What does Google say about SEO?

Could verifying the rendered HTML rather than the DOM actually save your indexing?

Martin Splitt Dec 30, 2019 ★★★

If content is important to you, ensure that it is rendered correctly. Check the rendered HTML source code as it might be present in the DOM but not appear in the Google Search Console screenshot, especially if it is below the fold.

Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Search Console

Is Google finally able to properly crawl modern JavaScript on your site?

John Mueller Dec 30, 2019 ★★★

Google Search Console now supports arrow functions in JavaScript. If you're facing errors, try again as the support is now in place.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Search Console

Why does the URL Inspection Tool show a 200 code for a 301 redirect?

Martin Splitt Dec 30, 2019 ★★★

The URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console shows a 200 code for a 301 because it displays the final result after redirection, reflecting what Googlebot sees once the redirection process is completed.

Crawl & Indexing Domain Name Local Search Redirects Search Console

Does AMP really boost your ranking in Google, or is it just a myth?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Using AMP to improve page speed is smart, but it does not offer any SEO ranking boost. AMP should be seen as a way to speed up page loading, not as a magical obligation to enhance rankings in search results.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Mobile SEO Web Performance

Is loading speed really a key ranking factor?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Page loading speed is a ranking factor. Improving speed can benefit SEO, but it's just one of many factors considered by Google.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Web Performance

Does internal linking really circulate PageRank across your pages?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Internally, Google passes PageRank among the pages of the same site. Internal links play a crucial role in the discovery and significance of content.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

Do non-Latin characters in URLs really hurt your SEO?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★

Non-Latin characters can be used in URL paths for multilingual sites without negatively impacting SEO rankings.

Domain Name International SEO

Does publishing the same content across multiple sites kill your SEO?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Publishing identical content on multiple sites leads Google to select just one for ranking, which can result in the invisibility of other identical versions.

Content

Does the order of H1, H2, H3 tags still affect your SEO?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★

HTML headings help Google better understand the context of content on a page, but the order of H1, H2, H3 doesn't have a direct impact on rankings. It's more about providing information about the associated content.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO

Can rel=canonical really enhance your visibility if your content exists elsewhere?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Using the rel=canonical attribute can help designate a preferred version of content, thereby enhancing its visibility in search results, especially in cases of content duplication across multiple sites.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Is unique content really enough to stand out in the SERPs?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

Rather than copying content from other sites, it is crucial to produce unique and engaging content to stand out in search results and justify Google's promotion.

Content AI & SEO

Should you really implement a 301 redirect every time you change an URL?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★★

When changing URLs on a website, it is strongly recommended to use 301 redirects to guide users and bots to the new pages, thereby maintaining SEO continuity.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Domain Name Redirects

Does Google really interpret the intent behind each query to decide which type of page to rank?

John Mueller Dec 27, 2019 ★★

Google can interpret some queries as informational and others as transactional. This affects whether Google suggests blog pages or product pages in the results, based on the perceived orientation of the query.

Domain Age & History E-commerce AI & SEO

How Does Google Really Process Your XML Sitemap Files?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

John Mueller explained on Reddit that Google processes XML sitemap files like an "energy drink effect": "All XML sitemap files from a site are imported into one large common cup where they are mixed, slightly shaken, then handed back to Googlebot by ...

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name PDF & Files Search Console International SEO

How Does Google's Machine Learning Really Determine Canonicalization Criteria Weights?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

The same John Mueller explained during a webmaster hangout an example of how Google can use machine learning algorithms: "So, for example, we use machine learning for canonicalization. We have all these relevance criteria that we talked about before....

Algorithms Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Pagination & Structure Redirects

Do Blog Comments Carry as Much SEO Weight as Main Content?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

John Mueller explained during a hangout that comments on a blog are of course read by the search engine, and that this text is part of the "main content", as if it were a continuation of the article, and not as "secondary" content, supplementary, hav...

Content Discover & News AI & SEO

Does the difference between 301 and 302 redirects really matter for SEO?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

A 301 redirect is permanent, signaling that the final destination is kept, while a 302 redirect is temporary, indicating that the original URL will be checked back later. Use the appropriate type, but both work well for SEO.

AI & SEO Domain Name Redirects

Do keywords in URLs really impact your SEO?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

Keywords in URLs have an insignificant role for web pages, but they are often used for convenience in content management systems. However, for image files, keywords are helpful. For example, a descriptive filename like 'cuterobot.gif' is preferable t...

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Images & Videos Domain Name PDF & Files

Should you really focus on both technique and content to rank in SEO?

John Mueller Dec 23, 2019 ★★★

There is no secret to improving your SEO ranking. However, having a website based on a solid technical foundation with exceptional content is essential. Compare this to making the best cookie: you must use good ingredients and offer something distinc...

Content AI & SEO

Does the 'site:' operator really suffice for checking if your pages are indexed?

Google Dec 18, 2019 ★★★

To check if your website is indexed by Google, use the search 'site:' followed by your site's address on Google. If your site appears in the results, this means that Google has already indexed it.

Crawl & Indexing