If you’ve come across the “Blocked due to access forbidden (403)” message in Google Search Console, you might be wondering what it means and whether it’s something to be concerned about. Contrary to what you might think, there are actually some good reasons why certain parts of your website should be blocked from Googlebot, Google’s web-crawling bot. Let’s explore when and why you might want to block access, what this message really means, and why these blocks are often beneficial for your site.
What Does “Blocked Due to Access Forbidden (403)” Really Mean?
When you see “Blocked due to access forbidden (403)” in Google Search Console, it simply means that Googlebot is being prevented from accessing certain pages on your site. This doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem—in fact, it could be a sign that your site is set up to protect certain content from being indexed, which can be a very good thing.
Think of it like having a “Private” sign on a door. You don’t want just anyone wandering in, especially if the room behind that door isn’t meant for public viewing. The same principle applies to your website.
Reasons You Might Want to Block Googlebot
There are several scenarios where blocking Googlebot is not only acceptable but recommended. These blocks help address specific concerns and protect your site’s functionality, security, and user experience. Here are some common examples:
1. HTTP to HTTPS Redirects
- Description: HTTP URLs are typically redirected to HTTPS for security. Blocking these won’t affect functionality as long as HTTPS is properly configured.
- Example: http://yourwebsite.com
- Security Concern: By blocking the HTTP version, you ensure that users are always directed to the secure HTTPS version, preventing potential security warnings and protecting user trust. This block takes care of the concern by keeping users on the secure version of your site.
2. Feed URLs
- Description: WordPress automatically generates RSS feeds for posts and comments. If you’re not using feeds, these URLs can be blocked.
- Examples:
- /feed/
- /comments/feed/
- UX Concern: When a user clicks on a feed URL, their browser might prompt them to choose a news reader, which can be confusing. Even if you’re using RSS feeds, you may not want these URLs indexed because they can lead to a poor user experience when users expect to land on a fully formatted web page instead. Blocking these URLs mitigates the UX concern by preventing users from encountering confusing prompts.
3. XML-RPC API
- Description: The xmlrpc.php file is used for remote publishing and some third-party integrations, but it’s often targeted for attacks. If you’re not using these features, blocking it is recommended.
- Example: /xmlrpc.php
- Security Concern: Exposing the XML-RPC API can open up your site to security vulnerabilities, which can lead to downtime or unauthorized access. Blocking this file helps eliminate the security risk, keeping your site safe from potential attacks.
4. Login URL
- Description: While it’s necessary for admin access, if you’ve set up custom login URLs or use plugins to restrict access, blocking the default login URL can enhance security.
- Example: /wp-login.php
- Security Concern: Exposing the default login URL increases the risk of brute-force attacks, which could compromise your site. A hacked site can lead to a degraded user experience, including slow load times, defacements, or even malicious redirects. Blocking the login URL significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, protecting your site’s integrity.
5. Author Archives
- Description: If your site doesn’t use author archives or if you’ve set up custom author pages, blocking these can prevent user enumeration attacks.
- Example: /author/username/
- Security Concern: If indexed, author archive pages can dilute your site’s SEO and lead users to outdated or less relevant content. It also opens up potential security risks where attackers can identify and target specific usernames. Blocking these archives improves your SEO and enhances site security by protecting against user enumeration attacks.
6. Wp-Admin Directory
- Description: The wp-admin directory is essential for admin tasks, but specific files within it (like wp-admin/install.php after setup) can be blocked.
- Examples:
- /wp-admin/install.php
- /wp-admin/upgrade.php (after upgrades)
- Security Concern: Allowing access to wp-admin files can expose sensitive areas of your site to unauthorized users. Blocking these files after they’re no longer needed helps maintain site security by preventing unauthorized access.
7. Readme Files
- Description: The readme.html file provides WordPress version information, which can be blocked to prevent attackers from knowing your WordPress version.
- Example: /readme.html
- Security Concern: Revealing your WordPress version can make your site a target for automated attacks. Blocking this file reduces the risk of your site being targeted by automated attacks, thereby enhancing security.
8. Wp-Content and Wp-Includes Files
- Description: Some files within wp-content and wp-includes are not needed for the website to function and can be blocked.
- Examples:
- /wp-content/debug.log
- /wp-includes/wp-config-sample.php
- Security Concern: These files can reveal sensitive information about your site’s configuration, which can be exploited by attackers. Blocking these files helps keep sensitive information secure, reducing the risk of exploitation.
9. License Files
- Description: WordPress includes licensing information that doesn’t need to be public-facing.
- Examples:
- /license.txt
- /GPL.txt
- SEO Concern: Although these files aren’t harmful to users, they don’t add any value either. Allowing them to be indexed can clutter search results with irrelevant content. Blocking these files keeps your search results clean and focused on your important content, improving SEO.
10. Upgrade and Install Scripts
- Description: These scripts are used during the WordPress installation and upgrade process and can be blocked after installation.
- Examples:
- /wp-admin/upgrade.php
- /wp-admin/install.php
- Security Concern: If left accessible, these scripts can be used by attackers to gain control of your site. Blocking these scripts after use helps prevent unauthorized access, maintaining your site’s security.
11. Trackback and Pingback URLs
- Description: If you’re not using trackbacks or pingbacks, blocking these URLs can help reduce spam and security risks.
- Examples:
- /wp-trackback.php
- /wp-pingback.php
- Security Concern: Allowing trackbacks and pingbacks can open your site up to spam, which can clog your comment sections with irrelevant or malicious content. Blocking these URLs helps reduce spam and keeps your comment sections clean, enhancing the user experience.
These are just some of the most common examples where blocking access makes sense. Each of these blocks directly addresses specific concerns and protects your site’s functionality, security, and user experience. In most cases, these blocks are not only good—they’re essential.
Do You Need to Take Action?
Not every “Blocked due to access forbidden (403)” message in Google Search Console requires urgent action. Sometimes, it’s a matter of prioritizing what really needs attention. For example, a client once asked WPSimplifyd to “just make the issue go away”. But here’s the thing—if the blocked content is something you actually want to keep private, there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars investigating it.
WPSimplifyd generally advises clients to focus on what matters most. If the content that’s being blocked is intended to be private or irrelevant to search engines, it’s perfectly fine to leave it that way. However, if you’re unsure whether something important is being blocked, or you just want peace of mind, it might be worth getting a professional opinion.
Not Sure What to Do Next? WPSimplifyd Can Help
If you’re feeling a bit lost or concerned about what’s being blocked on your site, don’t worry—WPSimplifyd is here to help. Whether you need to protect sensitive areas or ensure that the right content is getting indexed, WPSimplifyd can take a look and guide you in the right direction.
Contact WPSimplifyd for professional WordPress support tailored to your needs.
