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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★★★ Is it true that the Google Indexing API is inaccessible to 99% of websites?
The Indexing API is limited to live streaming content and job postings. For other content, it is recommended to use sitemap files....
John Mueller Nov 15, 2019
★★★ Should you really block the indexing of internal search in e-commerce?
Google recommends not indexing internal search result pages on an e-commerce site. This can lead to an explosion in the number of indexed URLs without useful content....
John Mueller Nov 13, 2019
★★★ Is internal duplicate content really harmless for SEO?
Duplicate content within your own site does not lead to a penalty. It is typically viewed as natural and common....
John Mueller Nov 13, 2019
★★★ Should You Block Parameterized URLs in Robots.txt or Rely on Canonical Tags Instead?
John Mueller explained on Twitter that you should not use the robots.txt file to deindex parameterized URLs in favor of those same URLs without parameters, because the search engine cannot canonicaliz...
John Mueller Nov 12, 2019
★★★ Is There a Specific Loading Time You Should Target to Rank Well on Google?
In a video from the #AskGoogleWebmasters series, John Mueller and Martin Splitt explain that there is no "ideal page loading speed" for Google. Basically, ranking is done between "values" like "very g...
John Mueller Nov 12, 2019
★★★ Should You Build Your XML Sitemap from a Third-Party Crawl or Use an Integrated Solution?
John Mueller indicated on Reddit that it wasn't a good thing to create an XML Sitemap file based on a site crawl by a third-party tool, as URLs can be missed and this can affect server response time d...
John Mueller Nov 12, 2019
★★★ Does Googlebot really ignore Chrome's security restrictions?
Chrome's security changes, such as blocking mixed content or not supporting TLS 1.0/1.1, do not apply to Googlebot. These security measures do not directly influence Googlebot's crawling ability on si...
Google Nov 06, 2019
★★★ Is your mobile version truly ready for Mobile-First indexing?
After the shift to Mobile-First indexing, content is primarily indexed from the mobile version. If the mobile version isn't correctly set up, it can cause visibility issues for certain URLs in search ...
Google Nov 06, 2019
★★★ Do mixed HTTP/HTTPS contents really affect your Google ranking?
Mixed content can pose a security issue. While it does not directly affect SEO, it is advisable to resolve it to avoid impacting the user experience, as some elements may not display correctly....
Google Nov 06, 2019
★★ Is it true that Google penalizes duplicate content?
Duplicate content is often misunderstood. Google does not automatically penalize sites with duplicate content but tries to choose the most appropriate content to display in search results. The key is ...
Google Nov 06, 2019
★★★ Should You Split Your XML Sitemap Into Multiple Smaller Files Instead of One Large File?
John Mueller explained during a Reddit discussion that there is no ideal size for an XML Sitemap file. Generally speaking, he added that the size of this file does not influence the crawling of the si...
John Mueller Nov 04, 2019
★★★ Does BERT Really Require No Technical SEO Optimization Whatsoever?
Danny Sullivan reiterated on Twitter, as he typically does after almost every "core update," that there were no real modifications (particularly technical ones) to anticipate on your site following BE...
Danny Sullivan Nov 04, 2019
★★★ Should You Use Nofollow Links Internally to Sculpt PageRank?
John Mueller has indicated that, in his opinion, using the nofollow attribute in internal linking to do "internal PageRank sculpting" was a waste of time and that it doesn't work....
John Mueller Nov 04, 2019
★★★ Should You Use Google's Change of Address Tool When Merging Multiple Websites?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that the change of address tool in Search Console should only be used when changing the address of a website. However, when merging two or more websites, this tool is...
John Mueller Nov 04, 2019
★★ Should you really use the URL removal tool to manage redirects?
The URL removal tool in Search Console should not be used for URLs that simply redirect, as it does not change indexing. Use it only if you must urgently prevent content from appearing in search resul...
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
★★★ Do social signals really impact Google rankings?
Google does not rely on social signals such as Facebook 'likes' for ranking, mainly because of the volume and rapid variability of social content, making its update challenging....
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
★★★ Does Schema markup for the main object really determine the display of rich snippets?
In order for rich snippets to be displayed in search results, it is crucial to use Schema markup that matches the main object of the page. If the object is a poem, and that type only works with the 'c...
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
★★★ Why doesn’t Google always reward the best content?
If your site is objectively better than others in search results for a given topic, Google’s engineers may view this as a problem to solve. Ensure your site stands out significantly in quality compare...
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
★★★ Is it true that hidden content in tabs and accordions is actually considered by Google?
In mobile-first indexing, Google treats loaded but hidden content, such as that behind a tab or dropdown menu, as ordinary page content, as long as it is already in the default HTML....
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
★★★ Is it really enough to have great content and solid techniques to rank on Google?
For better visibility in search results, it's recommended to have a technically solid site and to create unique and attractive content that stands out in quality and meets user needs....
John Mueller Nov 01, 2019
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