexing?

• ✔ Yes, for real posts once unblocked

• ❌ No, for label or system URLs

Requesting indexing for blocked URLs does nothing.

Beginner Best Practices

✔ Do not touch robots.txt unless necessary
✔ Ignore blocked system URLs
✔ Focus on content quality
✔ Let Google handle crawling naturally

Less interference = better results.

Final Thoughts

“Blocked by robots.txt” on Blogger is usually informational, not an error.
Beginners who understand this avoid unnecessary fixes and keep their site healthy.

Blogger URLs with “?m=1” Indexed on Google: Is It a Problem and How Beginners Can Fix It

Introduction 

Many Blogger beginners get confused when they see their pages indexed on Google with “?m=1” at the end of the URL. Some panic and think their website has duplicate content issues or SEO damage. Others try to block it immediately without understanding what it actually means.

This guide explains what ?m=1 URLs are, whether they are harmful, and what beginners should do — and not do — about them.

What Does “?m=1” Mean on Blogger?

On Blogger, ?m=1 is automatically added when a page is viewed on mobile devices.

Example:

• Desktop URL:
  https://example.com/post-title.html

• Mobile URL:
  https://example.com/post-title.html?m=1

Both URLs show the same content, just optimized for different screens.

Why Google Indexes ?m=1 URLs

Google sometimes discovers the mobile version first, especially if:

• Your site is new

• Most visitors are on mobile

• Googlebot-Mobile crawls your site more often

This does NOT mean Google prefers the wrong version. It just means it found the page through mobile crawling.

When Google indexes ?m=1 URLs, it may consider them as separate pages from the main desktop version of your post. This can create indexing confusion, duplicate signals, and sometimes warning messages inside Google Search Console. Beginners often worry when they see these messages, even though the real problem is usually related to URL handling rather than missing or deleted content.

Are ?m=1 URLs Bad for SEO?

Short answer: No, if handled correctly.

Blogger already uses canonical tags, which tell Google:

“This mobile URL belongs to the main desktop URL.”

Because of this:

• Google usually treats both URLs as one page

• Rankings are not split

• No penalty is applied

When ?m=1 Can Become a Problem

Problems may occur if:

• Canonical tags are missing or broken

• Custom themes are poorly coded

• Pages are manually blocked incorrectly

In rare cases, Google may show:

• Duplicate without user-selected canonical

• Indexed but not preferred URL

What Beginners Should Do (Safe Method)

Leave Blogger’s Default Settings Alone

Blogger already manages mobile URLs properly.

Focus on Content Quality

Good content reduces indexing confusion automatically.

Check Canonical URL in Search Console

Use URL Inspection to confirm Google-selected canonical is correct.

Avoid Blocking ?m=1 in robots.txt

Blocking can confuse Google and slow indexing.

What Beginners Should NOT Do

• Do NOT block ?m=1 URLs aggressively

• Do NOT create redirects manually

• Do NOT panic when you see them indexed

• Do NOT change theme code without understanding it

Most beginner SEO mistakes come from over-fixing simple issues.

Final Thoughts

Seeing ?m=1 URLs indexed is normal on Blogger, especially for new websites.
In most cases, Google understands both versions correctly.

If your content is helpful and your theme is clean, Google will automatically choose the correct canonical URL over time.

The best fix is often: do nothing and keep publishing quality articles.

Blogger “Soft 404” Error in Google Search Console: What It Really Means and How Beginners Can Fix It

Introduction 

When beginners open Google Search Console and see a “Soft 404” error on their Blogger website, panic usually starts immediately. Many think Google has rejected their site or that their content is broken. In reality, a Soft 404 is not always a serious problem, but misunderstanding it can delay indexing and affect traffic.

This guide explains what Soft 404 actually means, why it appears on Blogger websites, and how beginners can fix it safely without harming SEO.

What Is a Soft 404 Error?

A Soft 404 happens when Google thinks a page looks like an error page even though it technically returns a “200 OK” status.

In simple words:
Google visits your page, but it believes the page has little or no real value, so it treats it like a missing page.

This is very common on new Blogger blogs.

Why Soft 404 Errors Appear on Blogger Websites

There is not just one reason. Most beginners face Soft 404 due to these common causes:

Thin or Short Content

If a post has very few words, Google may assume it does not satisfy user intent.

Auto-Generated Pages

Label pages, archive pages, or search result pages on Blogger can trigger Soft 404 warnings.

