<b>Which filter combinations should I let Google index?</b>

<b>Which filter combinations should I let Google index?</b>

'Q: I want some facet pages indexed but not all. How do I decide which?'

<b>Short answer:</b> Index a facet only when its combination has real search demand and unique inventory.

The longer version: don't decide by gut — decide by demand. A facet page earns indexing if it passes three tests:

— People search for it. 'Nike running shoes' has volume; 'Nike running shoes size 10.5 blue under $73' does not.
— It has enough products to be a satisfying page (a one-product facet is thin).
— It's not a near-duplicate of an existing category.

Generally: single-select on high-demand attributes (brand, type, primary color) — index. Multi-select stacks, price ranges, sort orders, in-stock toggles — never index.

Practical setup: maintain an allowlist of indexable facet patterns. Everything else gets nofollowed internal links plus a robots disallow on the param, so crawlers never even reach the combinatorial explosion.

Rule of thumb: if you'd write a meta title for it without cringing, it can be indexed.

Got a faceted-nav question? Drop it.