What does Google say about SEO?

Why is the removal tool not suitable for normalizing URLs?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

Using the removal tool to normalize URLs (for example, removing the HTTP version during an HTTPS migration) is a bad practice. The correct method is to use the canonical tag and 301 redirects.

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

Is the removal tool really a magic fix for your URLs?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

The removal tool does not permanently delete pages or images. It temporarily hides the URL from search results for a maximum of 6 months. After this period, the URL reappears in the results unless further action is taken.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Images & Videos Domain Name

Why should you avoid the removal tool during site migrations?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

Do not use the removal tool to take down the old site during a migration. The proper approach is to implement 301 redirects from the old site to the new one.

Domain Age & History Redirects

What’s the best way to permanently delete content without leaving any SEO traces?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

To permanently remove content: delete the file from the server (for all users), add password protection (for certain users), or use noindex for bots (to exclude from search results).

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO PDF & Files

How can you effectively leverage Google's removal tool?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

The URL must match exactly: uppercase/lowercase, with or without a trailing slash. Use the exact URL as it appears in search results. Tracking parameters should be removed, as well as anchors (#).

AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Domain Name

Is it true that deleting URLs won't fix your manual penalties?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

Using the removal tool to erase penalized or problematic pages from an expired domain does not work. The correct method is to submit a reconsideration request explaining the situation to Google.

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

Why are ranking fluctuations a normal part of SEO?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

Rankings are never completely stable. Positions can rise and fall regularly even in the absence of bugs or technical issues. This is a normal behavior of the algorithm.

Algorithms Content AI & SEO Pagination & Structure

Could Mobile-First Indexing be harming your SEO traffic?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

If the mobile version intentionally contains less content than the desktop version, enabling Mobile-First Indexing is likely to lead to a decrease in traffic because Google accesses less information from the page.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing Mobile SEO

Why doesn't domain type impact site reputation abuse?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

Site Reputation Abuse refers to the publishing of third-party content without oversight from the main owner, regardless of the type of domain used (.co.jp or otherwise). It’s not about the domain, but about editorial control.

Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name

Is it really impossible to selectively target image indexing?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

It is not possible to block image indexing in Google Images while retaining thumbnails in web search results. Robots.txt or HTTP headers block access everywhere, preventing Google from recognizing data and tags.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing HTTPS & Security Images & Videos

Should you use 'noindex' to manage hosted content and protect your site's reputation?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

If the site hosting third-party content uses the noindex tag on these pages, it complies with the policy against site reputation abuse and will not be considered a violation.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing

How can you regain Google's trust using lastmod tags?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

If lastmod in the XML sitemap has been used incorrectly (fake dates to force crawling), Google will recognize it and ignore it. However, if the lastmod becomes accurate again, Google will eventually trust it once more.

Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO PDF & Files Search Console

Is relying on an expired domain's past ranking a bad move?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

When buying an expired domain, ask yourself why you're choosing this domain over another. If the reason is that this domain had a good ranking in the past, it's likely a poor reason and a misuse.

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

Does a temporary URL removal really take effect within 24 hours?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

When a temporary URL removal request is made through Search Console, the page disappears from search results within a maximum of 24 hours. However, indexing is not removed, and the page will reappear after 6 months.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Search Console

Why won't Google reveal their anti-spam criteria?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

Google does not provide detailed criteria beyond what is officially documented regarding spam policies, as doing so could assist spammers and create confusion for users.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO PDF & Files Penalties & Spam

Should you be worried about prefix deletion affecting your SEO traffic?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

The prefix deletion option in Search Console removes all pages under a given directory. Using this option on the root of the domain deletes the entire site from the results and reduces organic traffic to zero.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Search Console

Why does the removal tool only temporarily conceal your content?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

The Google Search Console removal tool does not actually delete pages or images. It temporarily blocks their display in search results for a maximum of 6 months. To achieve permanent deletion, actions must be taken at the server level.

Domain Age & History AI & SEO Images & Videos Search Console

Did you know that Google removes multiple versions of a URL at once?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

When a single URL removal request is submitted, Google automatically deletes 4 versions of the URL: with/without www and http/https. This multiple deletion can be unintentional for the site owner.

HTTPS & Security AI & SEO Domain Name

Why is the removal tool unsuitable for canonicalization?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

The removal tool should never be used for the canonicalization of URLs. For instance, during an HTTPS migration, removing the HTTP versions via this tool will also delete all other versions of the site.

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

Why is it crucial to redirect during a site migration?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

When migrating a site, do not use the removal tool to take down the old site. The correct method is to implement 301 redirects from the old site to the new site.

Domain Age & History Redirects