Empty Pages

Drafts published accidentally or pages with only one sentence often get flagged.

Deleted Posts Still Indexed

If you deleted an article but Google still remembers its URL, it may show Soft 404.

One common reason Soft 404 errors appear on Blogger is because Google sometimes indexes different versions of the same page. This usually happens due to mobile-specific URLs, parameter-based pages, or very thin pages that do not provide enough value. When Google detects alternate versions of the same URL, it may treat them as low-quality or unnecessary pages, which later appear as Soft 404 errors inside Google Search Console.

Is Soft 404 Dangerous for SEO?

No — not immediately.

Soft 404 does NOT mean:

• Your site is penalized

• Google rejected your blog

• AdSense is blocked

But if ignored for a long time, it can:

• Slow indexing

• Waste crawl budget

• Reduce trust signals

How Beginners Can Fix Soft 404 on Blogger

Improve Content Quality

Each article should clearly explain one problem and provide a real solution. Avoid one-paragraph posts.

Add Clear Purpose

Every page should answer one question clearly. Google must understand why the page exists.

Noindex Low-Value Pages

Label pages or search result pages do not need indexing. Keep focus on real articles.

Use Proper Redirects for Deleted Posts

If a post is deleted permanently, redirect it or let it return a real 404.

Be Patient with New Blogs

Sometimes Soft 404 appears temporarily on new posts and disappears automatically after Google re-crawls.

What Beginners Should NOT Do

• Do NOT delete good articles just because of Soft 404

• Do NOT request indexing repeatedly for the same URL

• Do NOT block important posts in robots.txt

• Do NOT panic

Google needs time to understand new content, especially on Blogger.

Final Thoughts

A Soft 404 error is a signal, not a punishment.
For beginners, it is often a reminder to improve content clarity and usefulness.

If your article genuinely helps users, Google will eventually recognize it — even if Soft 404 appears at first.

Focus on quality, clarity, and consistency, and the issue usually resolves itself.

Blogger Pages Showing “Duplicate Without User-Selected Canonical”: What It Means and How Beginners Can Fix It

Introduction 

When beginners open Google Search Console for the first time, one message causes instant panic:

“Duplicate without user-selected canonical.”

Most new Blogger users think this means:

• Their site is penalized

• Google dislikes Blogger

• Something is technically broken

None of this is true.

This issue is common on Blogger websites, especially new ones, and in most cases it is not dangerous. The problem is usually caused by how Blogger generates URLs and how Google interprets them.

This guide explains, in simple language, what this status really means, why it appears on Blogger sites, and what beginners should (and should not) do.

What “Duplicate Without User-Selected Canonical” Actually Means

Google found multiple URLs with the same or very similar content, but:

• You did not tell Google which URL is the main one

• Google chose one version on its own

That’s it.

It does not mean:

• Your content is copied

• You violated SEO rules

• Your site will be penalized

Google is simply asking:
“Which version should I index?”

Why This Happens on Blogger Websites

Blogger automatically creates different URL versions for the same page.

For example:

• With or without www

• Mobile (?m=1) and desktop versions

• HTTPS and HTTP redirects

• Label and archive URLs

Even though users see one page, Google may see multiple URLs pointing to the same content.

This confuses Google — not because of bad SEO, but because Blogger hides canonical control from beginners.

Is This a Serious SEO Problem?

For new Blogger websites, the answer is:

No.

Google often:

• Picks the correct canonical on its own

• Indexes the right version

• Ignores the rest

Many successful Blogger sites show this status and still rank normally.

The real problem starts only when:

• Too many duplicate URLs exist

• Internal linking is inconsistent

• Canonical signals conflict

Why Beginners Should NOT Panic

Most beginners make things worse by:

• Changing URLs repeatedly

• Copy-pasting random canonical code

• Blocking URLs in robots.txt

• Deleting posts

These actions confuse Google even more.

Remember:

Google already knows your page exists.
It is just deciding which version to keep.

Safe Fixes That Actually Work on Blogger

1. Use One Clean URL Everywhere

Always use:

• HTTPS version

• With www (or without — but be consistent)

Link the same version:

• In posts

• On homepage

• In menus

Consistency is more powerful than code.

2. Avoid Linking Mobile URLs

Never link pages like:

?m=1

Always link the normal desktop URL.

Blogger automatically serves mobile pages — you do not need to help it.

