What does Google say about SEO?

How should you prioritize your SEO actions using Google's official classification system?

Gary Illyes Dec 22, 2022 ★★★

Google has classified its recommendations into three priority levels: Priority 0 (absolutely necessary), Priority 1 (very important and impactful for most sites), and Priority 2 (useful if possible). This hierarchy allows webmasters to focus on the e...

AI & SEO

Is Googlebot accessibility really a binary condition for indexation?

Gary Illyes Dec 22, 2022 ★★

Making your site accessible to Googlebot is one of three absolute technical requirements to be indexed. It's not something you can 'violate' in the strict sense, it's simply a binary condition: either Google can access the pages, or it cannot.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Does Google really distinguish between documentation changes and algorithm updates?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 22, 2022 ★★

Following reactions to the 15-megabyte limit controversy, Google created a dedicated page for documentation updates. This page clearly indicates when a change in documentation reflects new information versus an actual change in how Google Search oper...

Domain Age & History AI & SEO PDF & Files

Can you really rank on Google without HTTPS and fast page speed?

Gary Illyes Dec 22, 2022 ★★

Although it is recommended to have a fast site and operate in HTTPS, these elements are not absolute requirements to appear in Google search results. They are part of important best practices but their absence does not prevent indexation.

Crawl & Indexing HTTPS & Security AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Web Performance

What are the only 3 technical requirements needed to get indexed by Google?

Gary Illyes Dec 22, 2022 ★★★

There are only three absolute technical requirements for a site to appear in Google search results. These three elements are things that virtually every site respects by default. Other factors like speed or HTTPS are important but are not mandatory c...

Content HTTPS & Security AI & SEO Web Performance

Does Google really distinguish between "absolute requirements" and "best practices" in SEO?

Gary Illyes Dec 22, 2022 ★★★

Not spreading spam is identified as an absolute requirement, unlike other factors such as site speed or HTTPS which are important but not mandatory. The distinction between spam policies and best practices makes it possible to clarify what can lead t...

HTTPS & Security AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Penalties & Spam Web Performance

Are Search Essentials really the non-negotiable foundation for ranking on Google?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★★

If you're building websites for Google Search, Search Essentials are essential. They form the foundation of the guidelines that website owners must follow.

AI & SEO

How is Google now displaying website names in search results?

John Mueller Dec 21, 2022 ★★

Google has launched a new way to display website names in search results. Website names facilitate the identification of websites and are now much more visible, while also giving slightly more space to the page title.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Local Search

How can you optimize your site name display on mobile using structured data?

John Mueller Dec 21, 2022 ★★

The site name feature is currently available on mobile in a specific set of languages. Websites can use appropriate structured data for this feature.

Mobile SEO International SEO

Are Panda and Penguin Still Relevant in Modern SEO?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★★

Google has published a guide on Google Search ranking systems. The guide covers more than 20 systems, including some that have been retired, such as Panda and Penguin. This is an excellent reference for those writing about Google's systems.

Algorithms AI & SEO PDF & Files

Does Google finally publish a complete history of its ranking updates?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★★

Google provides a list of ranking updates that includes the deployment and completion dates for each update. This helps verify changes on Google's side when you notice modifications in your site's performance.

AI & SEO Web Performance Search Console

Why does Google document some ranking systems but keep others completely hidden?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★★

Google maintains detailed documentation on more recent systems, such as helpful content and product reviews. These resources help website owners understand these ranking systems.

Content E-commerce AI & SEO PDF & Files Local Search

Should you really be sending feedback to Google about its SEO documentation gaps?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★

If something isn't clear in Google's documentation, website owners are encouraged to send feedback.

AI & SEO PDF & Files

Is Google's shift from Webmaster Guidelines to Search Essentials just a rebrand, or does it signal something bigger?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★★

Google has transformed its Webmaster Guidelines into Search Essentials. These directives include minimum technical requirements, anti-spam policies with new sections on deceptive features, scams, fraud, copyright, and harassment, as well as a focused...

Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Penalties & Spam

Is your favicon costing you clicks? Here's why Google wants you to check it now

John Mueller Dec 21, 2022 ★★

With the change in website name display, your site's favicon can be more visible. For this reason, it is also recommended that you verify your favicon.

Domain Age & History

Is Google Really Being Transparent About Algorithm Updates, and What Does It Mean for Your SEO?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★

Google does its best to inform website owners about updates, because change is difficult. It is important that you have the information you need to succeed with Google Search.

AI & SEO

Does Google really expect you to solve your traffic drops through a community forum instead of direct support?

Lizzi Sassman Dec 21, 2022 ★★

To get more information about changes affecting your website, Google recommends the Search Central Help Community.

AI & SEO

Does Time Spent on a Page Really Influence Google Rankings?

John Mueller Dec 19, 2022 ★★★

John Mueller reiterated once again on Twitter that the time a user spends reading a web page is not a relevance criterion for the search engine and is not taken into account by the algorithm, just like behavioral metrics in general (click-through rat...

Algorithms Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Social Media

Can a 5xx Error on Your robots.txt Really Make Your Entire Site Disappear from Google?

Gary Illyes Dec 19, 2022 ★★★

Gary Illyes explained on LinkedIn that if your robots.txt file returns a 5xx code (such as 500 or 503) for a certain period of time, this can have a disastrous consequence with the eventual removal of the entire site from the index...

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks PDF & Files Social Media

Should You Block Crawling in Robots.txt to Quickly Deindex a Site?

John Mueller Dec 19, 2022 ★★★

John Mueller indicated on Reddit that simply blocking crawling of a site via robots.txt (Disallow: / directive) is not the fastest solution for deindexing a site: "Even if you block all crawling, it would take some time for the entire site to disappe...

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO