What does Google say about SEO?

Does Google Search Console finally remember your filters every time you switch between properties?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★

Search Console has updated the performance report to make it easier to preserve filters and parameters when switching between web properties. This change stems from user feedback and additional improvements are planned.

JavaScript & Technical SEO Web Performance Search Console

Should you worry about Google removing the cache link and cache: operator?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★★

Google has removed the cached page link and cache operator. This change does not affect your site's visibility in search results, so no action is required. A link to Internet Archive has been added.

Domain Age & History Links & Backlinks Web Performance

Is the meta noarchive tag still worth using after Google killed its cache feature?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★★

With the removal of cached pages, the meta noarchive tag no longer has any functionality for Google Search and has been removed from the documentation. It is acceptable to keep it on your pages because it does nothing for Google Search, but you could...

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Pagination & Structure PDF & Files Web Performance

Should you really worry about the srsltid parameter in e-commerce URLs for SEO?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★★

The srsltid parameter comes from Merchant Center auto-tagging for e-commerce sites and is used to provide conversion metrics. This parameter is added after search results are complete and does not come from crawling or indexation. It is therefore not...

Crawl & Indexing E-commerce

Why is Google suddenly refreshing its documentation on video SEO, title links, and crawlers?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★

Google has updated its documentation pages concerning video SEO, title links, Google crawlers, and core updates. The team is encouraging feedback via feedback links to further improve clarity.

Algorithms Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks PDF & Files

Should you really restrict the Indexing API to specific content types only?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★

Google has clarified in its documentation that the Indexing API is truly only for explicitly mentioned content types.

Content Crawl & Indexing JavaScript & Technical SEO PDF & Files

Can you really use URLs with hash symbols as canonical tags, or will Google ignore them?

John Mueller Nov 13, 2024 ★★★

Google has clarified in its documentation that URLs containing a hash symbol (hash) cannot be used for canonicalization.

Crawl & Indexing Domain Name PDF & Files

Should You Really Distribute Static Content Across Multiple Domains to Improve Crawling?

John Mueller Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

In a post published on LinkedIn, John Mueller advises distributing the loading of static content, such as images, across subdomains or separate domains in case of crawl issues. However, he specifies that this approach is not necessary for the majorit...

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Images & Videos JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name Social Media

How Can You Manage Multi-Version URLs to Maximize Your SEO Visibility?

John Mueller Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

On LinkedIn, John Mueller advised site owners with multiple versions (APIs, specifications, annual editions, etc.) to use a stable URL for their site's current version. For example, it can be beneficial to add versioned directories to make the curren...

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name Pagination & Structure Social Media

Is duplicate content really slowing down your site's crawl rate?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★

When duplicate content exists at large scale on a site, it can cause a slowdown in page crawling. This is not something that should keep you awake at night, but it is worth considering for optimization purposes.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Should you prioritize the HTML tag or HTTP header to declare a canonical URL?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

To tell Google which URL to index among multiple versions of the same content, you can specify the canonical URL either in an HTML tag or in an HTTP header. This helps Google make its decision.

Content Crawl & Indexing HTTPS & Security AI & SEO Domain Name

Should you really redirect all non-canonical URLs with 301s for SEO?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

For external links pointing to non-canonical URLs, configuring a 301 redirect to the canonical URL is recommended. This type of redirect avoids performance impacts because browsers memorize the redirect and prevent unnecessary network round-trips.

Crawl & Indexing Links & Backlinks Domain Name Web Performance Redirects Search Console

Should you really merge your pages to boost your SEO performance?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★

It is advisable to regularly revisit your site's pages to identify opportunities for simplifying and combining similar content. This strategic approach helps maintain an optimized site over time.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO

Does duplicate content really penalize your site on Google?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

Duplicate content does not affect the perceived quality of a site by Google. It is not a negative factor for rankings, but it can cause practical challenges such as difficulty tracking performance and competition between similar pages.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Web Performance Search Console

Should you really worry about duplicate content alerts in Google Search Console?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

The statuses 'duplicate without user-selected canonical', 'alternate page with proper canonical tag' or 'duplicate Google chose different canonical than user' in Search Console are not really problems. They simply indicate that Google has indexed the...

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Images & Videos Domain Name Search Console

Does Google really ignore your canonical tags? Here's why it happens more often than you think

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

The canonical tag is treated as a hint by Google Search and not as an absolute directive. Google can choose a different URL than the one specified because this tag is often used incorrectly by site owners.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Domain Name

Is Google ignoring your canonical tag? Here's why your internal links might be to blame

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★★

When Google selects a canonical URL different from the one you've declared, it's often because internal links point to a different URL than the one defined as canonical. You need to correct these internal links to point toward your desired canonical ...

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name

Why does merging similar pages boost your SEO even without duplicate content issues?

Martin Splitt Nov 12, 2024 ★★

Rather than maintaining multiple very similar pages, even if Google doesn't flag them as duplicates, it's advisable to combine them. This makes it easier for users to find information, simplifies reporting in Search Console, and reduces site clutter.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Search Console

Is your SEO expertise blinding you to what your users actually need?

Iva Barisic Hafner Oct 31, 2024 ★★★

A fundamental principle of UX research is that you are not your users. Once you develop your site or product, you become an expert in it and it becomes very difficult to adopt the perspective of a novice. This is the curse of knowledge.

E-commerce AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO

Is your site losing traffic because of poor UX? Here's how to know when research is critical for SEO.

Iva Barisic Hafner Oct 31, 2024 ★★★

You should consider UX research if you notice high bounce rates, low conversions, negative feedback, unexplained traffic drops, or if you don't know who your users are or what they need. Nearly all websites can benefit from some form of user research...

Domain Age & History AI & SEO