Why aren't my Content Syndication placements indexed?

This is expected and isn't a sign that anything has gone wrong. Content Syndication placements use a rel=canonical tag (or credit link) pointing back to the original source, which tells search engines not to index the syndicated copies individually.

Why this happens

When your content is syndicated, each placement includes a rel=canonical tag or credit link that points back to the original post. This signals to search engines that the syndicated version is a duplicate, and that all of the SEO value should be passed to the original source rather than the new page. As a result, Google doesn't tend to index the syndicated pages themselves. Instead, it recognises the original source and credits it accordingly.

Why this is a good thing

Rather than being wasted, the value from each syndicated placement flows back to boost the original post. This strengthens the overall profile and authority of that content, which in turn increases the value of any links within it, including the link back to your own site. So even though the syndicated placements may not appear indexed, they're still doing their job.

What about duplicate content and toxicity scores?

Duplicate content is a natural part of how syndication works, since syndicating content means distributing the same piece across multiple domains. The rel=canonical tag exists specifically to give the original source the value, with no negative impact from duplication. If you see syndicated links flagged as "toxic" in third-party SEO tools, these scores are generic and not something to worry about, syndicated content is a normal and well-established way of distributing content, much like press releases.

If you have any questions about a specific placement, get in touch and we'll be happy to take a look.

Still have questions? Chat with our support team or email support@fatjoe.com.