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
★★ Does 100vh really cause indexation problems for your hero images?
Using 100vh (100% of the viewport height) for hero images can cause problems with the Inspect URL tool due to viewport expansion used during rendering. However, the content remains accessible in the D...
Jul 24, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Could strict HTML and CSS separation be the missing piece in your indexation strategy?
There exists a fundamental principle of the web: content must be in HTML and presentation in CSS. Crawlers and accessibility tools parse HTML for content, not CSS. Violating this principle can prevent...
Jul 24, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why aren't your CSS background images ever showing up in Google Images?
Images loaded via CSS background-image are considered decorative. If an image is integral to your content (product photo, infographic referenced in text), it must use an <img> or <picture> tag to be p...
Jul 24, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Is CSS ::before and ::after content really invisible to Google?
Content added via CSS pseudo-elements ::before and ::after does not appear in the DOM and will therefore not be taken into account by crawlers and accessibility tools. This content should only be used...
Jul 24, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Do CSS class names really affect your search engine rankings?
CSS class names have no effect on search engine optimization. They are simply identifiers used to assign styling rules to HTML elements. You could name them all 'blurb' without any SEO impact, though ...
Jul 24, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Does hreflang really block geographic access to your website?
The hreflang attribute does not block or restrict access to a website from other countries. It is a signal for language and regional targeting by search engines, not a geographic access restriction....
Jul 16, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Is your website still essential in the age of generative AI?
Despite the emergence of generative AI and chatbots, having a quality website remains essential. These tools often rely on existing web content and do not replace a website, particularly for e-commerc...
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why do some SEO optimizations take months to deliver results?
Simple modifications like text changes are visible quickly, but larger strategic changes require time. A good SEO must be able to monitor and regularly explain the progress being made....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Are Google's Search Essentials really the ultimate SEO rulebook you need to follow?
Search Essentials (former webmaster guidelines) define what should and shouldn't be done in SEO. Knowing them helps ensure that an SEO service provider respects Google's best practices....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Are all #1 ranking guarantees really SEO scams?
If an SEO expert promises specific rankings or guarantees a top position for certain keywords, it's a red flag. No one can manually manipulate Google rankings....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should you only hire an SEO expert once you can actually measure the ROI?
The right time to hire an SEO expert is when you can concretely measure the value of SEO for your company and you're ready to invest a portion of the benefits obtained into this expertise....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Why can't you rely on staging environments to validate your SEO improvements?
Unlike technical tests, staging sites don't allow effective SEO testing because you generally don't want search engines to index them. SEO testing must be done on the production site....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Is it really safe to search for your own website on Google without getting penalized?
It is not prohibited to search for your own site in Google to check whether the changes you made (such as modifying the title) have been taken into account....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ How long does it really take for a content change to show up in Google search results?
For a small website (homepage and a few pages), content changes should be reflected in search results within approximately one to two weeks....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Why does Martin Splitt place such strong emphasis on installing Search Console and measurement tools?
It is necessary to configure Search Console and a measurement system (analytics or similar) to track SEO performance and understand whether changes have a positive impact on your site's objectives....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Can small websites really test freely without major SEO risks?
For small businesses, it's possible to test different content approaches without fear of severely damaging the site. Changes can be tested over a few weeks to evaluate their impact....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should small businesses really give up on generic search queries?
You need to be honest with yourself about the feasibility of ranking for certain terms. Highly competitive generic terms are unrealistic for small businesses—it's better to target more specific and lo...
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★★ Should you really be asking your customers to shape your SEO strategy?
An effective method to develop a content strategy is to ask existing customers directly how they found you, what they were looking for, and where they performed their searches....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Is searching your domain name on Google really enough to verify your site's technical health?
To verify that your site is technically sound, search your site by its name and domain name in Google. If results appear, the technical configuration is probably acceptable....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
★★ Are popular CMS platforms like WordPress really enough for serious technical SEO?
For small businesses using common CMS platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, the technical foundation is generally solid and allows you to focus more on content creation....
Jul 10, 2025 ⚡ Analysis available
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