FreshlyCited vs IndexMeNow: how the two indexing services compare

A page or backlink has to be indexed (in Google's index, the library it answers from) before it can show in search or in AI answers built on that index, so how a tool charges for links that don't make it matters. Below: how each works, pricing, checks, refunds, reporting, API and MCP (Model Context Protocol: a standard way for AI assistants such as Claude or Cursor to use a tool directly), and when to choose each.

Which is right for you: IndexMeNow or FreshlyCited?

IndexMeNow fits if you want a Google indexing service with checks included in the per-link price, credits that never expire, and a WordPress plugin or Chrome extension to send URLs from where you work. FreshlyCited fits if you'd rather not spend a credit on links Google already has, want IndexNow notices (an open "this page changed" notice that Bing and other participating engines accept; Google doesn't use it) sent for your own verified sites, or need client reports and an MCP server.

How does IndexMeNow work, and how does FreshlyCited?

IndexMeNow sends your URLs for indexing, then checks the results. FreshlyCited checks every link against Google first, sends only the ones Google can't see, then re-checks them on days 1, 3 and 7.

IndexMeNow describes four steps: add your URLs, "Your URLs are sent for indexing via our combo of 3 methods", "Every hour, we check for free whether your URLs have been indexed by Google", and "If your URL is not indexed after 10 days, you are fully refunded" (IndexMeNow). It doesn't say what the three methods are: its FAQ says "Our indexation methodology is internal" and that it doesn't need access to your Search Console or a Google API key. The service is run by ASF Collector in Nice, France, according to the site's footer.

IndexMeNow says "On average 80% of pages indexed in 72h" and "60% of URLs are indexed in just 24h" (its footer gives "80% of your URLs in 24h"). Those are its own figures, which we haven't tested.

FreshlyCited's smart push works like this:

1. Paste or upload links, up to 10,000 per push. A pre-flight check flags pages that can't be indexed (dead, noindex, blocked, redirected) so you can skip them free.
2. Check. Each link comes back Seen by Google or Invisible, at 1 check credit per link.
3. Push only the invisible ones. Links Google already has show Already seen — not pushed.
4. Re-check on days 1, 3 and 7, with an email after each.

For sites you verify with an IndexNow key, FreshlyCited also sends the same URLs through IndexNow. That shows as Sent to Bing, costs nothing extra and can be switched off per site. IndexMeNow's site describes Google indexing only.

How do IndexMeNow and FreshlyCited price indexing?

Both sell credits up front and use one only when a link is indexed. IndexMeNow's checks are included in that price; FreshlyCited charges check credits separately and reserves index credits only for links it actually pushes.

As of October 2026, IndexMeNow lists five packs, all excluding VAT, under "No subscription. Pay only for results." (IndexMeNow pricing):

Its FAQ says "you only pay if our system has detected your URL as being indexed" and that index checks are included in the indexation cost.

FreshlyCited has a free tier (10 free links to try, then 100 free checks a month; no card, just a verified email), one-time packs from $0.16 per indexed link, and monthly Agency plans from $59 a month. A standard check costs 1 check credit, from $0.004 each. Current prices are on the FreshlyCited pricing table.

So compare total cost on your own list: IndexMeNow charges once per indexed URL, checks included; FreshlyCited charges a check per link, then an index credit only for pushed links that got indexed.

How does each tool check whether a link is indexed?

IndexMeNow checks after sending; FreshlyCited checks before and after. That difference decides whether a link Google already has costs you anything.

IndexMeNow's FAQ answers "If I add a page that is already indexed on indexmenow.com, am I charged?" with "Yes, because the indexation check is performed after sending for indexation." It recommends checking first with isindexed.com, which its FAQ calls "our service" (IndexMeNow FAQ). isindexed.com sells its own checks, from $59 for 10,000 (excluding VAT), with 10 free credits to try (isindexed.com). IndexMeNow says its checks use "site:" and "inurl:" searches plus other Google data centers, and warns that results can differ between data centers for about 48 hours.

Some users send indexed pages on purpose: IndexMeNow's packs include "Refresh and boost already indexed URLs", for example after a title change.

FreshlyCited does the opposite by default. The check runs first, and links Google already sees aren't pushed. Updated pages Google already has are skipped too, unless you choose Refresh anyway, which sends the page and uses 1 index credit with no credit back. You pay 1 check credit per link to find out, and check credits aren't refundable. Our guide to bulk index checking covers other ways to check a list first.

If you have a list where many links may already be indexed, check your links free before paying to push them.

What happens to your credit when a link isn't indexed?

