English Google Webmaster Central office-hours hangout

TL;DR

John Mueller answers various SEO questions in a hangout session.

Transcript

JOHN MUELLER: All right. Welcome, everyone, to today's Webmaster Central Office Hours Hangouts. We just have two guests here. They're fantastic guests, though, so that's good. Maybe more of you will jump in later on as well. The link is in the description and in the comment field where you can leave questions. As always, a bunch of people submitted... Read More

Key Insights

• Engaging genuinely with online communities can help draw attention to your website, but it doesn't directly impact SEO.
• External links on a website are beneficial as they provide users with additional resources and improve the user experience.
• Google is working on addressing the presence of white-label sites in search results and ensuring quality is maintained.
• Structured data is primarily used for enhancing search features, and adding more types won't necessarily improve rankings.
• For websites with multiple URLs, Google Search Console provides limited data, but understanding user needs can guide improvements.
• Natural links are preferred over those acquired through link-building schemes, as they better reflect genuine user interest.
• Domain migrations can affect SEO, but following Google's guidelines can minimize disruptions.
• Google Discover favors content that aligns with user interests, and large images can enhance visibility.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the impact of engaging with online communities on SEO?

Engaging with online communities can help draw attention to your website and build awareness. However, it doesn't directly affect SEO since links from these platforms are often marked as 'no follow.' The key is to genuinely participate and provide value, which can lead to natural links from users who find your content valuable.

Q: Are external links beneficial for a website?

Yes, external links are beneficial as they provide users with additional resources and improve the overall user experience. They show that a website is well-researched and connected to other valuable content, which can enhance credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of users.

Q: How does Google handle white-label sites in search results?

Google is aware of the presence of white-label sites and is working on addressing the issue to ensure quality in search results. The approach involves understanding the primary topic of a website and focusing on it while handling affiliate or sales pages appropriately. It's a nuanced process that requires careful evaluation to avoid unintended consequences.

Q: What is the role of structured data in SEO?

Structured data is primarily used to enhance search features, such as star ratings or recipe displays. While it helps Google understand the relevance of a page, adding more types of structured data beyond what's required for specific features won't necessarily improve rankings. It's important to be reasonable and focus on what you want to achieve with the markup.

Q: How can a website appear in Google Discover?

To appear in Google Discover, a website should focus on creating content that aligns with user interests. Large images can enhance visibility, especially for AMP pages. For non-AMP pages, opting into Google's large image format is recommended. The key is to provide engaging content that matches what users might be interested in at any given time.

Q: What are the best practices for domain migration in SEO?

Domain migrations can affect SEO, but following Google's guidelines can minimize disruptions. It's crucial to ensure all redirects are properly set up and to follow a comprehensive checklist to avoid common pitfalls. While migrations can be smooth, they are complex and require careful planning and execution.

Q: What should be considered when building natural links?

Natural links are those that arise from genuine user interest in your content. To build such links, focus on creating valuable and engaging content that encourages users to link to your site naturally. Avoid link-building schemes that involve trading articles for links, as Google prefers links that reflect authentic endorsements.

Q: How does Google handle soft 404 errors?

Soft 404 errors occur when Google perceives a page as non-indexable, often due to error messages or redirects that suggest the page doesn't exist. It's important to ensure that pages return appropriate status codes and that content is accessible to avoid these errors. Addressing soft 404s can help maintain a site's SEO health.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Mueller discusses various SEO-related topics during a Google Webmaster Central office hours hangout. Topics include the impact of external links, the use of structured data for search features, and how Google handles white-label sites. The session provides insights into best practices for engaging with online communities and building natural links.

• The hangout session highlights the importance of user experience in SEO, with John Mueller advising against annoying pop-ups and emphasizing the value of external links for providing additional resources. He also touches on the complexities of domain migrations and the need for a cautious approach.

• Google Discover's content selection is based on user interests, with large images potentially improving visibility. The session also covers the limitations of Search Console data, the nuances of structured data, and the importance of maintaining quality in search results.