What does Google say about SEO?

Why can Google reveal its crawling secrets but not its ranking secrets?

Gary Illyes Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

Google can explain crawling and indexing in more detail without fear of creating exploitable spam vectors. Spam is not a major concern for these aspects, unlike ranking where more details could pose problems.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Pagination & Structure Penalties & Spam

Is it really worth your time to provide feedback on Google documentation?

Gary Illyes Dec 08, 2020 ★★

Google strongly encourages users to submit feedback on its official documentation. Even though responses are not always visible, this feedback is read, analyzed, and leads to many tangible improvements, sometimes months after submission.

Domain Age & History PDF & Files

Why does Google refuse to provide an ordered list of ranking factors?

John Mueller Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

It is impossible to deduce or simplify Google’s ranking into an ordered list of factors to check off. The paths to achieve a good ranking are multiple and vary depending on queries, sites, and context. One must work on a diversity of factors.

Content AI & SEO

Can we really measure the weight of a Google ranking factor?

John Mueller Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

It is very difficult to say that a particular ranking factor has a precise effect or constitutes X% of the ranking. For some queries or sites, a factor may be decisive; for others, it may play no role at all. The weight varies greatly depending on th...

Content AI & SEO

Should you really stop concentrating on just one ranking factor to stabilize your positions?

John Mueller Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

To maintain a stable positioning, it's essential to ensure that the site excels in a wide variety of different factors rather than blindly focusing on a single element. The diversity of positive signals allows for relevance in multiple ways.

AI & SEO Pagination & Structure

Why might your ranking drop even if your site remains excellent?

Martin Splitt Dec 08, 2020 ★★

Even if a site remains excellent, its ranking can drop if other sites emerge with better or more up-to-date information. This does not necessarily reflect a decline in quality for the site but rather the evolution of the competitive landscape on the ...

Domain Age & History AI & SEO

Can user experience really tip the scales in your favor against tough competitors?

John Mueller Dec 08, 2020 ★★

Beyond sheer relevance, factors like HTTPS or speed can influence ranking. When multiple sites are equally relevant, Google may favor the one that provides a better user experience or facilitates access to the content.

Content HTTPS & Security Web Performance

Should you really prioritize server-side rendering over JavaScript for critical SEO content?

Martin Splitt Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

For content you consider important for SEO, it is better to manage it server-side rather than client-side with JavaScript. This gives you more control over what is indexed and how it happens, especially with content from third-party services.

Content Crawl & Indexing JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks

Does the central content of a page really carry more SEO weight than the header and footer?

Gary Illyes Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

Google detects the main part of the content at the center of the page and assigns it more weight for ranking in terms of relevance and theme. Content located outside of this central area, such as in the margins or footer, has less impact on SEO.

Domain Age & History Content

Should you really mark all comment links with rel=UGC?

Gary Illyes Dec 08, 2020 ★★★

For links in comments (user-generated content), it is recommended to use the rel=UGC attribute, or at minimum rel=nofollow, in order to comply with Google's guidelines and indicate that these links are not editorialized by the site owner.

Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Does Google Really Index Hidden CSS Content (display:none and visibility:hidden)?

Martin Splitt Dec 07, 2020 ★★★

Martin Splitt (Google Zurich) explained on Twitter that Google treats the Visibility:Hidden and Display:None codes in the same way: text "hidden" in this manner will be read, analyzed by the algorithm, and potentially displayed in search results if n...

Algorithms Content AI & SEO Pagination & Structure Social Media

Can Google Still Rank Your Page for Old Keywords That Were Removed from the Content?

John Mueller Dec 07, 2020 ★★★

John Mueller indicated on Twitter that Google can continue to rank a page for an "old query", even if the terms that constitute it have disappeared from the page at some point: "If we know that text was previously on a page, we can continue to show t...

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

Why does Google share SEO insights before their official release?

Martin Splitt Dec 07, 2020 ★★

The podcast allows sharing the thoughts and work of the Google Search teams, including elements that occur before the information becomes public. It entails sharing snippets of daily work as well as discoveries made during events and on Twitter.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Social Media

Do Google podcasts reveal more than the official documentation?

John Mueller Dec 07, 2020 ★★

A large portion of the podcast content revolves around topics that are not officially documented or information that leads to what eventually gets documented. It is about sharing the process and thinking behind decisions rather than formal directives...

Domain Age & History Content PDF & Files Social Media

Nofollow: Did Google really implement its changes on the announced dates?

Gary Illyes Dec 07, 2020 ★★★

Google announced two dates for nofollow changes: September 1 for potential use in ranking algorithms, and March 1 for use in crawling and indexing. No official announcement has been made regarding their actual use on these dates.

Algorithms Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Will Google finally utilize nofollow links to speed up the discovery of new domains?

Gary Illyes Dec 07, 2020 ★★

Google is developing projects to use nofollow links to help webmasters get their new sites discovered faster, especially when redirecting to a new domain with a nofollow link.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name

Can nofollow links really help Google spot malicious sites?

Gary Illyes Dec 07, 2020 ★★

Nofollow links could be helpful in discovering malicious sites, such as those that force downloads or spread spam. Google is studying this possibility but has not made any concrete announcements.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Penalties & Spam

Should we expect a shake-up of nofollow links in Google’s algorithm?

Gary Illyes Dec 07, 2020 ★★

Gary Illyes is working on three sub-projects testing the use of nofollow links. If any of these are launched, Google will announce it publicly as a ranking official has requested public communication.

AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Should you really overlook the nofollow attribute in your SEO strategy?

John Mueller Dec 07, 2020 ★★★

The changes to nofollow aim to rectify errors on sites and gain a better understanding of problematic parts of the web. Webmasters do not need to optimize or modify anything if they are already doing things correctly.

Links & Backlinks

Are Core Web Vitals really the only three metrics that matter to Google?

Martin Splitt Dec 07, 2020 ★★★

Current Core Web Vitals include three metrics: First Input Delay (interactivity), Largest Contentful Paint (main content display), and Cumulative Layout Shift (visual stability). These metrics represent Google’s best current understanding of what con...

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Images & Videos JavaScript & Technical SEO Pagination & Structure Web Performance