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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★★★ Can Spelling Mistakes Actually Hurt Your SEO Rankings?
John Mueller, once again, states that Google is rather lenient with typos, provided that the overall quality of the site is up to par. This statement is a response to a question asked by an internet u...
John Mueller Sep 12, 2023
★★★ Does Your Website's Language Affect Google Penalties?
John Mueller confirmed that Google can penalize any site, regardless of its language, adding that quality content is not a matter of language either: "manual actions and algorithm changes are independ...
John Mueller Sep 12, 2023
★★★ Should You Really Avoid Google Sites for Your SEO Strategy?
During the September 2023 SEO Office Hours, John Mueller stated that Google Sites were not the ideal solution for SEO. While sites created through this service can be indexed by Google, they can also ...
John Mueller Sep 12, 2023
★★ Should you really worry about 404 errors generated by JSON and JavaScript in Google Search Console?
404 error URLs appearing in Google Search Console that seem to come from JSON or JavaScript code can be ignored, or you can add an HTTP noindex header for these URLs....
Gary Illyes Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Should you stop forcing indexing when Google deindexes your pages?
If pages are deindexed after submission, it means Google's systems aren't convinced of your site's value. Don't keep forcing indexation, but instead work on your site's overall quality and its unique ...
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Do you really need text on category pages to rank well in Google?
Don't create low-quality auto-generated text repeated across all your category pages. Add content that users will actually find useful, not content because you think Google requires it....
Gary Illyes Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Should you really optimize INP if it's not (yet) a ranking factor?
Interaction to Next Paint (INP) is not yet part of the Core Web Vitals. While improving INP can help user experience, you shouldn't expect to see a visible change in your search ranking....
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★ Can infinite scroll really work for SEO when each section has its own unique URL?
Infinite scroll can work correctly for Googlebot if each virtual page section is also accessible and discoverable via a unique URL. Implementation is the key....
Gary Illyes Sep 06, 2023
★★ Should you really clean up every hacked page or let Google handle the sorting?
After a hack affecting thousands of pages, focus on the most visible pages and have them removed or reindexed manually, then let the rest naturally disappear from search results....
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Why does Googlebot ignore your buttons and how can you work around this limitation?
Generally speaking, Googlebot does not click on buttons. Links must be accessible via standard HTML elements rather than requiring user interaction....
Gary Illyes Sep 06, 2023
★★ Does Google really expect you to block indexation of menus and common site sections?
It is not necessary to block the indexation of common page content such as headers, menus, sidebars or footers. Search engines handle the web as it is, including voluminous mega menus....
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★ Does semantic HTML really impact your Google rankings?
Using semantic HTML correctly can help search engines better understand a page's content and context. Clearly marking headings is a sign that your content matches that heading, facilitating comprehens...
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Are guest posts really banned by Google for building backlinks?
Using guest posts to obtain backlinks violates Google's anti-spam policies. These links must be marked with the rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored" attribute to signal that they do not affect search res...
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★ Is your low-quality content actually hurting your SEO rankings?
If you're publishing low-quality content on your site, you can either delete it or fix it. Ask yourself whether this content fills a gap on the web and provides significant value, or if it's simply co...
Google Sep 06, 2023
★★ Can PDFs hosted on Google Drive actually be indexed by Google search?
Google can index public PDF files hosted on Google Drive. It's simply another URL on a website, and the indexing delay can vary from a few seconds to never....
Gary Illyes Sep 06, 2023
★★★ Does Google Really Render Every Page Before Indexing It?
On X, Martin Splitt stated that if a page had been indexed, it meant that it had undergone rendering. The Google Search Relations team member also added that this applied to all pages, with the except...
Martin Splitt Sep 05, 2023
★★★ Do Google's Core Updates Really Affect Search Suggestions?
On X, in response to a question asked by a user, Danny Sullivan indicated that Core Updates had no impact on what Google displayed in the predictions or suggestions of its search engine....
Google Sep 05, 2023
★★★ Should You Slow Down Your Page Load Time to Boost Your SEO?
On LinkedIn, Liam Fallen published a joke about a myth that Google has debunked numerous times: "If your site loads too fast... consider slowing it down. Why? Users will have to wait longer for your p...
John Mueller Sep 05, 2023
★★★ Does Your Business Email Domain Actually Affect Your Google Rankings?
On Reddit, John Mueller stated that using business emails with a different domain name has no impact on a website's search engine rankings....
John Mueller Sep 05, 2023
★★ Does Folder Order in Your URLs (/services/paris/ vs /paris/services/) Actually Impact Your SEO?
On Mastodon, a user asked John Mueller whether placing /services/ before /location/ in a URL structure mattered for SEO purposes. He responded that it should not play any particular role: "I don't thi...
John Mueller Sep 05, 2023
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