English Google Webmaster Central office-hours hangout

TL;DR

John Mueller answers questions about site architecture and search updates.

Transcript

all right welcome everyone to today's Google Webmaster central office hours hangouts my name is John Mueller I know webmaster trends analyst here at Google in Switzerland and part of what we do are these office hour hangouts where people can join in and ask any questions around their website and Google search a bunch of questions were submitted alr... Read More

Key Insights

• Site architecture can be structured in various ways, such as topical silos, and experimentation is key to finding what works best for SEO.
• Google's broad core updates are algorithmic changes that can affect site rankings, and webmasters should focus on improving site quality.
• The new Google Search Console link report is more accurate due to changes in data calculation, which may show fewer links.
• Using the disavow tool in Search Console can help ignore unwanted backlinks, especially if there are concerns about negative SEO.
• Structured data like reviews and offers must be implemented correctly to appear in search results, and site quality is a factor.
• For sites targeting different regions, hreflang annotations can help indicate the correct version of content for specific users.
• Temporary server errors like 503 during planned maintenance are acceptable, but prolonged downtime should be avoided.
• Using 301 redirects is recommended for HTTP to HTTPS migrations to ensure a smooth transition and signal passing.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the best way to structure a website in the legal niche?

For a legal niche website, a topical silo structure can be effective. This involves organizing content into main categories like car accidents and medical malpractice, with subtopics under each. Experimentation is key to finding what best supports SEO and user engagement.

Q: How does Google handle broad core updates?

Broad core updates are algorithmic changes that can affect site rankings. They are not targeted at specific sites but reflect changes in how Google evaluates content. Webmasters should focus on improving content quality and not panic about temporary ranking fluctuations.

Q: Why are there fewer links in the new Search Console link report?

The new link report in Google Search Console is more accurate due to changes in data calculation. This may result in fewer links being shown compared to the old report. The focus is on providing cleaner and more reliable link data.

Q: When should the disavow tool be used?

The disavow tool in Search Console should be used when there are concerns about unwanted backlinks negatively impacting a site's SEO. This includes scenarios of negative SEO or when a previous SEO strategy involved questionable link-building practices.

Q: Are reviews and offers being removed from search results?

No, reviews and offers are still shown in search results if structured data is implemented correctly. However, site quality and adherence to guidelines are crucial. Rich results may not always be displayed if they clutter search results visually.

Q: How can I manage duplicate content for international sites?

Using hreflang annotations helps manage duplicate content for international sites by indicating which content version is relevant for specific users. This is particularly useful when targeting different regions with similar content.

Q: What is the impact of temporary server errors on SEO?

Temporary server errors like 503 during planned maintenance are acceptable and do not negatively impact SEO if they are short-term. However, prolonged downtime can lead to indexing issues, so it's important to minimize downtime and use proper status codes.

Q: What is the recommended redirect for HTTP to HTTPS migration?

A clean 301 redirect is recommended for HTTP to HTTPS migration. This helps Google understand the transition as a site move, allowing for smooth signal passing and minimizing potential ranking disruptions. Other redirect types may complicate the process.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John Mueller discusses various aspects of site architecture and how different structures can impact SEO. He suggests trying out different approaches to see what works best for a particular site. The focus should be on high-quality content and strategic decisions.

• The Google Search Console has introduced a new link report that is more accurate due to changes in data calculation. Webmasters may notice differences in the number of links reported. Mueller advises on using the disavow tool to manage unwanted backlinks.

• Mueller addresses the impact of Google's broad core updates on site rankings, emphasizing that these changes are algorithmic. He advises webmasters to focus on improving site content and quality rather than worrying about temporary ranking changes.