Pre-launch & migration checks
The riskiest moments for search traffic are launches and moves. These tools check a new site before it goes live, map old URLs to new ones, find pages cut off from your navigation and tell search engines about changes at once.
What's included
- Pre-launch audit: noindex, robots.txt, canonicals, HTTPS, links and redirects
- Migration check: missing, new and changed URLs with a suggested redirect map
- Orphan pages and IndexNow submission after each crawl
The pre-launch audit is a go-live checklist for a staging or new site, catching the classic disaster of a new site still telling Google not to index it. The migration check compares an old crawl with the new site and lists missing, new and changed URLs, likely redirect targets and broken old links, exportable as CSV.
Orphan pages compares your crawl with your sitemap, Search Console and Analytics to find pages that search engines or visitors know about but your own links do not reach. IndexNow then lets you tell Bing, Yandex and other participating search engines straight away about pages that were added, changed or removed.
How it works
Crawl the old site before you switch, crawl the new one, and run the comparison. Suggested redirect targets are based on similar URLs and titles, and are there to speed up your review rather than replace it. IndexNow works out which pages changed after each crawl and submits them in one click once you have uploaded your key file.
Why it matters
- Protect rankings — every old page with traffic or links needs a redirect to its closest new equivalent.
- Launch with confidence — one pass-or-fail list for the whole team.
- Faster discovery — time-sensitive changes reach IndexNow search engines quickly.
What it does not do
A password-protected staging site cannot be audited, because the crawler cannot log in. Suggested redirects must be checked before going live. Google does not use IndexNow, so keep your sitemap up to date and use Search Console for urgent pages there.
Works with the rest of the platform
Redirect lists can be turned into server rules with the developer tools, and everything builds on the full-site crawler.
Frequently asked questions
Can I audit a password-protected staging site?
No. The crawler cannot log in. Allow access by IP or remove the password while you crawl.
Are the suggested redirect targets always right?
They are suggestions based on similar URLs and titles. Check each one before going live.
Is IndexNow free?
Yes. It does not use any of your plan allowances.
Is a page missing from one source definitely an orphan?
Not always. Data sources cover different periods, so treat results as candidates to check.