What does Google say about SEO?

What's the Real Secret to Creating SEO Content That Users Actually Want?

John Mueller Jul 15, 2025 ★★★

In the Search Off The Record podcast, Google's John Mueller and Martin Splitt discussed the best way to create content for SEO. They explain that writing well is not enough: you must above all meet user expectations. A common problem is writing conte...

Content AI & SEO Local Search

Does the Order of Links in Your Disavow File Really Matter to Google?

John Mueller Jul 15, 2025 ★★★

On Bluesky, John Mueller explained that the order of URLs or sites listed in the disavow file has no importance whatsoever. Google does not process this file in real-time, but takes it into account during the natural recrawl of the web.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name PDF & Files

How do you choose an SEO expert who actually delivers business results?

John Mueller Jul 15, 2025 ★★★

In the Search Off The Record podcast, John Mueller says that it's relevant to hire an expert when SEO becomes too time-consuming and diverts the business owner from their priorities. He also emphasizes the importance of measuring SEO results not only...

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO

Should you really be asking your customers to shape your SEO strategy?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

An effective method to develop a content strategy is to ask existing customers directly how they found you, what they were looking for, and where they performed their searches.

Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Is Google's SEO Starter Guide really the best foundation to learn search engine optimization from scratch?

John Mueller Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

Google recommends starting with the SEO Starter Guide to establish common vocabulary and understand the fundamentals of search engine optimization, particularly for small businesses and beginners.

AI & SEO Pagination & Structure

Should small businesses really give up on generic search queries?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

You need to be honest with yourself about the feasibility of ranking for certain terms. Highly competitive generic terms are unrealistic for small businesses—it's better to target more specific and local queries instead.

AI & SEO Local Search

Should you really define goals and conversions before optimizing your SEO?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

Before working on SEO, it is essential to clearly define your website's objective and desired conversion. This helps guide your content strategy and identify what is truly necessary.

Content AI & SEO

Can small websites really test freely without major SEO risks?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

For small businesses, it's possible to test different content approaches without fear of severely damaging the site. Changes can be tested over a few weeks to evaluate their impact.

Content AI & SEO

Why does Martin Splitt place such strong emphasis on installing Search Console and measurement tools?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

It is necessary to configure Search Console and a measurement system (analytics or similar) to track SEO performance and understand whether changes have a positive impact on your site's objectives.

AI & SEO Web Performance Search Console

Should you really tailor your SEO strategy to your audience before optimizing technically?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

It is crucial to understand who your potential customers are and how they conduct their searches. This enables you to create relevant content and be visible at the right moment in their search journey.

Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Is it really safe to search for your own website on Google without getting penalized?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

It is not prohibited to search for your own site in Google to check whether the changes you made (such as modifying the title) have been taken into account.

Content

Why can't you rely on staging environments to validate your SEO improvements?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

Unlike technical tests, staging sites don't allow effective SEO testing because you generally don't want search engines to index them. SEO testing must be done on the production site.

Content Crawl & Indexing E-commerce AI & SEO

Are popular CMS platforms like WordPress really enough for serious technical SEO?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

For small businesses using common CMS platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, the technical foundation is generally solid and allows you to focus more on content creation.

Domain Age & History Content JavaScript & Technical SEO

Should you only hire an SEO expert once you can actually measure the ROI?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

The right time to hire an SEO expert is when you can concretely measure the value of SEO for your company and you're ready to invest a portion of the benefits obtained into this expertise.

Are all #1 ranking guarantees really SEO scams?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

If an SEO expert promises specific rankings or guarantees a top position for certain keywords, it's a red flag. No one can manually manipulate Google rankings.

AI & SEO

Is searching your domain name on Google really enough to verify your site's technical health?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

To verify that your site is technically sound, search your site by its name and domain name in Google. If results appear, the technical configuration is probably acceptable.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Pagination & Structure

Why do some SEO optimizations take months to deliver results?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

Simple modifications like text changes are visible quickly, but larger strategic changes require time. A good SEO must be able to monitor and regularly explain the progress being made.

Content E-commerce AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO

Is your website still essential in the age of generative AI?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

Despite the emergence of generative AI and chatbots, having a quality website remains essential. These tools often rely on existing web content and do not replace a website, particularly for e-commerce and services.

Content AI & SEO

How long does it really take for a content change to show up in Google search results?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★

For a small website (homepage and a few pages), content changes should be reflected in search results within approximately one to two weeks.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO

Are Google's Search Essentials really the ultimate SEO rulebook you need to follow?

Martin Splitt Jul 10, 2025 ★★★

Search Essentials (former webmaster guidelines) define what should and shouldn't be done in SEO. Knowing them helps ensure that an SEO service provider respects Google's best practices.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO