> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.samita.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.samita.io/b2b-lock-password-protect/lock-behavior/hide-from-search-engines.md).
# Hide from search engines
Keep locked pages and products out of on-site search, your sitemap, and search engine results.
This behavior is available on locks that protect **Products and variants**, **Collections**, **Pages**, or **Blogs and articles**. It controls whether a protected item can be found through your storefront's own search box, or through search engines like Google, rather than what a visitor sees once they land on the page itself.
{% hint style="info" %}
The **Google settings** panel is confirmed to show these exact fields for **Products and variants** and **Collections** content types. Other content types listed above may show the same options, a variation, or none — check the panel for your specific content type.
{% endhint %}
## Reach this setting
1. Open **Locks** and create a new lock, or open an existing one to edit it.
2. On the **Lock setup** tab, choose a content type that supports this behavior — **Products and variants**, **Collections**, **Pages**, or **Blogs and articles** — and select what to protect.
3. Click the **Unlock rules** tab, then add your access rules in the main column.
4. On the same **Unlock rules** tab, find the **Google settings** section in the right-hand sidebar, alongside the **Blocked visitor behavior** panel.
The Google settings section controls whether locked content is discoverable through search.
## Hide from search & sitemap
Turn on **Hide from search & sitemap** to remove the protected pages or products from your storefront's own on-site search results and from the sitemap Shopify generates for search engines to crawl. In plain terms: shoppers using your store's search bar won't find the locked item, and search engines will have a harder time discovering the page at all, since it's no longer listed for them to crawl.
## Add the "noindex" meta tag
Once **Hide from search & sitemap** is on, a second option becomes available: **Add the "noindex" meta tag to protected content**. This adds a `noindex` instruction to the page whenever access is denied by this lock, which directly tells search engines not to index or show that page in their results — even if a visitor or a search engine bot reaches the URL directly (for example, from an old link or a listing you haven't updated yet).
{% hint style="info" %}
In plain language: **Hide from search & sitemap** stops the page from being actively listed and crawled; the **noindex** tag is a stronger, explicit instruction that keeps a search engine from indexing the page even if it does reach it some other way. Turning both on gives the most complete protection from search visibility.
{% endhint %}
{% hint style="warning" %}
Both options may require a paid plan. If your current plan doesn't include this feature, the app shows an upgrade prompt instead of the checkboxes, and the noindex option stays disabled until "Hide from search & sitemap" is turned on.
{% endhint %}
Click **Save** once you've made your choice.
## Related docs
* [Lock behavior overview](/b2b-lock-password-protect/lock-behavior/overview.md)
* [Hide from menus](/b2b-lock-password-protect/lock-behavior/hide-from-menus.md)
* [Hide price and Add to cart](/b2b-lock-password-protect/lock-behavior/hide-price-and-add-to-cart.md)
* [Products and variants](/b2b-lock-password-protect/content-to-lock/overview.md)
---
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