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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★★★ Should you really keep 301 redirects indefinitely after an HTTPS migration?
During an HTTPS migration, it is recommended to keep 301 redirects indefinitely. This ensures that Google understands the content transfer. Removing these redirects is not advisable unless there is no...
Google Sep 05, 2017
★★ Does duplicate content really trigger a manual penalty on an e-commerce site?
If manual actions are applied for duplicate content or low-quality content issues, they should be taken seriously. However, a few duplications are usually not enough to trigger a manual action....
John Mueller Sep 05, 2017
★★★ Is it enough to rely solely on SEO techniques to secure a top ranking?
Following technical SEO recommendations helps Google to better understand and index your content, but it does not necessarily guarantee that your site will be ranked in the top position if the content...
John Mueller Sep 05, 2017
★ Can We Still Trust Google's Statements About the Panda Filter?
Gary Illyes explained on Twitter that Google had changed its approach to the Panda filter and that what was true 5 years ago wasn't necessarily true today. It's worth noting that a year ago, John Muel...
John Mueller Sep 04, 2017
★ Should You Build One Multi-Topic Website or Multiple Niche Sites for Better SEO?
John Mueller explained during a hangout that, in his opinion, it was better to create a single website, offering silos dedicated to specific topics, rather than numerous websites, each dealing with a ...
John Mueller Sep 04, 2017
★★★ Does the Meta Robots Noarchive Tag Actually Hurt Your Google Rankings?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that using the meta robots "noarchive" tag (which prevents the cached version of a page from being displayed in Google search results) has no negative impact on the r...
John Mueller Sep 04, 2017
★★★ Should You Really Remove All Hash (#) Links to Boost Your SEO?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that Google completely ignores links like <a href="#"> (often used, for example, to open pop-up windows) since they lead "nowhere" according to John......
John Mueller Sep 04, 2017
★★ Should You Really Stop Trying to Understand Google's Algorithms to Do Better SEO?
When an internet user asked him a question about the "LSTM" algorithm (which we still haven't fully understood what it's about), John Mueller explained on Twitter that you should work on a website in ...
John Mueller Sep 04, 2017
★★★ How can you set your e-commerce site apart to avoid duplicate manufacturer content?
Successful e-commerce sites do not simply display the information provided by manufacturers. They add value by testing products, providing unique descriptions, and including user reviews to enhance th...
Google Aug 31, 2017
★★★ Can Google really ignore your duplicate content even with canonicals in place?
Google might not index duplicate information found on multiple pages. Use practices like defining canonicals to indicate to Google which version of a page should be indexed in order to avoid duplicate...
Google Aug 31, 2017
★★ Why doesn’t Google show you the rewritten titles in Search Console?
Search Console data for titles modified by Google is not yet available. Features may change in the future based on user feedback....
Google Aug 31, 2017
★★★ Is it really necessary to avoid massive changes during a website redesign?
When updating a website, avoid making massive changes all at once. Proceed in stages, for example by publishing updates section by section. Ensure that the old queries you were ranked for are still co...
Google Aug 31, 2017
★★★ Does Google really read the text in your images?
Currently, Google does not systematically analyze the text embedded in images for SEO. Therefore, it is essential not to rely on OCR to make your content visible in search results....
Google Aug 31, 2017
★★ Does Your Choice of Browser Actually Affect Your Google SEO Rankings?
John Mueller indicated during a hangout that to his knowledge, Google's relevance algorithm did not take into account the browser used by the user. Search results were supposedly the same on Chrome, F...
John Mueller Aug 28, 2017
★★★ What Does Google Do When Your Site Sends Conflicting Canonical Signals?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that when contradictory and/or conflicting signals are sent to Google regarding "canonical" tags (for example: an HTTPS URL containing a "canonical" tag pointing to t...
John Mueller Aug 28, 2017
★★ Can You Really Contact Google for Personalized SEO Support on Your Website?
A few days after Gary Illyes indicated on Twitter that he doesn't provide SEO support for specific sites privately, John Mueller said the opposite by approving a user asking if they could send him a p...
John Mueller Aug 28, 2017
★★★ What Does the "Expired" Status in Search Console's URL Removal Tool Really Mean?
John Mueller explained what the "Expired" status means in Search Console and the "Remove URLs" tool. This status indicates that no specific action is needed to deindex the page, as it is covered by a ...
John Mueller Aug 28, 2017
★★★ Does Googlebot Always Start Crawling from a Website's Homepage?
John Mueller indicated on Twitter that Googlebot generally crawls a site's homepage first, simply because it's the first page it finds. But that it's not mandatory....
John Mueller Aug 28, 2017
★★ Should you really avoid cramming multiple links in footers?
John Mueller recommends not to overload the footer with many links, as this may be perceived by Google's algorithms as over-optimization or keyword stuffing....
John Mueller Aug 25, 2017
★★★ How can you manage duplicate content between two sites without harming their indexing?
If you want to index two sites that share content, make sure each site has meaningful unique content. Otherwise, use canonical tags to indicate your indexing preference....
John Mueller Aug 25, 2017
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