What does Google say about SEO?

Is it true that Google penalizes syndicated content as duplicate content?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

When the same article is published on multiple sites, Google recognizes it as duplicate content and tries to choose a version to display. It is not guaranteed that the version from the original site will be the one displayed.

Content Discover & News AI & SEO Local Search

Do naked URLs as anchors really kill the SEO context of your links?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

Links with the URL as anchor text (naked URLs) are recognized by Google as normal links, but without useful context. The lack of a meaningful anchor loses the main contextual element of the link.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name

Does anchor text really outweigh surrounding context for SEO?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

The anchor text of a link is the main contextual element used by Google. The context of the page containing the link is secondary and less important than the anchor itself.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Does mobile-friendliness actually impact desktop SEO?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

Mobile compatibility is a factor specifically used for mobile search results, not for desktop results. If no one is searching for your site on mobile, the lack of mobile compatibility is not critical for desktop.

Mobile SEO

Does the traffic generated by your backlinks really influence your Google rankings?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

Google does not use referral traffic from links or the fact that users click on links in its ranking algorithms. PageRank focuses solely on the link itself, not on the traffic it generates.

Algorithms Domain Age & History AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Is it true that Search Console only analyzes a portion of your site’s pages?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★

The aggregated reports in Search Console (mobile usability, structured data, speed) are based on a sample of site pages, not on all indexed pages. The size of this sample may decrease without indicating a problem.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO Web Performance Search Console

Should you really index all paginated pages to avoid losing products?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

Putting a noindex on paginated pages (starting from page 2) can prevent Google from discovering the products present on these pages and the following pages. It is recommended to allow the indexing of the main paginated pages.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing E-commerce

Should you really favor noindex over canonical for e-commerce facets?

John Mueller Sep 25, 2020 ★★★

For e-commerce facets that are not important landing pages, it is better to use noindex rather than rel canonical. Canonical indicates that the pages are equivalent, whereas noindex clearly states not to index.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing E-commerce AI & SEO

Do Chrome and Android Really Impact Google Rankings?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

Google does not use data from Chrome or Android for ranking in search results. This data is highly noisy and can be easily manipulated, as shown by the example of Direct Hit which used click data and was manipulated.

AI & SEO

Why does Google refuse to disclose how it detects spam?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

Google cannot disclose details on spam detection because that would allow spammers to use this information to manipulate the system. This information is deliberately kept confidential to protect the quality of the results.

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

Is AMP really a ranking factor in Google results?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

AMP is not a ranking factor in the main organic results. Initially, AMP was required to appear in the Top Stories carousel, but it is not considered a ranking factor in the traditional sense.

AI & SEO Mobile SEO

Are user tests truly essential for succeeding in SEO?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

Google strongly recommends that businesses conduct real user testing. What creators think is the best content for their users is not necessarily what the users themselves consider the best. Testing reveals valuable insights.

Content AI & SEO

Is it true that Google hides its hundreds of ranking factors from us?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

Google uses hundreds of ranking factors that are constantly changing. Discussing all these factors is not considered useful because there aren't many actionable elements. The focus should be on user needs.

AI & SEO

Is AMP truly beneficial for users or just locking the web down for Google's gain?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

The aim of AMP is not to break the web or create a Google-centric web, but to create a fast and efficient web for users, particularly in emerging countries where the web is dominated by mobile apps or proprietary walled gardens.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Mobile SEO

Do featured snippets really generate more qualified traffic than traditional positions?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

According to studies and experiences shared by the community, featured snippets often generate more qualified traffic to websites. The traffic gained is of higher quality even if it may be less significant in volume.

Content Featured Snippets & SERP

Should you stop tweeting at Google and start using the 'Submit Feedback' button in Search Console?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

Google strongly encourages the use of the 'Submit Feedback' button in Search Console instead of Twitter. Feedback through this channel provides quantitative data that is genuinely taken into account to develop new features, such as the speed report.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Web Performance Social Media Search Console

Is Google really trying to send traffic to your site or keep it for itself?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

Google's fundamental aim is to connect users with content publishers. Google isn't looking to keep traffic to itself but rather to create relevant connections between searchers and content creators.

Content AI & SEO

Does Google really test its updates before deploying them in production?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

During the launch of Evergreen Googlebot, Google did not just test in production. The team ensured that they would not cause negative effects to websites before deployment, demonstrating a responsible approach to updates.

Crawl & Indexing E-commerce

Should you really prioritize HTTPS and loading speed to rank on Google?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★★

SEO technical priorities include HTTPS and site speed. These recommendations stem from a 'user-first' approach. Google regularly changes its criteria, but these technical elements remain important as they improve user experience.

Content HTTPS & Security AI & SEO Web Performance

Why do Google Developer Advocates intentionally ignore the details of ranking?

Martin Splitt Sep 23, 2020 ★★

Martin Splitt deliberately maintains a distance from the details of ranking algorithms to better represent the community both internally and externally, and because he is not good at keeping secrets. This separation helps maintain objectivity.

Algorithms AI & SEO