How to Handle Website Issues in Google Search Console

TL;DR

To address website issues in Google Search Console, ensure proper setup of 301 redirects and account configurations. For malware warnings, clean the site and request a review. Consistency in site signals, such as canonical tags and language settings, is crucial for SEO. Regularly review and update disavow files for harmful links.

Transcript

JOHN MUELLER: Welcome everyone to today's Google Webmaster Central Office Hours Hangouts. My name is John Mueller. I am a Webmaster trends analyst here at Google in Switzerland. And part of what I do is talk with webmasters and publishers like the ones here in the Hangout. And if any of you here in the Hangout who are fairly new to the Hangouts wan... Read More

Key Insights

• 301 redirects should be set up correctly to ensure seamless transition between old and new URLs.
• Google Search Console requires both www and non-www versions to be listed in the same account for change of address.
• Malware warnings can take time to resolve; ensure the site is clean and request a review in Search Console.
• Consistent use of canonical tags and language settings helps Google understand site structure and intent.
• Google does not use terms of service or privacy policies for search ranking, but users may value this information.
• HTML sitemaps are optional if a site has a clear navigation structure and XML sitemaps are in place.
• Disavow files should be updated regularly to manage harmful backlinks, especially if URLs redirect.
• For large sites, consider using categories and subcategories instead of indexing all paginated pages.

Questions & Answers

Q: How to set up a change of address in Google Search Console?

To set up a change of address in Google Search Console, ensure both the old and new site versions (www and non-www) are listed in the same account. This allows Google to recognize your control over both sites. If 301 redirects are already in place, the change of address may not significantly impact the transition.

Q: Why is my site still showing malware warnings after cleaning?

Malware warnings can persist due to caching and re-indexing delays. Ensure your site is thoroughly cleaned of all malware and backdoor scripts. Request a review in Google Search Console under the Security Issues section. Google automatically re-checks sites for malware, but this process can take days or weeks.

Q: How does Google treat content hidden in tabs for SEO?

Google indexes content hidden in tabs but may not give it full ranking weight. If content is important, ensure it's visible when the page loads. This practice helps Google recognize the content's relevance and importance, potentially improving its ranking impact.

Q: What is the impact of using noindex and follow tags on pagination?

Using noindex and follow tags on pagination allows Google to follow links to individual pages without indexing the paginated pages themselves. This approach can help manage large sites with extensive pagination, ensuring important detail pages are indexed while reducing duplicate content issues.

Q: Are HTML sitemaps necessary if I have an XML sitemap?

HTML sitemaps are not necessary if your site has a clear navigation structure and XML sitemaps are in place. XML sitemaps help Google understand which pages are new or updated, while HTML sitemaps are more user-focused, aiding navigation.

Q: Does Google use terms of service for ranking?

Google does not use terms of service or privacy policies for search ranking purposes. However, these pages can enhance user trust and provide essential information. Google may extract structured data like addresses from these pages for display purposes.

Q: How to handle harmful backlinks with redirects?

When a disavowed URL redirects to a new domain, update the disavow file to include the new URL. Google treats the redirect as a new link, so disavowing the new URL ensures the harmful link is not considered in ranking calculations.

Q: How to improve site ranking with few backlinks?

Ranking a site with few backlinks is challenging, especially in competitive niches. Focus on creating high-quality, unique content that meets user needs. Optimize on-page SEO elements and leverage social media and other channels to build organic links over time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Proper setup of 301 redirects and Google Search Console configurations is essential for website transitions. Ensure both www and non-www versions are in the same account for change of address. Regularly update disavow files to manage harmful backlinks.

• Malware warnings can be persistent; ensure the site is thoroughly cleaned and request a review in Search Console. Consistency in signals like canonical tags and language settings helps Google understand and rank your site better.

• HTML sitemaps are not necessary if the site has a clear navigation structure. Google does not use terms of service or privacy policies for search ranking, but they can enhance user trust. For large sites, use categories to manage pagination.