What does Google say about 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

What Should You Do with Empty Pages to Optimize Your SEO?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

For empty pages awaiting content, Google recommends considering their usefulness to the user. If an author page currently lacks content or a biography, it's best to add a description or avoid creating the page right away.

Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO

How does Mobile-First Indexing affect your mobile SEO?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

After the implementation of Mobile-First Indexing, if the mobile content is significantly less developed than the desktop version, a drop in traffic can be expected because Google primarily indexes the mobile version and retrieves less information.

Content Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Mobile SEO

Does having separate URLs for mobile and desktop really hurt your images?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

When a site uses different URLs for mobile and desktop with different image URLs, the transition to Mobile-First Indexing may cause a temporary loss of traffic to images.

Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Images & Videos Mobile SEO Domain Name

Why do Google rankings keep changing?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

Rankings in search results are never completely stable. Positions can fluctuate regularly, even without a bug, due to the continuous evolution of algorithms and competition.

Algorithms AI & SEO Pagination & Structure

Why is Google focused on site reputation abuse regardless of the domain?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

The policy against site reputation abuse concerns the publication of third-party content without real oversight, regardless of the type of domain used (including .co.jp or governmental domains).

Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name

Should you use noindex on hosted third-party pages to stay in Google's good graces?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

If a site hosting third-party content uses the noindex tag on these pages, it aligns with Google's policy on site reputation abuse and is not seen as a violation.

Domain Age & History Content Crawl & Indexing

Why does Google keep its spam policies under wraps in SEO?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★

Google does not provide specific criteria beyond what is officially documented regarding spam policies, as this could aid spammers and create confusion among users.

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

Does buying an expired domain really boost your SEO?

Google May 30, 2024 ★★★

To determine if buying an expired domain is acceptable, one must ask why they are purchasing that specific domain. If the reason is that it had a good ranking in the past, it is probably a bad reason and potentially spam.

AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Domain Name Pagination & Structure Penalties & Spam