English/Hindi Google Webmaster Central office-hours hangout

TL;DR

Webmasters discuss indexing, duplicate content, and mobile site issues.

Transcript

ASHISH KALSI: OK, first Diwakar, we just take your question that you put in the comments, and then we'll start with other questions in the Q&A. So your question basically is, I have a few pages on my website which have a list of colleges-- of MBA colleges in India-- then another page with lists of engineering colleges, and then another page with li... Read More

Key Insights

• Webmasters are concerned about duplicate content issues, especially with internal search pages and college listing pages.
• Google does not consider pages with different content as duplicates, even if the content is similar but ordered differently.
• Canonical tags are crucial for managing duplicate content and ensuring the correct page ranks in search results.
• Paginated pages should use rel prev and rel next attributes to help Google understand the page sequence.
• Backlinks remain a key ranking factor, but spammy or purchased links are against Google's policies.
• Mobile site optimization is essential, with HTTPS being recommended for both desktop and mobile versions.
• Google's Fetch as Google tool can help diagnose crawling and indexing issues.
• Content remains the most important factor for ranking, with user experience and relevance being critical.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Google treat pages with similar content but different ordering?

Google does not consider pages with different content orders as duplicates. If the content varies slightly or is ordered differently, Google treats them as separate pages. The search results may show the most relevant page based on the user's query.

Q: What can be done to ensure a curated page ranks higher than a dynamically generated search page?

To prioritize a curated page, use canonical tags to signal its importance to Google. Additionally, ensure that the curated page is linked from the search results page, and focus on improving the page's content and relevance to user queries.

Q: Why might Google rank a component page instead of a parent page?

If Google ranks a component page over a parent page, it may be due to the component page being more relevant to the user's query. Ensure canonical tags are properly set, and analyze the content and links to understand why the component page is favored.

Q: How does Google handle dynamic content loaded via JavaScript?

Google can now render pages using JavaScript and CSS to see the content as a user would. Ensure that related resources are crawlable by Googlebot to ensure dynamic content is indexed properly.

Q: Is it beneficial to create a View All page for paginated content?

Yes, creating a View All page is generally beneficial as it provides a single page with all content, making it easier for users and Google to access the full content. Ensure the page loads quickly to maintain a good user experience.

Q: How should mobile site transitions be managed when URL structures differ?

Use canonical and alternate tags to signal the relationship between desktop and mobile pages. Redirects should be properly set up, and it's recommended to use HTTPS for both versions to provide a secure experience.

Q: How does Google treat sidebar content compared to main content?

Google prioritizes main content for relevance but will consider sidebar content if it is more relevant to the user's query. It's important to focus on user experience and ensure relevant content is easily accessible.

Q: What should be done if a mobile site is incorrectly indexed under HTTPS?

Ensure that redirects are set up correctly and that canonical tags are in place to signal the correct mobile version. Use Google's tools to verify how the site is being indexed and address any discrepancies.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The hangout addressed concerns about duplicate content, particularly with internal search results and listing pages. Google representatives clarified that pages with different content orders are not considered duplicates.

• Canonical tags and rel prev/next attributes are recommended for managing paginated content and ensuring the correct pages rank in search results. Backlinks are important but should be legitimate.

• Mobile site optimization, including the use of HTTPS, is crucial for better ranking. Google's Fetch as Google tool can help diagnose issues, and content quality remains the top priority for search rankings.