Update to v23 now triggers noindex

[Dan-DP]

• [x] I've read and understood the contribution guidelines.
• [x] I've searched for any related issues and avoided creating a duplicate issue.

Please give us a description of what happened

Google Ads Policy manager	Google Ads Policy manager

Google Ads Policy Manager emailed notice of destination not working following an auto update to v23. (Screenshots included).

To Reproduce

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

1. Attempted "Fix It" in Google Ads Dashboard, Landing Page: Can't Find Page, Home Page: Can't Find Page.
2. Checked with Pagespeed Insights: Can't Resolve URL.
3. The website performs normally on Mac and iPhone in Safari and Chrome.

Expected results

1. All pages should be indexable.

Actual results

1. no-index.
2. I suspect that a disgruntled Member who works for the host provider accessed the server and altered the file. Copy of file content provided below.

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

If possible, please provide a screenshot, a screen recording or a code snippet which demonstrates the bug.

![Uploading Screenshot 2024-07

-07 at 10.04.12 AM.png…]()

Code Snippet

<?php

// phpcs:disable Yoast.NamingConventions.NamespaceName.TooLong namespace Yoast\WP\SEO\User_Meta\Framework\Custom_Meta;

use Yoast\WP\SEO\User_Meta\Domain\Custom_Meta_Interface;

/**

• The Noindex_Author custom meta. */ class Noindex_Author implements Custom_Meta_Interface {

  /**

  • Returns the db key of the Noindex_Author custom meta.
  • @return string The db key of the Noindex_Author custom meta. */ public function get_key(): string { return 'wpseo_noindex_author'; }

  /**

  • Returns the id of the custom meta's form field.
  • @return string The id of the custom meta's form field. */ public function get_field_id(): string { return 'wpseo_noindex_author'; }

  /**

  • Returns whether the custom meta is allowed to be empty.
  • @return bool Whether the custom meta is allowed to be empty. */ public function is_empty_allowed(): bool { return false; } }

Technical info

• If relevant, which editor is affected (or editors):
• [ ] Block Editor
• [ ] Gutenberg Editor
• [ ] Elementor Editor
• [ ] Classic Editor
• [ ] Other:

• Which browser is affected (or browsers):
• [ ] Chrome
• [ ] Firefox
• [ ] Safari
• [ ] Other:

Used versions

• Device you are using:
• Operating system:
• PHP version:
• WordPress version:
• WordPress Theme:
• Yoast SEO version:
• Gutenberg plugin version:
• Elementor plugin version:
• Classic Editor plugin version:
• Relevant plugins in case of a bug:

[Dan-DP]

It appears the code snippet failed to post. Screenshot attached.

[josevarghese]

Hi @Dan-DP

Thanks for using the Yoast SEO plugin and for creating the issue. I didn't get a clear idea about the issue you have mentioned. So can you please share on which page you have noticed the noindex tag and more details on how to replicate it?

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to help you.

[Dan-DP]

Good morning Jose, thanks for the follow-up. I did include screenshots of the two URL’s that I tested through Google Ads. https://tryconline.ca https://tryconline.ca/spring-membership-drive-2024/

Both URLs are not indexable. I suspect that noindex is in the header and site-wide. I can test and confirm later today.

@Dan-DP https://github.com/Dan-DP

On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 1:16 AM Jose Varghese @.***> wrote:

Hi @Dan-DP https://github.com/Dan-DP

Thanks for using the Yoast SEO plugin and for creating the issue. I didn't get a clear idea about the issue you have mentioned. So can you please share on which page you have noticed the noindex tag and more details on how to replicate it?

We look forward to hearing from you and are happy to help you.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/Yoast/wordpress-seo/issues/21468#issuecomment-2213046822, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BJWYY3XYZVQV6V5CMOZUMB3ZLIODNAVCNFSM6AAAAABKPOZG66VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZDEMJTGA2DMOBSGI . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

[josevarghese]

Hi @Dan-DP

Thanks for the URLs. I checked the pages using the site: operator and confirmed that the pages are set as index, and they are already indexed on Google. See site result for the homepage and the other page at here.. That means the Yoast SEO plugin outputs the index meta tag correctly on the source code without any issues.

Closing this issue as the pages are indexed and the source code is outputting the meta robots tag as index.

[Dan-DP]

Thanks again Jose, I Finally got clarification from Google that the issue is not noindex as previously indicated, the issue is a return of 404 and appears to be a regional response from the DNS Server which still lies under the control of our past Webmaster who was removed for cause.

Thanks for your help. Dan

[josevarghese]

Good to hear that :)