Office Hours hangout 2016-09-06

TL;DR

Discussion on SEO strategies and Google's ranking algorithms.

Transcript

BARRY: I do have-- I'd like to also ask a question, not update-related, won't drive you crazy, a pure SEO question, which I haven't done ever, I don't think. JOHN MUELLER: All right. Let me just say welcome, everyone, to today's Google Webmaster Central Office Hours Hangouts. Today we're using the new setup as a surprise. I hope everything works we... Read More

Key Insights

• SEO decisions such as whether to combine pages or keep them separate depend on competition and content relevance. Testing both methods can help determine the best approach.
• Google regularly rolls out updates, sometimes simultaneously, which can affect search rankings. Not all updates are announced individually.
• Rich snippets require technical accuracy, adherence to guidelines, and high site quality. Quality is algorithmically determined and not easily altered.
• For A/B testing, avoid using robots.txt to block pages. Use rel canonical to indicate preferred versions to Google.
• Duplicate content across sites should be managed using rel canonical to consolidate signals and avoid dilution.
• Interstitial penalties on mobile are due to their impact on user experience and page speed. There is no current plan for desktop penalties.
• JavaScript redirects can pass signals if implemented correctly. Direct script inclusion is preferable to external scripts.
• Google's evaluation of site quality involves multiple factors, and improvements should be based on feedback and guidelines.

Questions & Answers

Q: What should you do if you have similar content on two pages?

You should decide whether to combine the pages into one stronger page or keep them separate. This decision depends on the competition for the keywords and the unique value of each page. Testing both approaches can help determine the best strategy.

Q: Can you confirm if recent updates were Penguin-related?

The recent updates were not related to Penguin. Google rolls out numerous updates regularly, and not all are announced. Some updates may occur simultaneously, affecting search rankings.

Q: How can you ensure rich snippets appear in search results?

Ensure the technical implementation is correct, follow Google's guidelines, and maintain high site quality. Rich snippets are shown based on these factors, with site quality being algorithmically determined.

Q: What is the best way to perform A/B testing on content?

Avoid using robots.txt to block pages. Instead, let Google crawl both versions and use rel canonical to indicate the preferred version. This helps Google understand the relationship between the pages and index them correctly.

Q: How should duplicate content across sites be handled?

Use rel canonical to indicate the preferred version of the content. This helps consolidate signals and prevents dilution across multiple sites, ensuring the correct page is indexed.

Q: Why is the interstitial penalty only for mobile?

Interstitials are particularly problematic on mobile due to speed and UI issues. More people search on mobile, making it a priority. There is no current plan to extend the penalty to desktop, but it remains a possibility.

Q: How does Google handle JavaScript redirects?

Google can follow JavaScript redirects if they are implemented correctly. Direct script inclusion on the page is preferable to external scripts, as it allows Google to recognize the redirect without rendering the page.

Q: What factors does Google consider for site quality?

Google evaluates site quality using multiple factors, including content relevance, user feedback, and adherence to guidelines. Improvements should be based on external feedback and Google's quality guidelines.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The session covers various SEO-related questions, including how to manage similar content across different pages and the impact of Google's algorithm updates on search rankings.

• Participants discuss the importance of implementing rich snippets correctly and ensuring high-quality content to improve visibility in search results.

• The conversation includes insights into Google's handling of interstitials, JavaScript redirects, and the need for continuous quality improvements on websites.