You're right that better documentation could set clearer expectations. But in practice, when a developer's game is completely invisible, they don't go back to reread the docs—they immediately think something is broken or that they made a mistake. They turn to the community or support, which creates the very workload we're discussing.
However, I believe the proposed "Indexation Status" feature addresses the core of this issue more directly. In my view, this feature would not only make the process more transparent but also significantly reduce the load on the support team by eliminating repetitive, game-specific help requests.
When I faced this problem, I also found scattered posts and documentation that could hint at a solution. But knowing where to look for this information is a challenge in itself, especially for newcomers. Updated docs alone won't solve the problem of support overload because users in a state of uncertainty are likely to seek immediate help, not search through documentation.
Furthermore, the option for intentional non-indexing could also be clearly communicated within this "Indexation Status" section, explaining what settings to adjust if a developer wants their game to remain private.
Right now, game indexing feels like a "black box." I simply want to add a bit of transparency. A clear status indicator in the dashboard would empower developers to help themselves, provide peace of mind, and ultimately create a smoother experience for both users and the itch.io team.