What does Google say about SEO? /
Martin Splitt is a Developer Advocate at Google, specializing in JavaScript rendering and modern web application indexing. He created the 'SEO Mythbusting' video series and regularly explains how Googlebot handles JavaScript frameworks. His statements are essential for developers looking to optimize the SEO of their applications.
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🕒 ~1 min 🎯 5 questions
★★★ Is it true that JavaScript-loaded content remains invisible to Googlebot?
If the main content of a page is loaded only after a user clicks and is not present in the initial HTML, Googlebot will not see it. Clickable elements must be actual links with HREF pointing to URLs c...
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Could HTML Buttons Be Undermining Your SEO Efforts?
HTML link elements (<a>) without HREF attributes act like buttons. Googlebot doesn't click on these elements, so it can't access content that is only revealed after interaction. Use real links with HR...
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How can you ensure that every URL in your SPA is properly indexed by Google?
For single-page applications, each URL must load enough consistent content that is visible to Googlebot. If the content is revealed progressively, you should either create distinct URLs for each level...
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How Does the Compatibility of the Beacon API with the WRS Influence Your SEO Tracking?
The Beacon API, POST, and Fetch requests work effectively within Google's Web Rendering Service (WRS). Developers can utilize these APIs to track Googlebot's behavior during rendering....
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How can you ensure that content beneath the viewport is acknowledged by Google?
To test if content loaded via Intersection Observer further down the page will be visible to Google, use the Rich Results Test with the desktop crawler, as it allows viewport expansion unlike mobile t...
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Are Google’s Testing Tools Truly Reliable for SEO?
There are slight differences between Google’s testing tools (Mobile-Friendly Test, URL Inspection Tool) and the actual indexing process. For example, viewport expansion is not activated in mobile tool...
Sep 22, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Is lazy loading truly beneficial for your SEO?
Lazy loading can be used without violating Google's guidelines. For images and iframes, use the loading='lazy' attribute. For other content, utilize the Intersection Observer along with a structured p...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why should you steer clear of dynamic rendering in SEO?
Dynamic rendering is not a violation of cloaking, but it is still discouraged as it adds technical complexity and risks of failure. It's better to prefer server-side rendering, which also benefits use...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why should you prioritize server-side rendering for SEO?
For new projects, favor server-side rendering over dynamic rendering. This provides advantages to users as browsers quickly parse the initial HTML, unlike JavaScript content that requires prior downlo...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Is it essential to paginate URLs for infinite scrolling?
For infinite scroll content using Intersection Observer, provide a structured set of URLs with pagination (slash-1, slash-2 or ?page=1, ?page=2) and include these URLs in the sitemap to ensure full in...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Does Googlebot Really Crawl Mainly from the USA?
The majority of Googlebot's visits come from the United States. For geo-dependent content loaded via JavaScript, keep in mind that Googlebot will see the American version of the content....
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why does Googlebot disregard personalization and private content?
Googlebot is not logged into websites and behaves like a user who has never visited the site. Content that relies on personalization or is behind a login will not be visible to Googlebot....
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How is the Core Web Vitals report from Search Console transforming the way we identify slow pages?
In Search Console, the Core Web Vitals report shows which pages are slow. For pages with insufficient data, use PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to identify excessive JavaScript....
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Do 100% JavaScript sites really pose a problem for SEO?
For Google Search, sites that are entirely dependent on JavaScript do not really pose a SEO problem. However, they are discouraged from a user experience perspective as they are more fragile and may b...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Should you abandon JavaScript for optimal SEO performance?
Pages that do not rely on JavaScript are usually more robust, stable, and faster. Avoid total dependence on JavaScript without a truly valid reason, particularly for traditional e-commerce websites....
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why is the Mobile-Friendly Test considered more reliable than DevTools for SEO?
DevTools with the Googlebot user-agent only changes the HTTP string but maintains standard Chrome parameters. The Mobile-Friendly Test uses the actual Googlebot infrastructure and rendering, making it...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Does Google's indexing infrastructure really have more time than testing tools?
<p>Google's indexing infrastructure uses batch processing, providing minutes or hours to crawl resources and retry multiple times. Testing tools must limit wait time to a few minutes, leading to 'othe...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ How is Google's new URL Inspection Tool transforming the way we analyze indexed content?
In Search Console, use the URL Inspection Tool and then 'View Crawled Page' to see the actual rendered HTML indexed by Google. It's an alternative to the cache operator, which doesn't work well for Ja...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Do JavaScript frameworks really affect SEO?
Google makes no distinction between React, Angular, or other JavaScript frameworks when it comes to SEO. There is no SEO advantage to using one framework over another or migrating everything to a sing...
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Do you really need to optimize JavaScript for SEO on WordPress?
WordPress sites typically do not require specific JavaScript SEO optimizations. Instead, carefully examine WordPress themes that often load unnecessary resources that slow down the site....
Sep 09, 2021 ⚡ Analysis available
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