John Mueller

★★★ Does AMP really boost your ranking in Google, or is it just a myth?

Using AMP to improve page speed is smart, but it does not offer any SEO ranking boost. AMP should be seen as a way to speed up page loading, not as a magical obligation to enhance rankings in search r...

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Can rel=canonical really enhance your visibility if your content exists elsewhere?

Using the rel=canonical attribute can help designate a preferred version of content, thereby enhancing its visibility in search results, especially in cases of content duplication across multiple site...

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does publishing the same content across multiple sites kill your SEO?

Publishing identical content on multiple sites leads Google to select just one for ranking, which can result in the invisibility of other identical versions....

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does internal linking really circulate PageRank across your pages?

Internally, Google passes PageRank among the pages of the same site. Internal links play a crucial role in the discovery and significance of content....

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Does the order of H1, H2, H3 tags still affect your SEO?

HTML headings help Google better understand the context of content on a page, but the order of H1, H2, H3 doesn't have a direct impact on rankings. It's more about providing information about the asso...

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really implement a 301 redirect every time you change an URL?

When changing URLs on a website, it is strongly recommended to use 301 redirects to guide users and bots to the new pages, thereby maintaining SEO continuity....

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Is loading speed really a key ranking factor?

Page loading speed is a ranking factor. Improving speed can benefit SEO, but it's just one of many factors considered by Google....

Dec 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ How Does Google Really Process Your XML Sitemap Files?

John Mueller explained on Reddit that Google processes XML sitemap files like an "energy drink effect": "All XML sitemap files from a site are imported into one large common cup where they are mixed, ...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do keywords in URLs really impact your SEO?

Keywords in URLs have an insignificant role for web pages, but they are often used for convenience in content management systems. However, for image files, keywords are helpful. For example, a descrip...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do Blog Comments Carry as Much SEO Weight as Main Content?

John Mueller explained during a hangout that comments on a blog are of course read by the search engine, and that this text is part of the "main content", as if it were a continuation of the article, ...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does the difference between 301 and 302 redirects really matter for SEO?

A 301 redirect is permanent, signaling that the final destination is kept, while a 302 redirect is temporary, indicating that the original URL will be checked back later. Use the appropriate type, but...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ How Does Google's Machine Learning Really Determine Canonicalization Criteria Weights?

The same John Mueller explained during a webmaster hangout an example of how Google can use machine learning algorithms: "So, for example, we use machine learning for canonicalization. We have all the...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really focus on both technique and content to rank in SEO?

There is no secret to improving your SEO ranking. However, having a website based on a solid technical foundation with exceptional content is essential. Compare this to making the best cookie: you mus...

Dec 23, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do non-Latin characters in URLs really affect SEO?

Using escaped characters from non-Latin alphabets in URLs does not affect SEO. Google interprets these URLs equivalently, whether they are escaped or not....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does the format of JSON-LD—graph or snippets—really affect your rankings?

There is no difference in terms of SEO whether the structured data is coded as a JSON-LD graph or separate snippets, as long as they can be correctly interpreted....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Why does an old URL still show up in Google after a redirect?

When Google follows a redirect, the destination page is deemed valid, and an old URL might still show up in search if explicitly accessed, for example via a site:oldurl.com request....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Can you really combine multiple structured data schemas on the same page?

It is acceptable to have multiple types of structured data on a page, such as for an e-commerce site and a local business....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ How is machine learning really changing Google's ranking criteria?

Google employs machine learning to adjust certain aspects of its algorithm, such as the weighting of signals for URL canonicalization. This does not make the algorithm completely opaque, as weights an...

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does Google really diminish the value of your backlinks when you overhaul your content?

Google does not reduce the value of existing links following significant content updates, except for expired domains where the site is perceived as new....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ How does standing out from the competition truly affect your SEO?

In competitive sectors, it is crucial to stand out, not only through content but also through the overall offer one presents to attract and retain visitors....

Dec 13, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available