What does Google say about SEO? /

Official statement

The sitelinks displayed under a main result cannot be configured through structured data. They are automatically generated by Google based on titles, internal structure, and anchor texts. Optimizing these elements helps achieve better sitelinks.
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

💬 EN 📅 10/06/2021 ✂ 14 statements
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Official statement from (4 years ago)
TL;DR

Google automatically creates sitelinks without the need for structured data. They rely on titles, internal structure, and anchor texts. Optimize these components for better results.

What you need to understand

Why does Google use this method for sitelinks?

Google aims to provide useful and contextually relevant results to users. Automatic sitelinks are a way to showcase relevant internal pages of a site without manual intervention. The algorithms analyze the content in depth.

  • Based on the analysis of titles and anchor texts.
  • Consideration of the site's internal structure.
  • No manual configuration required through structured data.

What factors influence the generation of sitelinks?

Google's algorithms examine several aspects of a site to determine which sitelinks to display. Indirectly, this suggests that internal linking and the clarity of your titles influence the outcome.

  • Optimization of titles and anchor texts.
  • The importance of internal structure.

SEO Expert opinion

Is this statement consistent with observed practices?

Yes, the fact that Google promotes the indirect optimization of sitelinks is a commonly observed reality in daily SEO practice. Well-structured sites with clear architecture often display more relevant sitelinks. However, this also relies on ongoing testing by Google to maximize user experience.

What nuances should be considered?

It’s tempting to believe that only manual optimizations guide positioning, but here Google is clear: direct human intervention is not possible for sitelinks. It requires a constant effort on existing content. [To be verified], some field observations might indicate a correlation between certain advanced SEO practices and the appearance of sitelinks.

In which cases does this rule not apply?

Be cautious, for very new or poorly structured sites, sitelinks may not display at all. This rule mainly applies to sites that already meet sufficient size and authority criteria.

For these particular cases, it is recommended to enhance the user experience above all.

Practical impact and recommendations

What concrete actions should be taken?

Focus on a solid internal structure and clear titles. Each page should have a clearly defined intent, and link anchors should be strategically placed. This may potentially boost your chances of achieving better sitelinks.

  • Review and optimize page titles.
  • Improve the internal linking.
  • Ensure that anchor text is clear and relevant.

What mistakes should be avoided?

Avoid overloading your pages with keywords, which could dilute relevance. Don’t complicate your URLs without careful consideration.

  • Do not overlook the quality of the content.
  • Avoid generic anchors.

How can I verify that my site is compliant?

Use Google Search Console to identify pages linked as sitelinks and adjust accordingly. Also, monitor user experience indicators.

Adopting these practices is an important step, and if optimization feels complex, consider collaborating with a specialized SEO agency to refine your strategies.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Les données structurées sont-elles inutiles pour les sitelinks ?
Pour les sitelinks, oui. Google ne s'appuie pas sur elles ici.
Peut-on influencer directement les sitelinks ?
Pas directement, mais optimiser titres et structure interne reste essentiel.
Toutes les pages peuvent-elles obtenir des sitelinks ?
Non, Google choisit les pages qu'il considère pertinentes.
Quel impact a le maillage interne sur les sitelinks ?
Il améliore la lisibilité de vos pages par Google, favorisant les sitelinks.
Peut-on supprimer un sitelink non désiré ?
Non, vous ne pouvez contrôler cela directement via les outils Google.
🏷 Related Topics
Domain Age & History Content AI & SEO Links & Backlinks Pagination & Structure

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