What does Google say about SEO? /
John Mueller is one of Google's most active spokespeople on search engine optimization topics. As a Search Advocate, he regularly answers the SEO community's questions during Google Search Central sessions and on social media. His statements are a prime source of information for understanding how Google Search works and the best practices to follow.
Quick SEO Quiz

Test your SEO knowledge in 5 questions

Less than a minute. Find out how much you really know about Google search.

🕒 ~1 min 🎯 5 questions
★★★ Is it true that adding a second internal link to a page is pointless for SEO?
If a link already exists to a page, adding a second link to that same page offers no significant SEO advantage. The only possible effect is the expansion of anchor text, but this doesn’t create any is...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Should You Really Worry About Core Updates Without Clear Guidelines from Google?
Google does not provide specific recommendations for core algorithm updates (Core Updates). The general advice for updates applies, with no particular action needed for each update....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why do old URLs still show up after a migration?
After migrating URLs, a site: search might still display old URLs even if Google has already migrated the indexing. Google aims to be helpful by showing where the content used to be located. Checking ...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should you use canonicals for URLs with similar parameters?
For URLs with parameters that display similar content, it is recommended to use rel=canonical pointing to the clean URL. This helps Google understand which version to index and prevents the dilution o...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Does the URL removal tool really delete all versions of your site?
The URL removal tool removes all versions of a site (www and non-www). Removing one version automatically deletes all others, which can cause a site to completely vanish from the results....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How can you handle SEO reconsideration requests without active manual action?
A reexamination can only be requested if there is an active manual action. Without a visible manual action in Search Console, no reconsideration request is possible....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Do top summaries really affect SEO?
Adding a summary or key points at the top of content does not change anything for Google. The main possible effect is that Google might use this summary to generate the description in the results....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why can't you redirect and not redirect a URL at the same time?
You can't redirect a URL and not redirect it at the same time. With redirection, Google transfers the signals. Without redirection, the pages remain separate. Changing the site's structure requires ti...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How do mixed URLs impact your Core Web Vitals?
If the same URLs serve both public and private content (connected SaaS), Google will mix the Core Web Vitals data from both experiences. Separate URLs would allow for distinct grouping by Google....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why does Google prioritize real-world data for Core Web Vitals?
For page experience, Google uses real user data (field data), not laboratory tests. What truly matters are the experiences actually faced by visitors....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Are JavaScript redirections slower to process but still valid for SEO?
JavaScript redirections are accepted by Google. They may take a bit longer to be processed than server-side redirections, but they work correctly (location in JavaScript or meta refresh)....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why doesn't server-side rendering boost your SEO the way you think it does?
Server-side rendering only changes the way existing content is delivered. It's not a magical technique for improving keyword rankings, but it can enhance speed if properly implemented....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ What are the best ways to bounce back quickly from temporary server errors in SEO?
After temporary server errors, Google promptly re-crawls the most important URLs, and the situation generally normalizes in about a week. There are no lasting penalties following this type of incident...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Is it true that Google de-indexes after prolonged 5xx errors?
Google recommends a 503 code for a maximum of one day, sometimes two. After two days of server errors, Google begins to de-index URLs, starting with the most visible as these are the ones crawled most...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Is Hreflang really essential for international SEO?
Hreflang is not required for anything on a website. It simply helps Google recognize localized content. Translating content does not automatically increase visibility; significant work is still needed...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Should you be worried about migrating to JavaScript frameworks for SEO?
Migrating to React from HTML/PHP completely changes the front end of the site, which is a significant SEO change. The effects can be positive or negative; it's not automatically a loss of ranking....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Does changing your CDN really affect Google's crawling?
Changing the site's infrastructure (like the CDN) results in a decrease in the crawl rate. Google becomes conservative after an infrastructure change to avoid causing problems and then gradually incre...
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why are soft 404s on desktop hiding in Search Console?
Search Console displays soft 404s detected on mobile. If a page is considered a soft 404 only on desktop, it does not appear in Search Console, even if the page is not indexed for desktop searches....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why does Google treat soft 404s differently on mobile and desktop?
Google has a system that detects soft 404s separately for mobile and desktop. A page can be considered soft 404 on desktop but normal on mobile, creating different indexing based on the device....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Are Identical FAQs on Every Page Hurting Your SEO?
The issue arises when the same FAQs appear on all pages of a site, for example, on each hotel listing with the same generic FAQs. This becomes problematic in search results....
Jul 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
🔔

Get real-time analysis of the latest Google SEO declarations

Be the first to know every time a new official Google statement drops — with full expert analysis.

No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.