What does Google say about SEO?

Do multiple IP addresses for the same domain harm your SEO according to Google?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

There is no issue for Google if a domain is accessible via multiple IP addresses. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) often employ this method to serve content more efficiently.

Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name

Should we really give up on rel=next and rel=prev tags now that Google is ignoring them?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Google no longer uses rel=next and rel=prev tags for discovering paginated content. If your pagination is currently functioning well, there is no need to change your configuration.

Content Pagination & Structure

Does robots.txt really block the indexing of your pages?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

The directives in robots.txt prevent the crawling of URLs but do not stop them from being indexed. Google can index a non-crawled URL if it receives numerous inbound links.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name

Can you really use hreflang for duplicate content across regions without SEO risks?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

It is acceptable to use hreflang to differentiate the same content between regional site versions (for example, Australia and New Zealand) without significant SEO issues.

Content Pagination & Structure International SEO

Does redirecting an infographic to an HTML page result in losing PageRank?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Redirecting an image URL to an HTML page generally does not transfer PageRank. It is advised to plan for the initial content release in HTML format if that is the final goal.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Images & Videos Links & Backlinks Domain Name Redirects

Should you really limit JavaScript in server-side rendering for Google?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

When using server-side rendering, ensure that you do not include any non-essential JavaScript in the HTML that is sent. Reduce the various URLs of JavaScript files by combining and minifying the files, and utilize a good caching system.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name PDF & Files Web Performance

Do temporary 503 errors really have a neutral impact on SEO?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

503 errors temporarily signal that the site is unavailable. If they are resolved quickly (within a few days), it should not have a major impact on SEO.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO

Do intrusive pop-ups on mobile really harm your SEO?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Intrusive pop-ups or interstitials on mobile can be problematic for mobile SEO. Google has explicitly flagged intrusive pop-ups as an issue affecting user experience on mobile.

Mobile SEO

Is Unique Content Really Enough to Ensure Google Indexing?

John Mueller Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Instead of simply compiling content from various sources, it is crucial to create unique, high-quality, and engaging content to stand out and ensure that Google considers it indexable and useful.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Why do your Top Stories on desktop vanish on mobile?

Google Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Google indicates that pages ranking in the Top Stories section on desktop may not rank the same way on mobile. It is crucial to check whether the page is relevant for mobile users, as a page can be optimized for a specific type of device.

Domain Age & History Mobile SEO

Should you still worry about rel='prev' and rel='next' for pagination?

Google Mar 22, 2019 ★★★

Google no longer supports rel='prev' and rel='next' tags. The search engine can understand pages even without these tags on paginated content. Sites should continue their current practices, as Google can comprehend paginated content without these sig...

Domain Age & History Content

How can you leverage Search Console to truly understand your Google visibility?

Martin Splitt Mar 20, 2019 ★★★

Search Console is an essential tool for assessing your website or application's visibility in Google search. It allows you to check the indexing of your pages, see when they were last crawled, and access live tests if necessary.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Search Console

Does the mobile compatibility test really reveal what Googlebot sees of your site?

Martin Splitt Mar 20, 2019 ★★★

Use the mobile compatibility test to evaluate how your site appears on mobile devices and gain insight into Googlebot's rendering. This includes screenshots and rendered source code, helping you identify missing elements or rendering issues.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO

Does Web Performance Really Affect Google Ranking?

Martin Splitt Mar 20, 2019 ★★★

The performance of your site plays a role in its ranking on Google. Using auditing tools like Lighthouse is recommended to enhance performance, accessibility, and SEO aspects of your site, contributing to a better user experience and improved ranking...

AI & SEO Web Performance Search Console

Why does Google never guarantee ranking retention during a site migration?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

When migrating part of your site to a new domain, Google must assess the pages individually, meaning you can't guarantee the same ranking as before. Each part will be treated independently.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Redirects

How can you access keyword data in the new Search Console?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

In the new Search Console, the Search Analytics section still allows you to see the keywords for which your pages rank, similar to the old version. However, you must have a verified site to view this data.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Search Console

Should we replace rel=prev/next with the canonical tag for pagination?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

Using rel=prev/next tags with different URL parameters is possible, but it is recommended to simplify and use a canonical tag pointing to the main URL to reduce duplicates.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Domain Name

Should you really remove your URL variants to boost your SEO?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

Google recommends reducing the number of URL variants and focusing on those that offer unique and meaningful value to users. Avoid automated combinations that generate thin content.

Content AI & SEO Domain Name

Should you really align structured data and visible content to avoid penalties?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

If structured data is hidden or does not match the content visible on the page, it can be seen as problematic. Structured data must accurately reflect the content visible to the user.

Domain Age & History Content Web Performance

Are toxic links really hurting your SEO or is Google simply ignoring them?

John Mueller Mar 19, 2019 ★★★

Google tries to neutralize the effects of non-compliant link building practices by ignoring problematic links. This means that these links are not taken into account for ranking.

AI & SEO Links & Backlinks