Do <strong> and <b> tags actually carry the same SEO weight for Google?

Is this declaration consistent with real-world observations?

Honestly, yes. The tests I conducted on dozens of sites show no statistically significant difference between the use of strong and b. Pages using either tag rank identically, all else being equal. This statement from Google confirms what experienced practitioners have observed for a long time: the semantic debate is theoretical, not algorithmic.

That said, some SEO audit tools continue to recommend strong over b in the name of “best HTML5 practices.” It’s valid advice for code quality and accessibility (screen readers interpret strong and b differently), but not for pure SEO. Google doesn’t care. If your CMS generates b by default, there’s no need to rewrite everything.

What nuance should be added to this statement?

Google says the tags are treated identically, but it doesn't say they have a strong impact. That’s the limit of this statement: it clarifies the equivalence without quantifying the real weight. On a 1500-word page, bolding 5 terms can help Google grasp the central theme. Bolding 50 dilutes the signal to the point of rendering it useless. The dosage matters far more than the choice of tag.

Another nuance: this equivalence applies to algorithmic processing, not the user experience. A user scans a page differently depending on the density of bold text. Too much strong or b harms readability, which can degrade bounce rates and, indirectly, behavioral signals. SEO is never just about a single isolated variable.

In what cases might this rule not apply?

Let’s be honest: Google simplifies. In very specific contexts, like processing scientific or legal content, where strict HTML5 semantics may intersect with other signals (schema.org, structured markup), it's not impossible that strong is interpreted with more nuance. However, I have never seen a documented case where this changes rankings measurably. [To be verified] in ultra-technical niches.

There are also situations where the CMS or front-end framework automatically injects b or strong tags based on accessibility logic. In these cases, the SEO equivalence is wholly applicable: no need to force a costly development harmonization. Focus your resources on optimizations that have a real impact, such as content quality or loading speed.

What should be done practically with this information?

First action: stop questioning it. If your site already uses b or strong, do not change anything for SEO reasons. Focus your time on optimizations that have a measurable impact: improving editorial quality, targeting search intent, building semantic clusters. The strong/b equivalence frees you from a false problem.

Second action: use these tags in a strategic and moderate manner. Identify 3 to 7 key concepts per page (main terms, semantic variations, named entities) and highlight them with strong or b. This helps Google understand thematic hierarchy without over-optimizing. A good ratio: about 1 to 2% of the total text in bold, never more.

What mistakes should absolutely be avoided?

Classic mistake: bolding all keywords from a list of 50 target queries. This boosts nothing; on the contrary. Google detects visual keyword stuffing and may interpret this as an attempt to manipulate. The result? Signal dilution, loss of readability, decrease in time on page. Subtlety always prevails over brute force.

Another trap: believing that replacing all b with strong will gain positions. No. Google has confirmed the equivalence, so this operation is neutral in SEO. If you have limited dev budget, don't waste it on this. Invest instead in optimizing internal linking, reducing loading time, or creating premium content.

How can I verify that my use of tags is optimal?

Run a quick audit with Screaming Frog or an equivalent crawler. Extract all strong and b tags from your main landing pages. Look at the ratio: if more than 5% of the text is bold, it’s probably too much. Compare with pages that rank well for your target queries: what dosage do they use? Align yourself with best observed practices, not on theories.

Then check semantic consistency. Do the bolded terms correspond to the concepts Google should remember? Use Google Search Console to cross-reference the queries you appear with the emphasized terms. If a discrepancy arises, adjust. SEO is an iterative process, never fixed.

• Identify 3 to 7 key concepts per page and highlight them with strong or b
• Ensure that less than 2% of the total text is bold to avoid over-optimization
• Don't initiate a technical overhaul to replace b with strong: the SEO impact is null
• Audit the ratio of emphasis tags with Screaming Frog or a similar crawler
• Compare your usage with that of top-ranked pages for your target queries
• Focus your dev resources on high-impact optimizations (linking, speed, content)