Both tools return credits, not cash, when a link isn't indexed in time. IndexMeNow waits 10 days; FreshlyCited settles after its day-7 re-check.

IndexMeNow's FAQ puts de-indexing at "about 2% of indexed pages" by its internal statistics (IndexMeNow FAQ). Its homepage calls the 10-day rule a "Money-back guarantee"; the FAQ describes it as a refund to your credits. Neither tool can make Google index a page, and Google says crawling "can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks" (Google Search Central).

What reporting does each tool give you?

IndexMeNow shows a processing history with each URL's result, and FreshlyCited shows each link's before-and-after status with a shareable report.

IndexMeNow's packs include "Processing history with results". When a URL is detected as indexed, its FAQ says it shows the title and description snippet Google displayed, and receipts, history and balance are in a check-history page in your account (IndexMeNow FAQ). Client-facing or white-label reports: not published.

FreshlyCited shows each push's result ("33 of 40 seen by Google", illustrative) and emails you after each re-check. You can share a client report with each link's before-and-after status: your logo on Agency Starter ($59 a month), full white-label on Agency Pro and Agency Scale.

Do IndexMeNow and FreshlyCited have an API, MCP server or plugins?

Both have an API. IndexMeNow adds a WordPress plugin and a Chrome extension; FreshlyCited adds an MCP server.

IndexMeNow, as of October 2026:

• API: "Free API on all your projects". The FAQ lists getting your credit count, listing and creating projects, adding URLs and checking URL statuses, with docs inside the logged-in tool (IndexMeNow FAQ).
• WordPress plugin: version 1.2.4, "2,000+" active installations, last release March 3, 2026, tested up to WordPress 6.9.10. It offers "6 push methods", including auto-push on publish and on update and a sitemap push (WordPress.org).
• Chrome extension: sends pages "in 2 clicks directly from the Chrome browser" once you add your API key (IndexMeNow FAQ; Chrome Web Store listing).
• MCP server: not published.

FreshlyCited

• API: the full REST API comes with any pack or Agency plan; the free tier is read-only. See the FreshlyCited API and MCP server.
• MCP server: https://freshlycited.com/mcp (OAuth 2.1 or an API key) on Agency Pro ($199 a month) and Agency Scale ($599 a month); see the MCP tool reference.
• WordPress plugin: not available. For WordPress options today, see our WordPress indexing plugins compared.

How do IndexMeNow and FreshlyCited compare at a glance?

As of October 2026 (checked on October 17, 2026). IndexMeNow facts are from indexmenow.com and its WordPress.org listing.

When should you choose IndexMeNow, and when FreshlyCited?

Choose IndexMeNow when a simple per-indexed-URL price with checks included suits your list, and when you want to send URLs from WordPress or Chrome. Choose FreshlyCited when you want to see what Google already has before paying, and need reports or AI-assistant access for client work.

Choose IndexMeNow if

• You want each indexed URL to cost one credit, with hourly checks included and no separate check fee.
• You publish on WordPress and want auto-push from an official plugin, or want to send pages from a Chrome extension.
• You want credits with no expiry date (FreshlyCited pack credits last 12 months).

Choose FreshlyCited if

• Many of your links may already be indexed, and you don't want to pay to send those. This matters most for indexing backlinks bought or built over time.
• You want to start free, with 10 free links to try, then 100 free checks a month.
• You want your own verified site's URLs sent to Bing and other engines through IndexNow at the same time, at no extra cost.
• You report to clients and want a white-label report for agencies, or you run work from an AI assistant through MCP.

Comparing more options? Our indexing tools compared covers paid and free routes side by side, and FreshlyCited vs SpeedyIndex compares a pay-per-result token model.

How did we check these facts?

We read each IndexMeNow page linked above on October 17, 2026, including the FAQ answers on its homepage. We also queried WordPress.org's public plugin API for the plugin's current numbers:

curl -s "https://api.wordpress.org/plugins/info/1.2/?action=plugin_information&request%5Bslug%5D=indexmenow" \
  | jq '{name, version, active_installs, last_updated, tested}'

{
  "name": "IndexMeNow",
  "version": "1.2.4",
  "active_installs": 2000,
  "last_updated": "2026-03-03 3:46pm GMT",
  "tested": "6.9.10"
}

We re-check these facts each quarter and before any edit. If something is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.

Want to see which of your links Google already has before you spend on indexing? Check your links free: FreshlyCited marks each one Seen by Google or Invisible, pushes only the invisible ones, and re-checks them on days 1, 3 and 7.