Guide to Baidu’s “Rapid Indexing” Tool (快速抓取)

The following article is our English interpretation of an post originally published April 19th 2024 on Baidu Webmaster Help pages in Chinese language. If you'd like to check out the original article, you can find it here: https://ziyuan.baidu.com/college/articleinfo?id=3549

If you’re a webmaster with content targeting Chinese users, getting your site indexed quickly by Baidu is crucial. Baidu’s Rapid Indexing (快速抓取) tool allows site owners to proactively push URLs to Baidu’s crawler (Baidu Spider), helping new or updated pages get discovered faster.

Below is a breakdown of what the tool does, who can use it, and how to make the most of it.


1. What Is “Rapid Indexing”?

Rapid Indexing is a feature in Baidu’s Search Resource Platform (百度搜索资源平台) that lets verified site owners manually or programmatically submit URLs for prioritized crawling by Baidu’s search engine spider.

Important Notes:

  • Submission increases the chance of your content being crawled quickly, but it does not guarantee indexing or visibility in search results.
  • It’s ideal for time-sensitive or newly published content you want Baidu to discover faster.

2. Who Can Use It?

There are two main ways to gain access to Rapid Indexing privileges:

(1) Become a VIP Partner

Sites officially recognized as VIP partners in Baidu’s Search Resource Platform are automatically granted access to Rapid Indexing.

  • You can learn more or apply for VIP status via Baidu’s VIP Club guide (site in Chinese).
  • Note: Duplicate or ineligible applications will not be considered.

(2) Participate in Official Events

If your site is not a VIP, you can still earn access by actively participating in campaigns or events hosted by the Baidu Search Resource Platform.

Keep an eye on their announcements to catch new opportunities.


3. How to Submit URLs

There are two submission methods available:

(1) Manual Submission

  • Best for low-volume or occasional submissions.
  • Simply log into the Baidu Search Resource Platform, navigate to the Rapid Indexing tool, and paste in your URLs.

(2) API Submission

  • Recommended for high-volume or automated workflows.
  • Use the latest version of Baidu’s API to push URLs directly from your server or CMS.
  • Documentation and API keys are available within your account dashboard.

4. Key Considerations

Before using the Rapid Indexing tool, keep these in mind:

  • Quota Limits: Every submission consumes part of your daily quota. Plan your pushes strategically.
  • Start Small: Begin with a small number of URLs. Monitor response codes from Baidu. If successful, you can scale up.
  • HTTPS Matters: If your site is HTTPS-verified within Baidu’s tools, make sure all submitted URLs use the HTTPS protocol.
  • Ongoing Review: Baidu periodically reviews sites with Rapid Indexing access. If your site no longer meets Baidu’s quality standards, your privileges may be revoked.

Final Tip

Baidu’s ecosystem differs significantly from Google’s. If your audience includes Chinese users, mastering tools like Rapid Indexing is essential for SEO success in China. Be proactive, stay compliant, and monitor your crawl results regularly.