What does Google say about SEO? /
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping search engine optimization and Google's algorithms. This category compiles Google's official statements regarding AI usage in search, including machine learning technologies, large language models (LLMs), and new generative search experiences like SGE and AI Overview. SEO practitioners will find Google's positions on how AI-generated content (ChatGPT, Gemini, Bard) impacts website rankings and organic visibility. Google has clarified its guidelines concerning artificial intelligence for content creation, distinguishing acceptable practices from manipulative techniques that violate search quality standards. Understanding these official declarations is crucial for adapting SEO strategies to algorithmic evolutions, particularly with the increasing integration of machine learning into ranking systems. This category also covers the impact of AI-generated answers in SERPs, E-E-A-T quality criteria applied to AI-assisted content, and recommendations for maintaining organic search presence in the era of generative search. Essential insights include how Google evaluates content quality regardless of production method, focusing on helpfulness and user value rather than creation process. A must-follow resource for staying ahead in modern search engine optimization.
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★★ Does technical compliance really ensure good SEO?
Even if a practice is technically compliant, one must ask whether it is really useful for the user. If multiple identical sites appear, the user might confuse them with phishing and refrain from click...
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Is Google really struggling to differentiate between subdomains and main domains?
Google may have trouble distinguishing whether a subdomain is a separate site or part of the main domain. It's advisable to clarify the structure and use canonical tags if necessary to indicate the re...
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Should you really remove all URL parameters from your pages?
It is recommended to minimize the use of unnecessary URL parameters and adopt a clear URL structure. Unused parameters should not remain in the URL to improve crawl management....
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Should You Really Ignore Unresolved Errors in Search Console?
If a server error has already been resolved in reality but remains displayed in Search Console, it has no negative impact on rankings. Only the actual error matters....
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Is Local Reputation Enough to Trigger Geolocalized Ranking?
To ensure a site appears in local search results, you must work on the site's online reputation in that geographical area, not just on technical optimization....
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★★ Should you really be worried about having multiple sites with similar content?
Having multiple sites with similar content is not automatically viewed as spam. What is important is to adhere to webmaster guidelines. Sites should be assessed individually for guideline violations....
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Should you worry about persistent resolved 5xx errors in Search Console?
If 5xx server errors have been fixed but persist in Search Console, there is no negative impact on the site. The display in Search Console may take time to update....
Google Apr 22, 2021
★★ Why are your impressions so low in the Search Console?
If you observe a significantly lower number of impressions than expected for certain queries, it's generally a sign that your site was only visible for a small portion of the total impressions....
John Mueller Apr 21, 2021
★★★ Why do your Google rankings change based on who is searching and where they are?
You won't always see the same ranking when checking for yourself, usually due to personalization, geographic targeting, or temporary visibility in search results....
John Mueller Apr 21, 2021
★★★ How does Google really calculate average position when multiple URLs rank for the same query?
The average position is calculated based on the highest position of a URL from your site. If multiple URLs from your site appear in the search results, Google uses the one that is ranked highest to ca...
John Mueller Apr 21, 2021
★★ Why do your Search Console data fluctuate so much from one query to another?
The metrics in the search performance report are based on real search results, but these real results can vary greatly from one search to another....
John Mueller Apr 21, 2021
★★★ Why Does Google Ignore CSS-Displayed Images for Indexing Purposes?
John Mueller reminded us on Twitter that Google only indexes an image if it is displayed using an <img> tag. Images displayed via CSS (particularly background images) are not taken into account, nor a...
John Mueller Apr 19, 2021
★★★ Should You Split Your YMYL and Non-YMYL Content Across Two Separate Websites to Improve Your SEO?
We're familiar with the concept of "YMYL: Your Money, Your Life" sites and their significance, particularly during recent Google "core updates," in the realm of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Tr...
John Mueller Apr 19, 2021
★★★ Do Core Web Vitals Really Take 28 Days to Impact Your SEO Rankings?
John Mueller explained in a webmaster hangout that Core Web Vitals "scores" (LCP, CLS, FID) would not be calculated in real-time (unlike filters such as Panda or Penguin, for example) starting next Ma...
John Mueller Apr 19, 2021
★★★ Are Expired Domain Redirects Really Ignored by Google?
Buying expired domains and redirecting them to your site is an old tactic that Google can recognize. By default, Google's algorithms try to ignore these redirects. If it’s too integrated into the site...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
★★★ Is UX really a Google ranking factor or just a side effect?
Google does not have a pure 'user experience' ranking factor, but rather elements related to it: the page layout algorithm (meaningful unique content above the fold vs. ads) and Core Web Vitals (loadi...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
★★★ Can you really use review structured data for reviews copied from a third-party site?
If you copy reviews from a third-party site and display them on your own site (with permission), you can treat them as testimonials but cannot use 'review' structured data. Review structured data can ...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
★★ Can you really combine noindex and canonical without SEO risks?
Theoretically, using noindex and canonical together is contradictory because it states that the pages are equivalent but must be treated differently. In practice, this causes no issues. If internal in...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
★★ Should you really focus on optimizing entire pages instead of individual passages?
Passage ranking helps Google identify important parts of very long pages. However, it is essential to continue optimizing the entire page, not just individual sections. For SEO-optimized sites, it may...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
★★★ Should you really optimize the entire site to rank a single page?
Google primarily looks at the page for ranking purposes, but always in the context of the entire site. To effectively rank a particular page, you need to improve the overall site, particularly the int...
John Mueller Apr 16, 2021
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