What does Google say about SEO? /
The Content category compiles all official Google statements regarding textual content creation, optimization, and evaluation in the context of search engine optimization. It encompasses fundamental aspects such as editorial quality, E-E-A-T criteria (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), duplicate content issues, and thin content concerns. Google's positions on these topics are critical for understanding how algorithms assess the relevance and added value of web pages. This category also includes recommendations on structural elements like headings (H1, H2, Hn tags), meta descriptions, and semantic optimization. With the introduction of the Helpful Content system, Google has reinforced the importance of a user-first approach rather than a search engine-first methodology. SEO professionals will find here official guidance for creating content that meets algorithmic expectations while delivering genuine value to users, a balance that has become essential for achieving and maintaining strong rankings in search results. These declarations provide clarity on content strategies that align with Google's evolving quality standards and ranking factors.
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★★ Can hreflang be used for pages that are only partially translated?
It is acceptable to include pages in a hreflang set even if the content is not translated, as long as the page template is translated. Not including these pages is also a viable option....
John Mueller Dec 06, 2019
★★★ Should you really test indexability before migrating to React or another JavaScript framework?
Implementing JavaScript frameworks such as React can have a significant impact on SEO. It's advisable to conduct tests on pages before proceeding with a full migration to ensure that content remains i...
John Mueller Dec 06, 2019
★★ Should you really reach out to the webmaster before filing a DMCA for syndicated content?
If another site publishes your content without permission, it is advisable to directly approach the webmaster of the site in question to discuss the removal of the infringing content. Google recommend...
Google Dec 05, 2019
★★★ Does JavaScript lazy loading really block Google from indexing your content?
Lazy loading configurations and JavaScript structures must be implemented correctly for the Googlebot to index content beyond the initial resources or visible elements on a page....
John Mueller Nov 28, 2019
★★ Can you really index a URL blocked by robots.txt?
Google can index the URL even if its content is blocked by robots.txt, assuming that the content might be relevant based on the internal or external links pointing to it....
John Mueller Nov 28, 2019
★★★ Does Google still struggle with dynamic URLs?
Google may have difficulties with dynamically generated URLs when they redirect or duplicate the content of the homepage. Clear structures for parameters can prevent misinterpretations....
John Mueller Nov 28, 2019
★★★ What can you truly expect from Google Search Console to optimize your SEO?
With Google Search Console, you can discover how Google crawls and indexes your pages, fix crawl errors, submit updated content to the Google index, and monitor search performance trends by queries, c...
Daniel Waisberg Nov 27, 2019
★★★ Does improving site speed really enhance Google’s crawl frequency and ranking?
Improving your site's speed can indeed increase crawl frequency if Google needs to access more URLs. However, crawl frequency does not guarantee a better ranking; it simply allows for quicker updates ...
John Mueller Nov 26, 2019
★★★ Do Country Selection Interstitials Really Block Your Pages from Being Indexed?
Using an interstitial for country selection can block indexing if it prevents Googlebot from seeing the main content of the page. A banner is recommended to avoid this issue....
John Mueller Nov 26, 2019
★★★ Can a Backlink Still Pass SEO Value if the Source Page Isn't Indexed?
John Mueller reminded us on Twitter that a backlink is only taken into account if the link is present in a page indexed by the search engine. If a link exists but the page containing it disappears or ...
John Mueller Nov 25, 2019
★★★ Does Google Really Penalize Websites Using Outdated HTML Code?
John Mueller reminded us on Twitter that Google does not penalize sites that use "old version" HTML, the use of tables, the absence of CSS, the fact that the HTML code does not pass the W3C Validator,...
John Mueller Nov 25, 2019
★★ Is it really necessary to self-host your website to improve rankings?
If you choose to create a separate website for your business, it will require more effort, but you will have the ability to precisely decide the appearance and content of the site, thus providing bett...
Google Nov 21, 2019
★★★ Should You Really Set a Target Country in Search Console for International SEO?
John Mueller reminded us on Twitter that indicating a target country for a site in Search Console does not prevent it from appearing in the Google version for other countries. For example, if you indi...
John Mueller Nov 18, 2019
★★★ Does Googlebot really click your buttons to index dynamic content?
Googlebot does not click on elements to load additional content. Thus, dynamic content loaded via JavaScript without a distinct URL may not be indexed....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Is Mobile-First Indexing a Game Changer for Desktop Ranking?
With mobile-first indexing, Google indexes a site's mobile version instead of the desktop version. This means that mobile content becomes the foundation for indexing and ranking, even for desktop sear...
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Do rich results really depend on the overall quality of the site?
To display rich results, we need technically correct structured data, logically appropriate markup, and a high-quality website. If you see rich results using a 'site:' query, focus on improving the si...
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Should you really ditch infinite scroll to enhance your indexing?
To ensure good indexing, it is advisable to maintain normal links for pagination rather than infinite scrolling or AJAX techniques, especially for mobile versions of websites....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Do big images really enhance your visibility in Google Discover?
In Google Discover, visual content, such as large images, tends to attract user attention more effectively....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★ Are accented characters in URLs really treated as synonyms by Google?
Special characters in URLs such as accented letters are treated as automatic synonyms in Google search, unless indicated otherwise by user-synonym context....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Do 302 redirects really penalize SEO less than 301?
A 302 redirect does not negatively affect rankings like a 301 redirect does, as it does not indicate a permanent URL change. This plays an important role in the context of temporary redirects....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
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