John Mueller

★★★ Should you really return a 404 or 410 for expired job postings?

For pages of expired job listings, it is appropriate to return a 404 or 410 status. The indexing API can also be used to indicate that a job is no longer available....

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does structured data really impact Google rankings?

Using structured data helps Google better understand the entities and relationships on a page, thus improving search relevance. Including numerous types of structured data can be beneficial, but it wi...

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really include external links on your website?

Having links to other websites on your site is beneficial. It helps users by providing sources or options to learn more about a given topic....

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Can a domain migration really take place within 48 hours without losing rankings?

When moving a site to a new domain, if everything is set up correctly, it may only take one or two days for the transition to be complete without significant impact on rankings....

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does lazy loading really kill your image indexing?

To use deferred image loading without affecting indexing, adopt research-compatible deferment methods, such as the specific Chrome attribute for lazy loading....

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Can low-quality external links really contaminate your entire site?

If a part of a site contains low-quality external links, it can harm the perceived quality of the entire site. This includes, for example, subdomains or affiliated pages that do not stand out in terms...

Jun 28, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do structured data really guarantee rich snippets for your recipes?

Correctly implementing structured data is essential for the appearance of rich snippets. Google also evaluates the overall quality of the site to determine the ability to display rich snippets....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do the medical certifications of authors really influence the ranking of health content?

Adding information about authors' qualifications, such as medical certifications, can enhance user trust and help Google's algorithms recognize the reliability of health information....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Does site speed really affect Google’s algorithm updates?

During updates, Google did not specifically target performance in June, but speed is an important factor, especially for mobile devices. The emphasis on performance could increase in the future....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ How can you speed up the removal of unnecessary content from Google?

The process of bulk de-indexing can take time, especially for content that is rarely explored. Adding noindex directives can accelerate de-indexing....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Should you really disavow spam links, or is Google taking care of it for you?

Google is effective at ignoring spam links, and typically, there is no need to disavow them. However, for added security, using a disavow file can be considered....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do new Internet protocols really boost your SEO?

Technologies like new Internet protocols can enhance site speed, which is a ranking factor for Google, especially on mobile. Google recommends adopting them if it improves user experience, but with ca...

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Are new result formats really accessible everywhere?

Some search result formats, such as those for podcasts, may be geographically limited during their initial rollout phase and gradually expand....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ How many redirects does Google actually follow before giving up?

Google handles multiple redirects by following up to five redirects at once. Beyond this number, processing can be segmented to slowly check later redirects....

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Why does Google only show part of your structured data in the Search Console?

Google only presents structured data that has visible effects on search results, rather than all structured data present on a page. For data that does not impact results, it is generally not reported ...

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do the deep pages on your site really impact your overall SEO success?

Google considers the overall quality structure of a site, giving more weight to pages that are more visible and directly accessible from the homepage. However, this does not mean that deeper or less d...

Jun 27, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Do illustrative images really affect your SEO ranking?

Illustrative photos are acceptable but do not affect rankings in standard web searches. They are less effective for image searches because Google prefers originality....

Jun 25, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★★ Should you really be concerned about the length of meta descriptions?

There is no recommended ideal length for meta descriptions. Google does not penalize pages with long meta descriptions, and these do not directly affect ranking....

Jun 25, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Should you set a default language on your homepage to boost your SEO ranking?

Choosing a default language for your homepage does not necessarily guarantee a better ranking in that language. However, the homepage often holds more weight due to its external links, which can indir...

Jun 25, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available

★★ Can Hidden Content in Accordions Really Appear as Featured Snippets?

John Mueller explained on Twitter that content present in an accordion or tab (and therefore potentially visible upon user action but hidden by default) could appear in featured snippets (whereas this...

Jun 25, 2019 ⚡ Analysis available