John Mueller

★★★ Should You Split Your XML Sitemap Into Multiple Smaller Files Instead of One Large File?

John Mueller explained during a Reddit discussion that there is no ideal size for an XML Sitemap file. Generally speaking, he added that the size of this file does not influence the crawling of the si...

Nov 04, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should You Use Google's Change of Address Tool When Merging Multiple Websites?

John Mueller indicated on Twitter that the change of address tool in Search Console should only be used when changing the address of a website. However, when merging two or more websites, this tool is...

Nov 04, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Can 301 redirects really drop your rankings after an algorithm update?

301 redirects do not cause ranking drops after major algorithm updates. A site can lose visibility if the algorithms determine that its relevance for certain queries has changed....

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Is it true that hidden content in tabs and accordions is actually considered by Google?

In mobile-first indexing, Google treats loaded but hidden content, such as that behind a tab or dropdown menu, as ordinary page content, as long as it is already in the default HTML....

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Why does your site only appear in Google's omitted results?

The 'Show Omitted Results' link appears when Google detects multiple results with identical or nearly identical snippets. This means that we prefer to show only one version of these similar pages. If ...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Should you really use the URL removal tool to manage redirects?

The URL removal tool in Search Console should not be used for URLs that simply redirect, as it does not change indexing. Use it only if you must urgently prevent content from appearing in search resul...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Is it really enough to have great content and solid techniques to rank on Google?

For better visibility in search results, it's recommended to have a technically solid site and to create unique and attractive content that stands out in quality and meets user needs....

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Why does Search Console report mobile errors on pages that are otherwise compatible?

Search Console messages indicating mobile compatibility issues can be due to tests that intermittently fail. If your pages generally pass the mobile compatibility test, isolated issues may be caused b...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does Schema markup for the main object really determine the display of rich snippets?

In order for rich snippets to be displayed in search results, it is crucial to use Schema markup that matches the main object of the page. If the object is a poem, and that type only works with the 'c...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Why doesn’t Google always reward the best content?

If your site is objectively better than others in search results for a given topic, Google’s engineers may view this as a problem to solve. Ensure your site stands out significantly in quality compare...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do social signals really impact Google rankings?

Google does not rely on social signals such as Facebook 'likes' for ranking, mainly because of the volume and rapid variability of social content, making its update challenging....

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you be concerned about a high number of HTTP 410 statuses on your site?

A high number of URLs returning a 410 status has no negative impact on rankings. Over time, Googlebot is more focused on URLs returning a 200 status, but an increased number of 410s is neither a good ...

Nov 01, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Can You Safely Purchase a Penalized Domain Without Risking Your SEO?

Domains with previous negative links and histories can be used without fear, as long as problematic content is removed. Google focuses on the current state of the site....

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Does using noindex really decrease the crawl frequency of your pages?

Using noindex on certain pages may reduce their crawl frequency. Decide whether you want to keep a page always indexed, or use noindex if you are certain it won't add value for a long time....

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Which is better for effective geotargeting: a ccTLD domain or a language subfolder?

For geotargeting, using a country-specific domain (e.g., .de for Germany) or a language folder in a generic domain (.com/de) can be equally effective. The choice depends on the specific geotargeting n...

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does Google really customize snippets for every search?

Google can adjust the descriptions shown in search result snippets to better reflect the relevance of the page to the user’s search. This may include excerpts from the page content that do not directl...

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Is it really possible to remove a competitor's URLs from Search Console without owning the site?

URL removals in Search Console can be performed without being a verified owner of the site, but they require subsequent automatic verification to ensure that the removal was justified....

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really be worried about spam backlinks pointing to your site?

Spam backlinks generally shouldn't pose a major problem, as Google's algorithms often ignore them. Use the disavow tool if necessary to eliminate specific links you consider harmful....

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Why is it absolutely critical to preserve your URLs during a relaunch for your SEO?

During a site relaunch, it’s best to keep old URLs as much as possible. If URL changes are necessary, use appropriate redirects and provide sitemaps to help Google understand the modifications....

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really limit yourself to a single H1 per page?

Using multiple H1 tags on a page is not an issue for Google. The important thing is that the headings help structure the content and are used logically to describe the content of the sections on the p...

Oct 31, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available