What does Google say about SEO?

How does Google really measure user satisfaction in its search results?

Elizabeth Tucker Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

Google evaluates quality through several methods: user surveys (How helpful are these results), human evaluation of query samples for relevance, and behavioral analysis to detect if people find what they're looking for.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO

Are Google's Quality Rater Guidelines really the secret manual for SEO success?

Elizabeth Tucker Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

Publicly published Quality Rater Guidelines serve as transparency on what Google is trying to accomplish and allow validation that internal metrics properly orient product and engineering teams.

E-commerce AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO

Why does Google distrust query volume as a quality indicator?

Elizabeth Tucker Jun 27, 2024 ★★

Google never uses the number of queries as a short-term evaluation metric in experiments, because an increase can paradoxically signal that users are struggling to find what they're looking for.

AI & SEO

Does Google really prioritize search bugs based on frequency and severity, and what does this mean for your SEO strategy?

Elizabeth Tucker Jun 27, 2024 ★★

Google prioritizes search issues along two axes: frequency (how many users are affected) and severity (impact severity). Even rare problems like financial scams are prioritized if they are severe.

AI & SEO

Should you still use URL annotations for separate mobile and desktop sites?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

For sites with separate URLs for mobile and desktop, it is still recommended to implement URL annotations on both versions to help Google understand the content correctly, even after the end of desktop crawling on July 5, 2024.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO Domain Name

Should you still separate URLs for mobile and desktop?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

Google does not recommend having separate URLs for mobile and desktop versions of a website, as this structure can complicate many aspects of site management.

Mobile SEO Domain Name Pagination & Structure

How does Google handle reports of copied content?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

When a spam site copies your content and becomes the canonical URL, use Google's official form to report spam pages, low-quality content, or abuse.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Penalties & Spam

How can you optimize parameterized URLs using canonical tags?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

Canonical tags can be used on URLs that contain parameters and are an effective way to help Google identify the appropriate URL.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Domain Name

How can you effectively use the DMCA process to safeguard your SEO content?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★

In the event of a copyright infringement in Google search results, there is a DMCA process to request removal, but this is a legal process that must be carried out with legal experts.

AI & SEO

Why doesn’t the canonical tag guarantee indexing?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

While the canonical tag helps identify the correct URL, it does not guarantee the indexing of the page. Indexing depends on many other factors, including the quality of the page.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Domain Name

Should you prioritize user experience in SEO for outdated content?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

To decide between rewriting old content or creating a new URL, Google advises thinking first about users. If users are accessing old versions or searching by version number, rewriting content would prevent them from finding the information they seek.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Domain Name

Why is the URL Inspection Tool essential for JavaScript SEO rendering?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★★

For content loaded via asynchronous JavaScript, use the URL Inspection Tool in Search Console to verify how Googlebot actually sees your site, whether in HTML or through screenshots.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Search Console

How does Search Console make it easier to understand page rendering?

Google Jun 27, 2024 ★★

When content display methods are complex, testing with Search Console and general tools helps understand the status and how Google views the pages.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Search Console

Why Should a Sudden Spike in Googlebot Crawling Worry You Rather Than Please You?

Gary Illyes Jun 25, 2024 ★★★

In a LinkedIn post, Gary Illyes explained that sudden spikes in Googlebot activity could indicate a problem. The most common first reason is the presence of infinite spaces (calendar pages, infinitely filterable product lists) that can overload the b...

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing E-commerce AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Links & Backlinks Mobile SEO Social Media Search Console

Why Doesn't Google Always Rank Your Original Content First?

John Mueller Jun 25, 2024 ★★

In the latest edition of SEO Google Office Hours, John Mueller explained that search results don't always display the original source of content. When content is syndicated or republished on other platforms, these platforms may appear in search resul...

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Images & Videos

Why does Google discover your pages without indexing them?

Martin Splitt Jun 25, 2024 ★★★

Google can discover pages on a website without necessarily indexing them. The series offers tips for understanding and resolving this common situation.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

Is mastering Googlebot's crawl process becoming essential for your SEO success?

Martin Splitt Jun 25, 2024 ★★

Google recommends website owners understand how Googlebot explores their website to better optimize their presence in search results.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO

What are Google's official recommendations for accelerating image loading on your website?

Martin Splitt Jun 25, 2024 ★★

Google provides practical tips and advice for optimizing image loading speed on a website, which helps improve performance and user experience.

Domain Age & History Images & Videos Web Performance Search Console

Should You Still Optimize Your Desktop Site in the Mobile-First Era?

John Mueller Jun 18, 2024 ★★★

Following the transition to mobile-first indexing, John Mueller wanted to provide some clarifications by emphasizing that while Google now focuses on indexing mobile versions of websites, it remains crucial to maintain optimized desktop versions. He ...

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO

Should you really keep your XML sitemap lastmod dates up to date?

Gary Illyes Jun 18, 2024 ★★★

Gary Illyes explained that the "lastmod" signal present in sitemaps is treated in a binary fashion. In other words, Google either fully trusts it or ignores it.

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