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Official statement

Links from noindex pages generally hold little value. Google can crawl these pages, but the interpretation of outbound links is subjective. If Google considers the page not to truly exist, the links may be ignored.
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

💬 EN 📅 10/06/2021 ✂ 14 statements
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Other statements from this video 13
  1. Why doesn't Google penalize duplicate content?
  2. Is it true that Google prefers duplicate content over short content?
  3. Does duplicate content really harm your SEO?
  4. How Does Google Handle Duplicate Content Across Different Websites?
  5. How does Google automatically recognize synonyms and gender variations in search algorithms?
  6. How do brand searches truly impact SEO?
  7. Is author authority really a game changer for SEO?
  8. Is it true that mobile-first indexing doesn't demand strict mobile optimization?
  9. Should you really worry about the Page Experience Update when it comes to rankings?
  10. Is the URL Parameter Tool Really Reliable for Controlling Crawling?
  11. How can you effectively differentiate between using robots.txt and noindex for your SEO?
  12. How can temporary links from your homepage enhance your SEO strategy?
  13. How does Google really generate sitelinks without structured data?
📅
Official statement from (5 years ago)
TL;DR

Links from noindex pages have little effect. Google may ignore them if the page is perceived as non-existent. Using these links won't improve your ranking.

What you need to understand

What impact do noindex pages have on SEO?

Pages with a noindex tag should not influence your site's positioning in search results, as Google tends to overlook these pages.

  • Outbound links from these pages hold little value.
  • Google may choose to ignore this content.
  • It may impact the structure of internal links if mismanaged.

    Why does Google interpret links differently?

    Google makes a subjective interpretation of links, especially those coming from noindex pages. This means that these links could be completely ignored in certain contexts.

    This approach is dictated by the perception that these pages do not genuinely exist in the public index.

SEO Expert opinion

Does this align with current SEO practices?

It is commonly accepted in the SEO community that links originating from noindex pages have little effect on SEO. What John Mueller confirms here aligns with common field observations.

Are there notable exceptions?

Yes, if a noindex page has numerous quality inbound links, it could still indirectly influence its perception by Google. [To be verified] This situation remains rare but not impossible, especially in very specific niches.

Keep in mind: the impact of links is primarily contextual.

Practical impact and recommendations

How can I optimize my use of noindex pages?

Keep noindex pages for non-essential content that you do not want to appear in search results.

Avoid relying on links from noindex pages for your backlinking strategies.

  • Evaluate the importance of each noindex page.
  • Ensure that your internal link structure does not weaken because of noindex pages.

    What mistakes should I avoid?

    Do not set key pages for your SEO to noindex. This could prove counterproductive.

    SEO optimizations related to noindex tags require particular attention and a well-thought-out strategy. This is often where external help, like from a specialized agency, can be crucial.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Les pages noindex influencent-elles le SEO?
Non, elles n'influencent pas le classement car Google peut ignorer les liens sortants.
Google crawle-t-il les pages noindex?
Oui, Google peut crawler ces pages mais elles ne participent pas au ranking.
Les liens internes depuis des pages noindex sont-ils utiles?
Ils sont généralement peu utiles, car Google peut choisir de les ignorer.
🏷 Related Topics
Domain Age & History Crawl & Indexing AI & SEO Links & Backlinks

🎥 From the same video 13

Other SEO insights extracted from this same Google Search Central video · published on 10/06/2021

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