What does Google say about SEO? /
Quick SEO Quiz

Test your SEO knowledge in 5 questions

Less than a minute. Find out how much you really know about Google search.

🕒 ~1 min 🎯 5 questions

Official statement

For job searches, inserting a job application button in view when visiting the site via search parameters does not pose a cloaking problem, as long as the content is not different between the search engine and the users.
15:44
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

⏱ 30:25 💬 EN 📅 01/09/2022 ✂ 12 statements
Watch on YouTube (15:44) →
Other statements from this video 11
  1. 1:33 How will Google's 'Helpful Content' update shake up SEO?
  2. 3:39 How can you create truly unique and impactful content for SEO?
  3. 3:39 Should you really focus solely on creating valuable content for users?
  4. 4:43 Should you keep using the hreflang tag after the Search Console update?
  5. 9:48 Are indexed redirect pages really a concern for your SEO?
  6. 11:21 Is it true that Google overlooks your redirects for the canonical version?
  7. 14:41 Why is mastering the FAQ format in SEO essential?
  8. 17:53 Are Pros and Cons structured data really unsuitable for product pages?
  9. 19:40 How can you effectively manage robots.txt and noindex for Google?
  10. 21:30 Why is the noarchive meta tag essential for SEO?
  11. 25:30 Is your page suddenly losing its SEO ranking?
📅
Official statement from (3 years ago)
TL;DR

Google clarifies that adding a job application button for job searches is not considered cloaking, as long as the content remains the same for both search engines and users. Just ensure that the content does not change between the SERP and the end user.

What you need to understand

What does Google really say about cloaking?

Google clearly specifies that adding a job application button in job search results is not considered cloaking, provided the content remains the same between search engines and users. This is a clarification aimed at avoiding confusion about what might constitute cloaking in a specific context.

Why is this distinction important?

Cloaking is generally perceived as a deceptive technique in SEO. By clarifying this exception, Google allows sites to secure their interface without risking their ranking. This shows an evolution of rules to adapt to the practices of job sites.

  • Cloaking remains prohibited except for exceptions.
  • Ensure that the presented content is the same for Google and the user.

SEO Expert opinion

Does this statement align with observed practices?

Usually, cloaking is strictly penalized by Google. The exception for job sites seems logical and is in line with the evolution of online services. However, remain cautious, as this tolerance could be misinterpreted.

What nuances should be considered?

Google specifies that the content should not change — a concept that could leave room for interpretation. When in doubt, it's recommended to ensure that any crucial information is visible and identical for both users and the engine. [To be verified] Existence of specific cases where this rule would not apply remains to be clarified.

Caution: Maintaining content consistency is essential.

Practical impact and recommendations

What should you do in practice?

Ensure that the job application button and all associated information are visible and identical for both users and Google. Review your pages and check the consistency of displayed content.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Never hide information from Google that would be visible to users. Even with this exception, cloaking remains a dangerous practice if misinterpreted by Google's algorithms.

How can you ensure your site’s compliance?

Test your pages using Google's tools to see how they appear in search results. This will allow you to correct any discrepancies before they affect your ranking.

  • Check content consistency between Google and the user.
  • Use validation tools to check your pages.
  • Train your team to avoid unintentional cloaking.
These SEO optimizations can be complex. Consider consulting a specialized agency for tailored support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Puis-je ajouter n'importe quel contenu sans cloaking ?
Non, seul le bouton de candidature dans un contexte d'emploi est exempté, sinon respectez la règle de constance du contenu.
Pourquoi Google autorise-t-il cette exception ?
Pour faciliter les interactions utilisateurs sans pour autant compromettre l'intégrité des résultats de recherche.
Quelles conséquences si je ne respecte pas cette règle ?
Des techniques de cloaking pourraient vous coûter votre place dans les SERP, avec des pénalités sévères à la clé.
🏷 Related Topics
Content AI & SEO JavaScript & Technical SEO Penalties & Spam

🎥 From the same video 11

Other SEO insights extracted from this same Google Search Central video · duration 30 min · published on 01/09/2022

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube →

Related statements

💬 Comments (0)

Be the first to comment.

2000 characters remaining
🔔

Get real-time analysis of the latest Google SEO declarations

Be the first to know every time a new official Google statement drops — with full expert analysis.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.