3. Improve Internal Linking

Internal links tell Google:

• Which pages matter

• Which URL version is preferred

Link from:

• Older posts to newer posts

• Homepage to important guides

This strengthens canonical signals naturally.

4. Wait Before Taking Action

For new blogs:

• Google may fix this automatically

• Status can disappear in weeks

Google trusts patience more than panic.

What You Should NOT Do (Very Important)

❌ Do not install random SEO templates
❌ Do not add canonical code you don’t understand
❌ Do not block duplicate URLs in robots.txt
❌ Do not request indexing repeatedly

These are advanced actions and often damage beginner sites.

Does This Affect Google AdSense?

No.

AdSense checks:

• Content quality

• Usefulness

• Policy compliance

Canonical warnings alone do not cause rejection.

Many AdSense-approved Blogger sites have this status.

Some pages may already be indexed correctly but still show messages like indexed, not submitted in sitemap in Google Search Console.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve?

Typical timelines:

• New site: 2–6 weeks

• Growing site: a few days to weeks

Google needs data, links, and signals before deciding.

Final Conclusion

“Duplicate without user-selected canonical” is not an error.
It is a decision-making phase by Google.

If you:

• Use clean URLs

• Avoid mobile links

• Build internal links

• Stay consistent

Google will choose the right version automatically.

For beginners, the best SEO strategy is clarity, patience, and consistency — not technical shortcuts.

Blogger Pages Showing “Indexed, Not Submitted in Sitemap”: Should Beginners Worry?

Introduction 

After publishing a few posts, many Blogger beginners open Google Search Console and see a confusing status:

“Indexed, not submitted in sitemap.”

This message makes beginners think:

• Something is wrong with their sitemap

• Google ignored their submission

• Their SEO setup is broken

In reality, this status is not a problem and often means something positive.

Let’s understand what Google really means and what beginners should do next. 

In some Blogger websites, this status may also appear together with other Search Console messages such as duplicate without user-selected canonical, which can confuse beginners even more

What Does “Indexed, Not Submitted in Sitemap” Mean?

This status means:

• Google found your page on its own

• Google indexed the page successfully

• The page was not discovered through your sitemap

That’s it.

Your page is already:

• Live on Google

• Eligible to appear in search results

So this is not an indexing error.

How Google Found the Page Without Sitemap

Google can discover pages through:

• Internal links

• Homepage links

• Menus and navigation

• External links (even small ones)

So even if:

• Your sitemap was submitted late

• Or had not updated yet

Google can still find and index pages naturally.

This is normal behavior, especially on Blogger.

Is This a Bad SEO Signal?

No.

In fact, it often shows:

• Your internal linking is working

• Google is actively crawling your site

Many well-ranked pages show:
Indexed, not submitted in sitemap

Google does not require sitemap discovery for indexing.

Why This Happens Frequently on Blogger

Blogger sitemaps:

• Update slowly

• Sometimes exclude recent posts temporarily

Also:

• New posts may get indexed before sitemap refresh

• Older posts may appear later in sitemap

This delay is common and harmless.

Should Beginners Resubmit Sitemap Again?

No.

Repeated sitemap submissions:

• Do not speed up indexing

• Do not fix this status

Google already has your sitemap.

Submitting again only wastes time.

What Beginners SHOULD Do Instead

1. Focus on Internal Linking

Link new posts:

• From older articles

• From important guides

This helps Google discover content faster than sitemaps.

2. Keep Publishing Consistently

Regular publishing tells Google:

• Site is active

• Content is growing

• Crawling budget should increase

Consistency beats manual actions.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Fixes

Do NOT:

• Block URLs

• Edit sitemap code

• Add random SEO scripts

These steps can cause real problems.

Does This Status Affect Google AdSense?

No.

AdSense reviewers care about:

• Content quality

• User experience

• Policy compliance

They do not check sitemap discovery paths.

Indexed pages are what matter.

How Long Before Sitemap Catches Up?

Usually:

• A few days

• Sometimes 1–2 weeks

Google refreshes sitemaps automatically.

Nothing is broken during this time.

Final Conclusion

“Indexed, not submitted in sitemap” is not an error.

It simply means:

Google found your page before your sitemap did.

For beginners, this is a sign that:

• Google trusts your site

• Crawling is active

• SEO is moving in the right direction

The best action is no action — just keep building helpful content.