English Google SEO office-hours from May 6, 2022

TL;DR

John Mueller’s May 6, 2022 Google SEO office-hours answers practical questions about web components, FAQ schema, republished content, JavaScript, WordPress, canonical tags, spammy backlinks, and ranking drops. He recommends testing web components with Search Console’s URL Inspection tool and keeping FAQ-marked questions and answers visible to users. Read on for specific guidance across all eight SEO topics.

Transcript

all right hi everyone and welcome to this episode of the google search central seo office hours hangout my name is john mueller i'm a search advocate on the search relations team uh and our job is partially to help answer questions from site owners that come up uh all around their websites and around search uh so like last time we're trying things ... Read More

Key Insights

• Web components can be used for SEO if tested properly using tools like Search Console to ensure Google can render the content.
• Using FAQ schema across different sections of a blog post is acceptable as long as the content is visible to users.
• Republishing your own content is not considered plagiarism, but strategic content creation is recommended to avoid doorway pages.
• JavaScript reliance is not inherently problematic for SEO, but user-friendliness should be considered for better user experience.
• The platform used (HTML or WordPress) does not inherently affect SEO; focus should be on content quality and user experience.
• Canonical tags help guide Google on preferred URLs, but Google may choose different URLs based on its evaluation.
• Spammy backlinks pointing to 404 pages are ignored by Google; disavow tools can help manage unwanted links.
• Technical issues are unlikely to cause sudden ranking drops across multiple domains; broader SEO strategies should be evaluated.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can web components be used for SEO?

Yes. Google can process most JavaScript used to implement web components, but site owners should test their pages with Search Console’s URL Inspection tool. Check both the screenshot and rendered HTML to confirm that Google can detect the important content.

Q: Can FAQ schema mark up questions and answers in different parts of a blog post?

Yes, the questions and answers do not need to appear in a traditional FAQ list or the same section. Both must be visible to users on the page. The markup makes a page eligible for FAQ snippets, but those snippets are not guaranteed to appear in search results.

Q: Is republishing your own content considered plagiarism?

No, reusing your own content is not considered plagiarism. However, content should be created strategically so that similar republished pages do not become doorway pages. Consolidating closely related material into one useful article may be a better approach.

Q: Is relying on JavaScript a problem for SEO?

JavaScript reliance is not inherently a problem because Google can process JavaScript. Site owners should still test whether Google can render and detect the important content. The implementation should also remain user-friendly.

Q: Does choosing HTML or WordPress inherently affect SEO?

No, using HTML or WordPress does not inherently determine SEO performance. Google evaluates the resulting pages, so content quality and user experience matter more than the platform. If posts are not indexing well, examine the site’s content and overall value.

Q: Why might Google show both canonical and non-canonical URLs in search?

A rel=canonical tag signals which URL the site prefers, but it does not guarantee that Google will select that URL. Google may choose another URL based on its own evaluation. Check that the canonical tags consistently point to the intended pages.

Q: What should a site owner do about spammy backlinks?

Google ignores spammy backlinks that point to 404 pages. The disavow tool can help manage unwanted links, including links from malicious domains. Site owners should also keep their attention on improving content quality.

Q: Can technical issues cause a sudden ranking drop across multiple domains?

Technical issues are unlikely to explain a sudden ranking drop across multiple domains. Broader SEO strategy, content quality, and user experience should also be evaluated. Minor technical changes alone are less likely to restore overall visibility.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Mueller discusses the use of web components in SEO, emphasizing the need for testing with tools like Search Console to ensure proper rendering by Google. He also addresses the use of FAQ schema across different sections, highlighting the importance of content visibility.

• The session covers the topic of republishing content, suggesting a focus on strategic content creation to avoid doorway pages. JavaScript reliance is discussed, with an emphasis on ensuring user-friendliness for better user experience.

• Mueller explains that the platform used (HTML or WordPress) does not inherently affect SEO; instead, content quality and user experience are crucial. He also addresses spammy backlinks and the use of canonical tags, providing guidance on managing these aspects effectively.