What does Google say about SEO?

Does Google really treat static and dynamic pages the same way?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★★

When content is made available to search engines, they cannot and do not differentiate whether it comes from a static page (fixed file) or a dynamic page (server-generated). This distinction holds no significance for search engines.

Domain Age & History Content PDF & Files

Should You Really Mask Dynamic Pages as Static for SEO?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★

Some websites try to make dynamic pages appear as static pages by adding an HTML extension, but this does nothing to alter Google's processing. There's no need to do this.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Domain Name

How does Google wisely allocate its indexing resources?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★★

While there is no formal indexing limit, Google tries to concentrate its resources where they make sense. The algorithms generally focus on the pages that are relevant to index.

Algorithms Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Why doesn't Google index all new websites right away?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★★

For a completely new site, Google is unlikely to index millions of pages right away. Indexing develops gradually based on the perceived value of the site.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing

Does perceived quality really drive extensive indexing on Google?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★★

If Google sees that a site is worth it, it will be willing to index millions of pages. This evaluation process is fully automated by algorithms.

Algorithms Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing

How can you ensure your website gets indexed by Google more effectively?

John Mueller Jun 07, 2021 ★★★

When developing a website, Google recommends ensuring it is exceptional so that algorithms can easily understand that it's worth spending more time indexing and displaying it in search results.

Algorithms Crawl & Indexing Local Search

Is it true that the URL Removal Tool overlooks the canonical tag?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

The URL Removal Tool does not consider the canonical tag. It matches exactly the submitted URL (including HTTP/HTTPS and www/non-www). The URL is not removed from the index but simply hidden from search results.

Crawl & Indexing HTTPS & Security AI & SEO Domain Name

Should you worry about domain age for SEO?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

Google does not use domain age or domain expiration date as ranking factors. These elements are not taken into account by the ranking algorithms.

Algorithms AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name

Should Googlebot really ignore cookie consent banners?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

Googlebot does not need to see a cookie consent banner because it does not retain cookies. It is acceptable not to display this banner to Googlebot. The key point is that Googlebot should not be blocked by an interstitial that prevents access to the ...

Content Crawl & Indexing Pagination & Structure Local Search

Should you worry about private WHOIS information for your SEO?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★

Google does not check if WHOIS information is private or public. Some registrars and TLDs have everything private by default, making this data unusable for comparisons or ranking factors.

AI & SEO Domain Name

Does the frequency of keywords really make a difference in SEO?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

Google does not use the number of times a keyword is repeated on a page as a ranking factor. Natural writing resolves this automatically. It's important not to focus on exact keywords, their singular/plural variations, but to mention the main topic o...

Domain Age & History AI & SEO

Is it essential to customize the above-the-fold content for SEO?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

It is important for a portion of the content above the fold to be unique for each page. A generic banner or image at the top is acceptable, but at minimum, a visible title must be unique. This remains valid in the context of mobile-first indexing.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Images & Videos Mobile SEO Pagination & Structure

Does the word count really matter for SEO rankings?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

Google does not use the word count for SEO at all. The length of an article is an internal editorial decision. There is no correlation between longer content and better rankings.

Content Discover & News AI & SEO

Why does Google limit the data collected on Search Console?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★

There is a limit to the number of data points that Search Console collects per site and per day. For very large sites, creating sub-properties can provide more detailed data on specific sections of the site.

AI & SEO Search Console

Why does Google rely on field data for Core Web Vitals rankings?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

For ranking based on Core Web Vitals, Google uses field data from real users, not lab data from tests. Field data reflects the actual user experience across different devices and connections.

AI & SEO Web Performance

Should you be concerned about the 28-day update delay for Core Web Vitals?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

Core Web Vitals field data takes 28 days to update in Search Console. It is possible to use Google Analytics with an additional script to track your own field data in near real-time.

AI & SEO Web Performance Search Console

Why isn't A/B testing considered cloaking by Google?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★★

A/B testing is not considered cloaking as long as the page's purpose remains the same. Googlebot must also be included in the test. Modifying colors, layout, or calls to action is acceptable, but completely changing the page's subject is not.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Pagination & Structure Penalties & Spam

Is it true that Google doesn’t differentiate between WordPress pages and posts in SEO?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★

Google doesn't recognize the difference between pages and posts in WordPress. This distinction exists only within the CMS. Google simply sees HTML pages with content and analyzes their internal linking.

Domain Age & History Content Discover & News AI & SEO Pagination & Structure

Does URL length really have any impact on SEO ranking?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★

URL length does not affect rankings in Google. What can impact SEO is rather the internal linking of the site, which may differ for deeper URLs in the hierarchy.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Domain Name Pagination & Structure

Should you really worry about foreign spam links in Search Console?

John Mueller Jun 04, 2021 ★★

Spam links displayed in Search Console, particularly in Japanese, Chinese, or Arabic, can be ignored if they were not placed intentionally. Google automatically ignores these types of links that have been around for years.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Penalties & Spam Search Console International SEO