What does it mean to de-index pages with arguments?

An argument is a URL parameter. For example, in https://example.com/category?q=Color-Blue&page=2, q and page are parameter names.

In the Others tab, enable Noindex pages with arguments ?, then fill in the List of arguments not to be indexed.

• To target specific parameters, enter their names separated by commas, for example q, page. The setting applies when the module recognises a listed argument in the request. For an ordinary parameter, its presence without a value does not trigger this rule. The pagination case includes page=1: it does not start only at page 2.
• The name search targets the search controller.
• To target all URLs containing a question mark, enter ? in the list. This is a broad rule and can also affect URLs that are useful for search visibility.

The Nofollowpages with arguments ? setting is independent of noindex. Select it according to your needs, then save the configuration.

The list of argument names is shared across the installation’s languages and shops. Review its scope before changing it.

A URL with a parameter is not automatically a poor page. Review the affected URLs before enabling a broad rule, then check their robots tag using the verification procedure. Removal from Google occurs after Google visits the page, with no guaranteed deadline.