What does Google say about SEO?

Is it true that having different mobile and desktop content still gets penalized by Google after the Mobile-First Index?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

Having significantly different content between the mobile and desktop versions of the same URL can cause indexing problems, even after migration to the Mobile-First Index. The main content should be identical on both versions.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO Domain Name Redirects

Does the indexing API really ensure your pages are indexed immediately?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

Submitting a URL via the indexing API or Search Console does not lead to immediate indexing. These tools are not designed to force rapid indexing; this is the expected behavior.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Search Console

Should you really make all structured data images visible on your pages?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

The guidelines for structured data clearly state not to mark content that is not visible to the user. Images in Article structured data properties must be present on the page for the user.

Domain Age & History Content Discover & News Structured Data AI & SEO Images & Videos Pagination & Structure

Should you really choose between geographical targeting and hreflang for your international SEO?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

Geographical targeting in Search Console affects an entire region and can limit appearance in other countries. Hreflang allows targeting by both language AND region, works on other engines, and offers more granularity at the page level.

Domain Age & History Search Console International SEO

Should you worry about persistent resolved 5xx errors in Search Console?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

If 5xx server errors have been fixed but persist in Search Console, there is no negative impact on the site. The display in Search Console may take time to update.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Search Console

Do 404 pages in a site's structure really hinder crawling?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

A directory structure with intermediate 404 pages does not directly affect crawlability. The key is to ensure that these empty pages are not unnecessarily linked within the internal structure of the site.

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

Can you target the same queries with multiple websites without risking a penalty?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

Having multiple websites targeting the same queries is not automatically seen as spam. The key is to check if this violates the Webmaster Guidelines, particularly regarding doorway pages.

Domain Age & History JavaScript & Technical SEO Penalties & Spam

Should you really check the Webmaster Guidelines before every SEO update?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

To determine if an SEO practice is acceptable, you must first check if it adheres to the Webmaster Guidelines. This is the main criterion for avoiding manual or algorithmic actions.

Algorithms Pagination & Structure

Why does redirecting from HTTPS to HTTP paralyze canonicalization?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

An incorrect redirection from HTTPS to HTTP can prevent Google from resolving canonicalization issues. It is crucial to redirect HTTP to HTTPS and not the other way around.

Crawl & Indexing HTTPS & Security Redirects

Should You Really Ditch URL Parameters for 'Meaningful' Structures?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

It is recommended to replace URL parameters with more meaningful structures when possible, instead of using the default parameters of the CMS.

Domain Name Pagination & Structure

Should you really add a canonical tag on ALL your pages, even the main ones?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

It is recommended to specify canonical tags on all pages, including main pages, to avoid any ambiguity in indexing.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing

Is it really necessary to separate subdomains from the main domain for Google to recognize them distinctly?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

If a subdomain is to be recognized as a distinct site from the main domain, it is advisable to use a clearly separated and parallel structure to facilitate understanding by Google.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Pagination & Structure

Is Local Reputation Enough to Trigger Geolocalized Ranking?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

To ensure a site appears in local search results, you must work on the site's online reputation in that geographical area, not just on technical optimization.

Content AI & SEO Local Search

Is it really possible to overlook the desktop version with mobile-first indexing?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

With mobile-first indexing, Google uses the mobile version for ranking, but this does not mean that the desktop version can be neglected. The main content must be identical on both versions.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO

Why does Google consistently refuse to detail its ranking algorithms?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

Google generally does not comment on questions about specific ranking algorithms. The focus should be on what is useful for the user rather than on algorithmic factors.

Algorithms

Why does Google prohibit marking invisible images in structured data?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★★

Do not use structured data tags to mark images that are not visible to the user on the page. This violates the general structured data guidelines.

Domain Age & History Structured Data Images & Videos Pagination & Structure

Should You Really Ignore Unresolved Errors in Search Console?

Google Apr 22, 2021 ★★

If a server error has already been resolved in reality but remains displayed in Search Console, it has no negative impact on rankings. Only the actual error matters.

AI & SEO Search Console

How does Google really calculate average position when multiple URLs rank for the same query?

John Mueller Apr 21, 2021 ★★★

The average position is calculated based on the highest position of a URL from your site. If multiple URLs from your site appear in the search results, Google uses the one that is ranked highest to calculate this average.

AI & SEO Domain Name

Why are your impressions so low in the Search Console?

John Mueller Apr 21, 2021 ★★

If you observe a significantly lower number of impressions than expected for certain queries, it's generally a sign that your site was only visible for a small portion of the total impressions.

AI & SEO

Can images really boost your positions in traditional web results?

John Mueller Apr 21, 2021 ★★

For web results, keep in mind that your site can also appear in images within normal search results.

Domain Age & History Images & Videos