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Official statement

For languages like Thai or Chinese that do not use spaces, Google utilizes a system called a segmenter that divides character strings into searchable words in the index.
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

💬 EN 📅 27/05/2021 ✂ 12 statements
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Official statement from (5 years ago)
TL;DR

Google employs a segmentation system called a segmenter to index languages without spaces, like Thai or Chinese. This means that content in these languages should be optimized with this segmentation in mind for effective indexing.

What you need to understand

Why does Google use a segmenter for certain languages?

Languages like Thai and Chinese do not have spaces between words, complicating their processing by traditional search engines. To address this specificity, Google uses a segmenter that divides character strings into segments or words. This process makes them searchable and thus improves their indexing.

  • Languages without spaces require a special approach for indexing.
  • The segmenter helps transform the strings of these languages into detectable words.

    What is the impact on the indexing of these languages?

    The main impact of the segmenter is a more precise indexing of content in languages like Thai and Chinese. Thanks to this technology, relevant words can be better identified, hence optimizing their presence in search results.

    • Improved indexing of content without spaces.
    • Increased accuracy in search results.

SEO Expert opinion

Is this statement consistent with observed practices?

Absolutely, SEO professionals have noted that content in Thai and Chinese can appear more accurately in Google's results. This corroborates the use of a segmentation system. The need for segmentation in languages without spaces is not new, but it is good to see Google acknowledge and clarify it.

What nuances should be added?

Although this technology is convincing on paper, its effectiveness heavily depends on the accuracy of the segmenter. The exact effectiveness of segmentation can vary from case to case and is not always perfect. This requires ongoing optimization of submitted content.

Be cautious of potential limitations of the segmenter in specific cases.

Practical impact and recommendations

What should be done concretely?

For content in languages like Thai or Chinese, it is crucial to check that Google's segmenter properly interprets your content. Regularly test snippets and search performance.

  • Analyze the performance of your keywords in these languages.
  • Validate the consistency of the segments with your SEO objectives.

    What mistakes should be avoided?

    Avoid assuming that all content will be segmented correctly. Some complex phrases may pose problems. Ensure that superficially inconsistent words are not overlooked.

    How can I verify that my site is compliant?

    Use tracking tools and performance dashboards to monitor how your keywords are indexed in these languages. Trial and error methods can reveal much about the necessary optimization.

    Optimizing for languages without spaces requires careful monitoring and regular adaptation. Engaging a specialized SEO agency could facilitate the execution of these complex strategies.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Pourquoi le segmenteur est-il nécessaire pour certaines langues ?
Les langues comme le thaï et le chinois n'utilisent pas d'espaces, nécessitant une approche spéciale pour segmentation et indexation.
Comment peut-on vérifier l'efficacité du segmenteur ?
Surveillez les performances des mots-clés et effectuez des tests pour valider la bonne segmentation de Google.
Quels risques si le segmenteur échoue ?
De mauvaises segmentations peuvent entraîner une indexation incorrecte, nuisant au référencement des contenus.
🏷 Related Topics
Crawl & Indexing JavaScript & Technical SEO International SEO

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