GitHub repository shows up as first result everywhere except Google – technical issue

Understanding Why Your GitHub Repository Isn’t Appearing on Google: A Technical Perspective

If you’ve recently launched a GitHub repository, such as DefinedMotion, and notice that it ranks prominently on search engines like Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo but remains elusive on Google, you’re not alone. This situation can be perplexing, especially when the repository is publicly accessible, contains no sensitive or restrictive content, and appears readily accessible on other platforms.

The Scenario

Consider a repository dedicated to programmatic animations, termed DefinedMotion, which has been active for around five months. Despite its visibility on multiple search engines, a targeted search on Google—for instance, searching for the exact URL in quotes—only yields a niche commit log site and no direct link to the repository itself.

Why Might This Happen?

Several factors can influence whether a GitHub repository appears on Google search results:

1. Indexing Delays:
   Google’s crawling and indexing process can sometimes be delayed, especially for repositories that are relatively new or have low external linking signals.

2. Technical Restrictions or Noindex Tags:
   Although unlikely with a standard GitHub repository, certain pages might inadvertently have ‘noindex’ directives, preventing Google from indexing them.

3. Crawling Restrictions on GitHub:
   GitHub has specific policies and security measures that can affect how and when repositories are indexed—particularly if repositories are private, contain large files, or are part of micro-communities.

4. Content or Metadata Issues:
   Sometimes, repositories with minimal descriptive metadata or sparse content may be less attractive for indexing.

5. Google’s Algorithmic Preferences:
   Google may prioritize certain domains or types of content, or it might deprioritize repositories in search results due to perceived relevance or authority.

What Can You Do?

If you want your DefinedMotion repository to be more visible on Google, consider the following steps:

• Ensure Public Visibility:
  Verify that your repository is set to public and contains accessible, well-structured content.

• Create a Clear and Descriptive ReadMe:
  Enhance your repository with detailed documentation, keywords, and relevant metadata to improve its attractiveness to search engines.

• Generate External Links:
  Promote your repository on relevant platforms, blogs, or social media to increase link signals that Google considers when ranking.

• Use Sitemap and Robots.txt to Guide Crawling:
  Although