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.
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🕒 ~1 min 🎯 5 questions
★★★ Should you really disavow all your incoming links?
The link disavowal tool is only useful if the site has a manual action or risks one. Disavowing links from low-authority sites or common spam links has no positive effect....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Does the frequency of keywords really make a difference in SEO?
Google does not use the number of times a keyword is repeated on a page as a ranking factor. Natural writing resolves this automatically. It's important not to focus on exact keywords, their singular/...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why does Google limit the data collected on Search Console?
There is a limit to the number of data points that Search Console collects per site and per day. For very large sites, creating sub-properties can provide more detailed data on specific sections of th...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How do pagination and breadcrumbs shape Google's understanding of your site?
Google employs pagination and breadcrumbs to gain a better understanding of a site's internal structure. Removing these elements changes how Google perceives the architecture of the site....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should you be concerned about the 28-day update delay for Core Web Vitals?
Core Web Vitals field data takes 28 days to update in Search Console. It is possible to use Google Analytics with an additional script to track your own field data in near real-time....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Are Late 301 Redirects Really Effective in Preserving SEO Authority?
If the old content still exists and a copy is created on a new URL, Google can automatically transfer the signals even without a redirect. If the content is deleted and then moved, Google loses the si...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Is it true that Google doesn’t differentiate between WordPress pages and posts in SEO?
Google doesn't recognize the difference between pages and posts in WordPress. This distinction exists only within the CMS. Google simply sees HTML pages with content and analyzes their internal linkin...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why isn't A/B testing considered cloaking by Google?
A/B testing is not considered cloaking as long as the page's purpose remains the same. Googlebot must also be included in the test. Modifying colors, layout, or calls to action is acceptable, but comp...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should Googlebot really ignore cookie consent banners?
Googlebot does not need to see a cookie consent banner because it does not retain cookies. It is acceptable not to display this banner to Googlebot. The key point is that Googlebot should not be block...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Should you really worry about foreign spam links in Search Console?
Spam links displayed in Search Console, particularly in Japanese, Chinese, or Arabic, can be ignored if they were not placed intentionally. Google automatically ignores these types of links that have ...
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should you worry about domain age for SEO?
Google does not use domain age or domain expiration date as ranking factors. These elements are not taken into account by the ranking algorithms....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Should you worry about private WHOIS information for your SEO?
Google does not check if WHOIS information is private or public. Some registrars and TLDs have everything private by default, making this data unusable for comparisons or ranking factors....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Does the word count really matter for SEO rankings?
Google does not use the word count for SEO at all. The length of an article is an internal editorial decision. There is no correlation between longer content and better rankings....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why does Google rely on field data for Core Web Vitals rankings?
For ranking based on Core Web Vitals, Google uses field data from real users, not lab data from tests. Field data reflects the actual user experience across different devices and connections....
Jun 04, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How Does a Sitemap Really Enhance Your SEO Strategy?
A sitemap file helps Google crawl your site more effectively, which is the main reason why its use is recommended....
Jun 01, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How can deleting a sitemap through HTTP codes transform your SEO strategy?
You can also remove the sitemap file from your site so that it returns a 404 or 410 HTTP code. Over time, Google's systems will stop trying to use this particular sitemap file....
Jun 01, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why is a sitemap essential for optimizing your SEO?
A sitemap file assists Google in discovering new and slightly updated pages more quickly. This is why Google generally recommends using a sitemap....
Jun 01, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Does removing a sitemap truly have no effect on the crawling of your URLs?
Removing a sitemap file does not prevent the crawling of the URLs that were specified in that sitemap. The sitemap just helps in crawling more efficiently....
Jun 01, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How can deleting a sitemap in Search Console impact your SEO?
<p>To remove a sitemap in Search Console, navigate to the Sitemaps menu, click on the relevant sitemap file, then click on the three-dot menu in the top left and select 'Remove sitemap'. Google will t...
Jun 01, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How Do Redirects Actually Impact Your Core Web Vitals Scores?
John Mueller indicated during a webmaster hangout that redirecting one URL to another will also transfer the Core Web Vitals scores (LCP, FID, CLS) before they are recalculated for the new URL......
May 31, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
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