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Official statement

404 errors caused by phone links (href='tel:...') can be safely ignored or blocked via robots.txt. Their presence in Search Console does not negatively impact SEO.
16:47
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

⏱ 31:03 💬 EN 📅 30/11/2023 ✂ 16 statements
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Official statement from (2 years ago)
TL;DR

404 errors caused by tel: links have no impact on SEO. Google allows their blocking via robots.txt with no negative consequences. Focus your efforts elsewhere.

What you need to understand

Why Does Google Address Phone Links?<\/h3>

Phone links (tel:) are used to enable users to call directly from a website. However, their SEO management can raise questions. By mentioning them, Google clarifies that these 404 errors have no detrimental impact on indexing or ranking, alleviating a concern for SEOs.<\/p>

What is Google's Official Stance?<\/h3>

Google states that 404 errors for href='tel:' can be ignored without concern. You may also block them via robots.txt if it seems appropriate. The key point is that these links do not affect visibility in the SERPs.<\/p>

  • 404 errors from tel: links do not affect SEO<\/li>
  • Blocking possible via robots.txt<\/li>
  • No need to panic about their management<\/li><\/ul>

SEO Expert opinion

Does This Statement Truly Reflect Ground Reality?<\/h3>

On the ground, very few observations indicate that phone links actually affect the SEO of sites. This position aligns with typical practices, where attention is primarily focused on content and backlinks.<\/p>

Is the Impact of These Errors Truly Nonexistent?<\/h3>

In theory, according to Google, these errors are negligible for SEO. However, it remains wise to check how they appear in Search Console to ensure there are no underlying issues.<\/p>

Always check the Console to avoid unexpected errors elsewhere.<\/div>

Practical impact and recommendations

What Should You Do Practically?<\/h3>

Don't panic if you see 404 errors related to phone links. Clean up if it eases your management, but don’t make it an SEO priority. Consider using the robots.txt file to block them if justified.<\/p>

What Errors Should You Absolutely Avoid?<\/h3>

Don't waste time fixing these errors as if they were critical issues. Still, do not neglect monitoring your Search Console.<\/p>

  • Regularly check href='tel:' links<\/li>
  • Consult Search Console for other critical errors<\/li>
  • Use robots.txt if necessary<\/li><\/ul>
    Consulting a specialized agency can facilitate the management of complex technical aspects like this.<\/div>

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Les erreurs 404 des liens tel: affectent-elles le SEO ?
Non, Google confirme que ces erreurs n'ont pas d'impact sur le référencement.
Devons-nous bloquer les liens tel: via robots.txt ?
C'est une option possible, mais pas impérative selon Google.
Où vérifier les erreurs 404 des liens tel: ?
Consultez la Search Console pour surveiller toutes les erreurs.

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